A humanitarian organisation catering to the needs of children, Save the Children International (SCI) has advocated tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Advocacy Campaign Policy Manager of the organisation, Innocent Ifedilichukwu said the effect of climate change was on the rise and children bore the brunt of it most.
He spoke during a Climate and Sensitisation Activity and Tree planting exercise at Piwoyi Junior Secondary School to celebrate the World Environment Day in Abuja.
The programme was organised by the organisation under its Children’s Generation Hope Campaign, in partnership with Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).
He said as a child-centred organisation, Save the Children Nigeria designed its programmes around health, nutrition, livelihood, climate change and others and works towards protecting children.
He said: “We are happy as an organisation to be part of this year’s tree planting working with government and other stakeholders.
“We are using this opportunity to also encourage school children to also be part of the tree planting. What that is doing is helping them to know that they have to work hard to safeguard the environment.
“So we are happy that the children are adding their voices and participating in planting these trees.”
He said that there were lots of benefits associated with tree planting ranging from health to economics, among others.
Innocent encouraged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of tree planting to promote green environment and tackle climate change.
Deputy Director, Environmental Management Department, AEPB, Ms Rebecca Mamven explained that AEPB’s purpose was to sensitise communities to seeks ways to restore the land back from degradation and stop desertification.
She added that the organisation was also working to promote drought resilience with planting of different types of trees and plants.
“In the north especially, we experience drought a lot; so, we are here to celebrate this day with our children and to teach them how to address these things,” she said.
Deputy Director, Education and Principal, Junior Secondary School Piwoyi, Mrs Pauline Nwagwugwu commended the stakeholders for bringing the tree planting project to the school.
She said she was a lover of the green environment and had been planting trees in the school since she was transferred there.
She expressed gratitude that the students were being carried along to promote a green environment and assured the group of the school’s commitment to sustaining the project.
The Chief of Piwoyi, Tanko Bahago, said the idea of planting trees in communities and schools was a welcome development.
Tanko said that the community had plans to plant trees around but was waiting for the rainy season to do that.
“By planting trees on this day, we actively contribute to the preservation of our environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,’’ he said.
