PSCU @PeopleDailyKe
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday laid the foundation stone for an ultramodern centre at the University of Nairobi, (UoN) to house the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies.
The institute at the Lower Kabete Campus which aims to create a culture of peace through transformational leadership in environmental governance will also be a global centre of excellence in environmental governance and its linkages with peace and democracy.
Uhuru praised the late Nobel Prize winner who he noted had a vision to establish such an institute before she died and it was an honour for the institution to actualise the dream.
“Before her death, Wangari Maathai had conceived this idea of establishing the Institute and shared the idea with the university leadership and her friends across the World,” said Kenyatta.
The construction of the institute, which will cost Sh1.4 billion is funded by the Kenya government and African Development Bank. Uhuru said the late environmentalist’s legacy will live on, adding she is the best role model for all Kenyans who want to contribute to the country’s progress.
“I am encouraged to learn that this Institute is already playing a critical role in reducing conflicts in communities by involving women in green energy technology, and in environmental conservation,” said Uhuru.
After laying the foundation stone, the Head of State joined students in one of the lecture halls at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences where he answered questions from students on leadership and youth policies.
The President said the Jubilee Government has put in place measures to help graduates get employment by creating opportunities for internship. He said the government will give tax rebates to companies that offer internship. Government departments will also start offering internship to prepare graduates for the workplace.
The post Uhuru lays foundation for Maathai UoN institute UoN appeared first on Mediamax Network Limited.