The Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Don Mackinnon, has called on Commonwealth States to protect and preserve the environment.

"The effect of pollution poses a serious environmental problem in the world."This information was delivered in the University of Buea, UB, during the commemoration of the Commonwealth Day, March 10.

Celebrated under "The Environment, Our Future," the ceremony brought together students and staff of UB, to brainstorm on environmental problems and find a way forward. The Vice Chancellor, UB, Prof. Vincent Titanji, in his speech, said the aim of commemorating the Commonwealth Day, was to promote understanding on global issues, international cooperation and the work of the Commonwealth, which is to improve the lives of its 1.8 billion citizens.

The VC held that Commonwealth is already taking the environment seriously. "During the November 2007 biennial summit of Commonwealth Heads of Government in Kampala, Uganda, the Head of Government, President Paul Biya, endorsed a Commonwealth Action Plan on climate change, christened 'The Lake Victoria Accord', which highlights actions to tackle climate change," Prof. Titanji said.

He stated that the Commonwealth Secretariat is in frequent contact with UB, to exchange information on fellowship and funding opportunities."Some members of our teaching staff have benefited from Commonwealth scholarships and fellowships."

The VC also thanked the British High Commission for its assistance to the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, JMC. He described JMC as a Department in UB that has lived to its expectations.

The occasion was marked by a panel discussion on the effects of environmental degradation and its solution, moderated by Professor Peter Ndumbe of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Dr. Jonie Fonyam, lecturer in Law, took the Legal and Policy approaches to the environment; Dr. George Chuyom, lecturer of the Faculty of Science talked on Social and Ecological Systems, while Ms. Veronica Manga, Faculty of Science, lectured on Climate Change and Water Resources.

The ceremony ended with the donation of books and equipment to the JMC Department by representatives of the British High Commission in Yaounde, led by Ross Mathews.

Commenting on the donations, Mathews said the British High Commission has been working with former JMC students who have proven their worth. He added that they have realised JMC is one of the most vibrant Departments in UB.