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Editorial: Prune The Trees To Save Lives

There is no denying the fact that the trees that line the principal streets of the university beautify the roads and make plying of the roads a pleasant experience. What is more exalting of these trees is the fact that they act as windbreaks thereby preventing most structures in the University community from being roof off. More often than not, passers are saved from the direct hit of the sun because of these trees. Notwithstanding all these enormous benefits these trees serve, I will be right if I say that they can also cause havoc especially as we usher in the rainy season.

I say this, because, most of these trees have weakened branches. The last time I plied one of the road lined by these trees, the branches made thuds in a manner that showed that, a simple storm can bring them down. In fact when I looked up at that time it appeared the weakened branches were gnashing their teeth at me and were praying that a slight wind blow so that they can fall to my detriment. As if that was not enough, it appeared every road lined with these trees that I plied the same scene ensued. Let bear in mind that students are the majority that plie these roads, therefore, should the branches begin to fall in response to the storm, students will be at risk.

Even when a normal wind blows one who plies some of these roads has to look out for a falling branch else one will be hit by one. Just last week, the storm that caused the rip off of the roof the Faculty of Arts building at Science also caused major havoc at Sasakawa Centre. The branches of the trees fell and destroyed some vehicles and things of traders that were marketing at the place. Yet, it appears nothing has been done about it to save impending dangers.

The rainy season has started, the braches of trees where students ply are weak and waiting to fall, we plead with authorities and our student leaders to organize a pruning exercise so that all these potentially dangerous trees and their branches are removed to save lives.