Cardinal Arinze plants symbolic tree to kick off Ojukwu Universityone-million tree planting campaign

By Ononye VC
In it’s spirited effort to join the global village in tackling climate change challenges,the management of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University on Thursday hosted the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments,Vatican City,His Eminence,Francis Cardinal Arinze who planted the first symbolic tree to flag off the tree planting campaign.
The Cardinal who was received by the Ag.Vice Chancellor of the University,Professor Azuka Kate Omenugha was accompanied by the Bishop of Aguleri Diocese Most Rev Denis Isizoh,Rev Fr (Prof) Nicholas Akwanya, Secretary to the Cardinal,Rev Fr Anthony Ezeugo and a host of other priests.
While planting the tree,Cardinal Arinze blessed and prayed over it and also beseeched God to bless the university for its growth and excellence.
While addressing the Cardinal,the Ag Vice Chancellor of the university,Prof Kate Omenugha said the tree planting was the university’s ambitious effort to fight climate change and is being taken seriously by the university management, students and entire community.She named the plants,”Tree of Hope and Faith”.
Later in a thanksgiving mass presided over by the Cardinal,Most Rev Denis Isizoh in his introductory remarks eulogized the Cardinal describing him as a man of achievements with enviable records who is richly blessed at 92 years.
In his brief homily,the Cardinal pointed out the significance of the Holy Spirit to Catholics which he said,keeps the church united in faith and guides then in sharing the love of Christ.
While delivering the vote of thanks,the Ag Vice Chancellor,Professor Kate Omenugha described the Cardinal as a model who the students should look up to attain their goals.
As one of the highlights of his visit,a citation was read on the Cardinal after which he delivered a lecture titled,”Promoting social responsibility and ethical conduct”.
It would be recalled that that the governor of Anambra State,Professor Chukwuma Soludo during the week donated 100,000 nursery palms to the university to help fight challenges of climate change.