ZESPRONET embarks on major tree planting project at ABSU; Inaugurates new EXCO at July AGM

An elite association of alumni of Abia State University (ABSU), known as Zenith Environmental and Social Protection Network (ZESPRONET ), on June 13, 2024, commenced one of its largest legacy projects so far at their Alma Mater.

On that historic day, members of the association started a major tree planting campaign at the Uturu Campus of the University. They are planting over 600 trees, including tropical trees like Delonix, Cassie and Tiger, to help with erosion prevention and environmental protection. They are also planting different types of palm trees for aesthetics and beautification.

According to a statement by Boris Emeka Oji, MD/PHD, the out going International President of ZESPRONET, the project is a fulfilment of the promise made to the Vice Chancellor of ABSU, Prof O M Ogbulu, during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja in 2022.

He said they had, during the AGM promised the Vice Chancellors of ABSU and Imo State University (IMSU) who attended the meeting that they would execute projects that would positively impact the students of the institutions as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Late in 2023, they fulfilled their promise to IMSU by donating lap top computers worth over N8million, and have now commenced fulfilment of their promise to ABSU to plant trees that would help check the erosion ravaging the institution as well as beautify the environment.

Before now, he stated, ZESPRONET had built and donated to ABSU an N80 million ultra modern Post Graduate hostel, participated in the recent provision of solar street lights throughout the campus (in collaboration with the ABSU Alumni Association North America), and provided books to the Medical Library, among other beneficial interventions in their Alma Mater.

But, Dr. Oji said, they consider the current tree planting campaign their largest legacy project so far, and attach much importance to it, especially given the expected long term impact that it would have on the University and it’s present and future students.

He said that they believe that ZESPRONET has contributed more than any other Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to ABSU and IMSU, stressing that they have actively engaged in improving the infrastructures, especially in their Alma mater so that the present students will have a better life and more conducive environment to study than they did when they were students.

They, therefore, called on the media on the media to help publicize their efforts and activities so that other organizations like theirs will be better informed of what they are doing and thus be encouraged to do more. They also want the media to publicize their activities and efforts so that governments can be encouraged to collaborate with them towards strengthening public education in Nigeria.

Dr. Oji, who also announced that ZESPRONET will hold its AGM on July 20, 2024 at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, said that highlights of the Meeting will include the swearing in of a new executive committee for the association and the commissioning of the trees planted at ABSU.

According to him, the incoming executive committee members, made up of high flying professionals, who have accepted to serve the organization despite their busy schedules, include Chief Eke Puma Uguru (International President), Attorney George Achonu (Deputy International President), Bar George Ukaegbu (National President) and Bar Emenike Okeudo (Deputy National President).

Others are: Bar Okechukwu Ucheaguwa (National Secretary), Bar Chidi Agor (Deputy National Secretary), DCN Nnamdi Obidiegwu (Director of Social), Bar Eric Nwaka (Deputy Director of Social), Chief Sir Tony Nwaokonko (Financial Secretary) and Bar Ken Nwobi (National Legal Adviser).

Dr. Oji, while congratulating the incoming executive of ZESPRONET, said he is very proud of the accomplishments of the outgoing executives in the short time they served, and thanked all members for the goodwill and support which they extended to them which made the successes they recorded possible.

He appealed that the same level of respect and support should be accorded the incoming executive committee to help them take the organization to greater heights, and pledged his and other outgoing exco members’ unconditional support and willingness to play any role assigned to them to ensure the success of the incoming administration.

He concluded that: “It has been a great ride and today I can unapologetically state that our organization is stronger and better than when we came in and will only move in a positive trajectory,” and prayed that God should bless all members of the organization.