The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has partnered with TotalEnergies to plant trees and clean up school environment in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tree planting and clean-up exercise took place at Government Secondary School (GSS), Tudun Wada in the Federal Capital Territory.
Muhammed Boyin, an official of NCF stated that the aim of the initiative was to sensitize students on the importance of tree planting and educate them on the values associated with it.
“We get shades, food and medicine from trees. Trees play a major role in mitigating climate change because they have the ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere and convert it to something useful to man.
“Also, the challenge of mosquitoes within the school and environs would be eradicated when we plant trees and clean up the environment.
“We have also established NCF club in the school to assist in nurturing the seedlings planted today,” he said.
Boyin urged the school management and students to maintain the seedlings planted and nurture them into full trees.
Also speaking, Omolabake Adebogun, the Sales Executive of TotalEnergies, encouraged the students to imbibe the culture of planting trees in the environment, saying, “ we all have the duty to protect the environment.”
“Say no when you see someone cutting a tree,” she said.
Adebogun noted that similar projects had been carried out in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos and other places where lots of trees were planted and nurtured.
The Principal, GSS, Mr Akor Joseph, stressed that the essence of tree planting could not be over emphasized, adding that it created shades and conducive environment for learning.
He stated that it also helped in controlling air pollution and erosion within the school.
Joseph promised to ensure the proper maintenance of the trees by watering it when necessary, while assuring that the students would be involved in the maintenance process.
“We will assign each participating student’s name on the trees planted today, so even after they leave the school, their names would remain on them,” he said.
Isah Hamza, the Head Boy of the school, said that the environment would be a better place when lots of trees were planted, stressing that more oxygen would be generated.
He urged fellow students within and outside the school community to cultivate the habit of planting trees in their environment.
Hamza urged his colleagues to report anyone, seen cutting down any tree to the appropriate authorities and promised to monitor and ensure that the trees were nurtured. (NAN)
