The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, has advised residents to embrace the principle of tree planting; saying that it is essential for people’s well-being.
Speaking through the director of Laboratory Services Mrs Adetola Onisarotu during the state’s sixth annual tree planting exercise organized by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) held at the Nigerian Breweries, Mr Bello noted that tree planting is a panacea for issues of climate change like global warming and other ecological challenges.
He said that “Green is Peace,” which is the theme for this year’s exercise, even as he added that the exercise has continued to expand with over four million trees planted within six years.
He reeled of the benefits of afforestation; which are beautification of the environment, shield for rare and endangered animals, wind barriers, deflectors of sun rays as well as other adverse weather.
He said: “Trees serve as breeding ground for some animals and equally help to check erosion as well as supply food and materials for building houses. The more trees we plant, the more we reclaim our forests.”
In order to continue the tree-planting initiative, the state government has established the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK); which an institutional structure to integrate the initiative into the system and to improve the aesthetics of the environment.
Nursery, primary and secondary school pupils were not left out of the environmental re-engineering as tree planting and nurturing techniques have also been included in the school curriculum by LASPARK, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The general manager of LASEPA Mr. Adebola Rasheed Shabi, an engineer who represented Governor Fashola at the event, noted that the existence of a green environment is germane for the well-being of individuals and the society.
He, however, advised individuals to inculcate the habit of planting trees, even as he added that “one can even name a tree after one’s child.
He said “I planted a tree in my house and named it Babatunde Fashola.”
Mr. Chukwuemeka Ezobu, a lecturer and consultant in the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos shed light on the significance of trees to the ecosystem. He explained that trees act as agent for extracting pollution from the atmosphere. He therefore identified tree planting as a natural means of removing carbon-dioxide from the environment.
He said: “I need to mention the key element of protecting human population because people’s well-being depends on the availability of sustainable resources and the ecosystem. In the past, trees have been used to preserve memorable dates, form an archive of the past and used to project cultural appreciation. Trees also serve as purifying agents as they ensure clean air and soil by removing dust from the atmosphere. They serve as natural biodiversity, form shade and increase property value. They produce oxygen for us to breathe in.
“So, I enjoin all participants here today to engage in this global fight. Join this cause so that we would have peace in the environment.”
Mr Samson Aigbedo who represented the managing director of the Nigerian Breweries Aigbedo commended the efforts of the government on providing a sustainable environment for operation.
