The Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, wants the private and public sectors in the country to adopt tree planting as a major part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
The Director General of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja stated this at a commemorative tree planting in Lagos on the 29th of September, 2023, as part of an ongoing initiative for the planting of 30,000 trees in ten states of the federation.
Onoja noted that the tree planting excercise at the Lekki Conservation Centre, LCC, was in line with the partnership between the foundation and Stanbic IBTC which sponsored the planting of 30,000 trees in ten states across the country.
Dr. Onoja who challenged other organizations to sponsor similar effort as a way of giving back to the society, noted that tree planting remains among the most potent strategies for tackling land degradation and climate change impacts such as flooding, heat waves, coastal erosion, amongst others.
According to the NCF DG, the planting of 30,000 trees is to support the actualization of the Green Recovery Nigeria, GRN, project of the foundation
aimed at recovering the nation’s degraded forest landscape from the dwindling less than 10 percent to at least 25 percent as recommended by Food and Agricultural Organization.
” First of all , i must commend the partnership that we have with the Stanbic IBTC and also other partners that have really come big in terms of supporting our program, the Green Recovery Nigeria Program, which is our ambitious project that we hope to recover Nigeria’s degraded forest landscape from the dwindling less than 10 to at least 25 as recommended by FAO.
“Stanbic IBTC is coming big for us. It’s something that really shows the commitment of Stanbic IBTC in terms of environment. What we are doing today is commemorative planting. Most of 30,000 been planted in other states. This is the flag off of it.”
Onoja opined that trees are very important panacea to climate Change because they serve as carbon sink, in addition to offering habitats to various species that play crucial role in the environment.
“I recommend this practice to every Nigerian; planting trees plays an essential role in our ecosystem and contributes significantly to a sustainable and healthier planet.”
In a remark,the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Dr. Demola Sogunle stated that supporting the tree planting initiative was critical to their operations.
Dr. Sogunle who promised that they would continue supporting NCF in its programmes , explained that his bank was committed to driving excellence socially, environmentally and economically.
He added that the target was to plant not less than 3000 trees in each of the benefitting states.
He said, “We are initiating this tree planting drive as the first of many going forward.”
“Stanbic IBTC remains steadfast in addressing climate change issues and creating a hospitable environment for all Nigerians.”
“We are providing 30, 000 units of trees to be planted in 10 states. The exercise being done here today ( Friday 29 September, 2023) is symbolic but
we are going to 10 states and the whole intention is to be able to create that value for Nigerians in terms of afforestation , being climate sensitive and being able to provide the totality of the value chain that has to do with every tree that is being planted”.
Also, speaking, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Lagos State, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab who was represented by the Deputy Director, Conservation and Ecology Department, in the Ministry, Mr. Olabode Adeola, seized the occasion to warm Lagosians against cutting down trees as doing such attracts sanctions. He said in an event that a tree must be cut, 10 should be planted in replacement.
While underscoring the need for partnerships towards actualizing the key targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, including driving environmental sustainability, Mr. Adeola also urged residents of state to adopt planting of trees for commemoration of their special days like birthdays and wedding anniversaries, just as government functionaries have been doing.
“In addition to individual efforts, State Governments must collaborate with financial institutions like Stanbic IBTC. By partnering with these stakeholders, we can develop innovative solutions, share resources, and create a collective impact that will transform our city into an oasis of green.”
Participants including staff members of NCF and Stanbic IBTC, volunteers and media professionals had the privilege of observing many wild organisms such as monkeys, crocodiles ,different species of birds and others being conserved at the exotic Lekki Conservation Centre.
The 10 states selected for planting of the 30,000 trees by Stanbic IBTC include Edo, Ogun, Katsina, Ebonyi, Plateau, Rivers and Cross River. Others are Taraba, Jigawa, and Yobe.