PROPOSAL A PLAN TO HEAL IMO LAND Presented to Imo State Transition Technical 22 July, 2019 22 July, 2019 Mazi Chinedu Opareke Secretary, Imo State Transition Technical Committee. Dear Sir, A PLAN TO HEAL IMO LAND I am Nze Allwell Chukwuemeka Onwukwe, a Diala of Amuzu New Afor in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, A graduate of Andrews University, Berrien Springs Michigan 49104 and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Landscape Horticulturists. The Managing Director of Nature's Corner Limited. My garden is at Grace Land Estate along Egbeada Road, Owerri. On the 18th day of April I submitted this short document to your committee on how we can heal the land of Imo State. I have practiced Landscape Horticulture for over thirty years. Some of the lucky Eucalyptus trees you see in the Government House as you drive from control post were planted by me during the time of Governor Ekwueche. I am a friend of the earth. DETAILS OF THE ISSUE AND PROBLEMS Imo State especially the capital Owerri is very sick. For the past eight years, the complex set of relationship and connections between man and the environment especially plants has been almost totally destroyed. Environmental problems in Imo State today are manifestations of the disharmony between the Government activities and the environment. Anyone who has lived in Owerri before the coming of the outgoing Government will notice that Owerri is now hotter than some of the cities in the North. The positive impact of Ornamental horticulture on the city of Owerri has been carelessly removed and destroyed. Legally Bounded Initiative of Natures Corner Limited Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail,com The present environmental situation and earth challenge requires redefining strategies for environmental management that are sustainable and are in conformity with national and international development efforts. Study by Baiyewu, Amusa and Olayiwola (2005) revealed lack of public awareness and ignorance of ornamental plants in our environment. Therefore, we must inform and educate our people to love and protect green plants, Certainly, you can see the climate change in Owerri because Governor Okorocha Anayo destroyed the cathedral of nature that other Governors especially Ikedi Ohakim erected. Trees are said to be the lungs of the earth. They are really upside-down lungs; their trunks are equivalent to the trachea, their branches to the right and left main bronchi and alveoli or air sacs, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place. Trees are therefore an organic necessity to the biological health of Imo state. As we fill the air with carbon dioxide and destroy the ozone layer with man made chemicals, trees offer an excellent means of buffering these effects. Forests, jungles, tress, plants…. Produce the oxygen we breathe. They are the lungs of the Earth If we destroy them, we destroy ourselves. Legally Bounded Initiative of Natures Corner Limited Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail,com INTRODUCTION The present environmental situation and earth challenge requires redefining strategies for environmental management that are sustainable and are in conformity with national and international development efforts. THE PRESCRIPTION FOR A CURE 1. To provide enough planting materials, government can create a FLOWER VILLAGE where all the practicing Horticulturist in Imo State will be relocated. The flower village will be a tourist attraction point, and a revenue yielding venture and can employ over 1000 youths. 2. Government should be keen on issues that relate to the environment, especially about saving the earth. Government should call on individuals cooperate organizations to development in a unsustainable manner, because in doing that we are saving ourselves and our unborn children while exploring several avenues to a healthier future for Imo people and Nigeria. 4. Government should be focusing on green landscaping and beautification of our towns, cities and communities for a healthier future. Government should reclaim all the open spaces that are converted to residential buildings. The destruction of Ama J.K. Park is a catastrophy, there shall be open spaces and parks, according to the original master plan. To tackle the challenges of climate change Government should through the ministry of commerce/Industry development a programme called the Territorial Approach to climate change - TACC, this programme is meant to reduce the vulnerability of our local communities to the impacts of climate change and develop a low carbon and climate resilient economy that is otherwise known as the Green Economy. This programme has come up with notable quick win projects such as turning household kitchen waste to biogas for cooking, thereby reducing the rate of tree cutting for fire wood. For the programme of greening, Landscaping and beautification of our towns and villages to be sustained, there is the dire need for aggressive sensitization campaigns to bring about an attitudinal change towards the maintenance of green areas, parks and gardens Legally Bounded Initiative of Natures Corner Limited Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail,com The prescription for a cure The government should provide enough planting materials and making planting of ornamental plants and trees a culture. Secondly, create a FLOWER VILLAGE where all the practicing Horticulturist in Imo State will be relocated. The flower village will be a tourist attraction point, and a revenue yielding venture and can employ over 1000 youths. An example is the picture above of the Flower-Village-in-the-Dubai-MiracleGarden. Legally Bounded Initiative of Natures Corner Limited Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail,com The prescription for a cure Government should be keen on issues that relate to the environment, especially about saving the earth. Government should call on individuals cooperate organizations to stop engaging in development in an unsustainable manner, because in doing that we are saving ourselves and our unborn children while exploring several avenues to a healthier future for Imo people and Nigeria. Government should be focusing on green landscaping and beautification of our towns, cities and communities for a healthier future. Legally Bounded Initiative of Natures Corner Limited Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail,com The prescription for a cure The Government should also reclaim all the open spaces that are converted to residential buildings. The destruction of Ama J.K. Park is a catastrophe, there shall be open spaces and parks, according to the original master plan. To tackle the challenges of climate change Government should through the ministry of commerce/Industry development a program called the Territorial Approach to climate change - TACC, this program is meant to reduce the vulnerability of our local communities to the impacts of climate change and develop a low carbon and climate resilient economy that is otherwise known as the Green Economy. This program has come up with notable quick win projects such as turning household kitchen waste to biogas for cooking, thereby reducing the rate of tree cutting for fire wood. Legally Bounded Initiative of Natures Corner Limited Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail,com The prescription for a cure The Imo Schools Climate Clubs- IMSCC For the program of greening, Landscaping and beautification of our towns and villages to be sustained, there is the dire need for aggressive sensitization campaigns to bring about an attitudinal change towards the maintenance of green areas, parks and gardens. We shall approach this awareness creation and sensitization campaigns in the form of workshops and training within our local television adverts. There is a unique model, which we will adopt. This is the creation of clubs in our schools. This will be called the Imo Schools Climate Clubs- IMSCC, IMSCC is expected to breed young and dynamic climate change advocates that will serve as change agents in their schools and immediate environment. The club will embark on tree planting campaigns in their schools and communities, Legally Bounded Initiative of Natures Corner Limited Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail,com Conclution AS We catch them young and develop a culture of environmental friendliness and environmental sustainability, beautification and landscaping and urban renewal, we are not only fighting the dreaded monster of environmental degradation and climate change but we are promoting a healthier future for the next generation, Thanks very much. We have what it takes to make Imo Great and Beautiful. Yours Ready to Help Nze A.C. Onwukwe MNKH Legally Bounded Initiative of Natures Corner Limited Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail,com July 29-31, 2019 THANK YOU PRESENTED BY Nze A.C. Onwukwe MNKH Tel: 08037096948 E-mail: emonwukwe@gmail.com July 29-31, 2019 Grace Land Estate along Egbeada Road, by Regime Gas, Plot Pf1, Nworie Pocket Lane, Owerri. 08037096948
