Campus environmental groups honour Ambali with 68-tree memorial grove
By Mustafa Abubakar
Two campus environmental clubs founded under the mentorship and guidance of the People Climate and Livelihood Support Initiative (PeCaLiSI), EcoGreen Gems (EGGs) and BeeTribe Africa (BTA), have honoured the late former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, with a 68-tree Memorial Legacy Grove.
The initiative, undertaken as part of the clubs’ “Tree Legacy Initiative”, was established penultimate Friday, September 11, 2026, to commemorate the life, milestones and legacies of outstanding individuals through environmental restoration and sustainable development.
The memorial grove, themed “Memorial Legacy Trees: Honouring a Life of Leadership, Service, and Enduring Impact,” was established around the late Professor’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Speaking on the initiative, the Patroness of the groups, who is also the Cofounder of People, Climate and Livelihood Support Initiative (PeCaLiSI), Dr Nusirat Aderinsola Sadiku, said the 68 trees planted symbolically represent the 68 years of the late Professor’s life, service and impact.
She described Prof. Ambali as a distinguished scholar, visionary leader, mentor and administrator whose contributions to higher education, scholarship, institutional development and humanity positively impacted numerous individuals and institutions.
She added that the initiative was also inspired by the Islamic concept of Ṣadaqah Jāriyah (continuous charity), expressing hope that the trees would continue to provide benefits to people and the environment and, by Allah’s mercy, serve as an enduring source of reward for the deceased.
Dr Sadiku explained that as the trees grow, they would provide shade, fruits, shelter and other ecological benefits, while contributing to environmental improvement and biodiversity.
She said,“The trees will be maintained by members of EcoGreen Gems and BeeTribe Africa as part of a long-term environmental stewardship project.”
The clubs said the memorial grove was intended to preserve the legacy the late Prof. Ambali as a living tribute that would continue to benefit people, nature and future generations.
They extended their condolences to the family of the late Professor, joining the University community, friends, colleagues, former students and well-wishers in mourning his passing.
They also prayed that Allah (SWT) would forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, widen and illuminate his grave, grant him peace in the Barzakh and admit him into Al-Jannatul Firdaus, while granting his family strength, comfort and patience.
