Sterling One Foundation, Green Sahara Farms, together with Unity Schools Old Students’ Association (USOSA) have pledged to plant 10,000 trees before 2030. They also promised to set up green clubs in unity schools across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sterling one Foundation, Mrs Peju Ibekwe stated this at a media dialogue on climate action organised by the foundation, and the British High Commission in Lagos.
The pilot programme will cover 24 schools chosen from the six geo-political zones where 10,000 trees will be planted.
Chief Executive Officer of Green Sahara Farms, Alhaji Sulaiman Dikwa and that of Sterling One Foundation Mrs Ibekwe in a joint statement said: “The foundation, in partnership with the Unity Schools and Green Sahara Farms, has the vision to plant 200 million trees. We will begin the programme this year by planting 10,000 economic trees across the six geo-political zones.”
The foundation also announced its target of 200 million trees over the next 10 years as the United Nations (UN) marks the decade of action.
According to it, the project to be carried out by Sterling One Foundation and in partnership with Unity Schools Old Students’ Association and Green Sahara Farms, would begin with the planting of 10,000 economic trees this year, while supporting nurseries to engender more trees at the schools will be established.
With the theme “The Transition to a Circular Economy-Partnerships to Solve Pressing Challenges,” the event held at the Deputy British High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, was designed to promote media support for effective communication for development and raising awareness on critical issues with priority for climate action.
Addressing participants at the event, Mrs Ibekwe said: “There has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged ecosystems than now and we need urgent action to address these pressing issues. We must shift from harming the planet to healing it.”
She expressed disappointment over Nigerians’ lack of enthusiasm on issues about climate change.
“Unfortunately, in Nigeria, we still experience ignorance, apathy, carelessness and lack of follow-through when it comes to issues and conversations around climate action and a clear understanding by the common man.”
The Sterling One Foundation boss said the media was needed now more than ever to create awareness of conversations around and about climate change.
She noted that climate change is one of the defining issues in society, adding that Sterling One Foundation has prioritised multi-stakeholder engagements in driving advocacy, furthering conversations towards increased awareness and effective action in driving innovative solutions to combat the menace.