Lagosians have been urged to embrace tree planting as a means of preserving the ecosystem and protecting the earth from the dangers of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, gave the charge at this year’s tree planting ceremony which took place at the Alkat Way, in Iju area of the council.
He said besides being used for ornamental beautification, trees are a good sanitiser and purifier as it helps purifies the air sinking the carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere and replacing it with oxygen which sustains humankind.
The chairman said as part of efforts to promote tree planting, the administration will continue to sensitise the people to the importance of trees in the local government and ensure that all roads being built by the council henceforth have tree component to serve as shed for pedestrians.
“We are committed to ensuring that the greenery is restored. We would continue to support the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in ensuring that Lagos State is livable and sustainable.
“This programme takes place every year. The essence is to improve the environment. Trees contribute to the ecosystem and environment. Apart from landscaping, it also helps to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It helps to improve the quality of the air we breathe and promotes our health. That is why we would continue to plant trees in the local government,” Oke said.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye said the exercise is unique as it marks the first by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
Bamigboye, who was represented by the Director of Human Resources and Administration in the Ministry, Mr. Olanrewaju Awobajo said, the theme “Clean and Green is Our Perfect Dream” seeks to galvanise the people towards supporting the government in its efforts to build a cleaner environment and develop the state into a sustainable entity.
“Lagosians must continue to passionately support tree planting because it is essential for our survival as it helps bridge the damaging effects of our modernity and harmful modern lifestyles,” he said.
He noted that it is not enough to plant a tree, but to plant a tree and nurture it to survive.
He challenged industrialists to plant more trees to replace the ones they felled as a result of their industrial activities to compensate the coming generation of meeting a world that can sustain life and living.
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