The Lagos State Government has urged other states to join in planting more trees to preserve the environment.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who gave the advice at the yearly tree planting said that if all the 36 states joins Lagos in its commitment to plant 10 million trees, the nation would gain 360 million trees in the next four years. According to him, this will mitigate the negative impact of climate change.
The governor, who described tree planting as one of the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of Global Warming and Climate Change, charged residents to compliment the state government’s role in tackling several environmental challenges to which Lagos is prone to being a coastal city-state.
Ambode, who was represented by his deputy Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello and his wife Bolanle, across the state, said the government will not relent in its effort to regulate the impact of climate change in the state.
He also sent representatives to 87 locations in the 57 Local Government/Local Council Development Areas and eight other ceremonial sites. He said the event was aimed at ensuring the state meets the 10-million tree target by 2020.
Dr Adebule at the C & S Primary School Ground, Ikorodu, said “planting of trees is very important for our environment because trees cools the atmosphere, helps conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save our children from ultra-violet rays, provide food and brings diverse groups together as we are doing today.”
The Government, she said, is committed to the greening policy.
At the National Youth Service Corps Camp, Agege, Bello said: “Scientists have stated that the world needs about 30 billion trees annually and that if the last tree dies, no human will survive. A world without trees is a world without lungs without which there will be no life, so, we must resolve as a people to ensure that we not only save our trees but plant more trees. As a country, if we resolve to plant one million trees per state every year, we shall be able to achieve 360 million trees by the next decade which will go a long way to protect our nation.”
He said the state has become a positive reference point in Nigeria about creating a green environment.
Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Samuel Adejare, said human activities are threatening the survival of trees, saying that Lagosians must also ensure that environmental degradation is minimised irrespective of human needs.
At Ifako Ijaye Local Government, the governor’s representative Mrs Omotayo Oduntan said the local government should mobilise all residents to plant at least one tree in their homes to preserve nature.
The sole administrators of Apapa-Iganmu and Isolo LCDAs, Mr Olumide Olayomi and Abimbola Oshikoya urged Lagosians to join hands with the government to develop the state.
Olayomi said: “We have only one planet and we must join hands to protect it for our own safety.”
Ms Abimbola said planting more trees will safeguard the nation and preserve the future for the coming generation.