Abiodun urges collective action as Ogun backs tree planting campaign

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has emphasized that tree planting is a shared responsibility crucial for safeguarding the environment, restoring ecosystems, and securing the future. Speaking at the 2026 Ogun Tree Planting Day commemoration in Abeokuta, themed “Root for the Future: Plant a Tree, Heal the Earth,” Abiodun noted the urgency of the initiative.

The governor, represented by his Deputy Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated that the theme is particularly relevant as the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, flooding, and land degradation, increasingly impact communities, livelihoods, and the economy. He described tree planting not just as an act of placing seedlings but as a reaffirmation of the collective duty to protect the environment and ensure economic progress advances alongside environmental sustainability.

Abiodun lauded President Bola Tinubu's administration for prioritizing environmental sustainability through various initiatives such as the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan and the National Clean Cooking Policy. He affirmed Ogun State's dedication to supporting these national objectives through investments in afforestation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green infrastructure, waste management, and improved flood-control mechanisms.

The governor also commended the state's Ministries of Environment and Forestry for sustaining the annual tree-planting program, which has evolved into a statewide movement involving diverse stakeholders. He urged participants to maintain their efforts and ensure the proper nurturing of planted trees to maturity. The Head of Service, Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka, further encouraged public servants and citizens to integrate tree planting into their daily lives.

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Tree planting is not merely placing of seedlings into the soil but a reaffirmation of our collective responsibility to protect the environment, restore degraded ecosystems and secure a future where economic progress and environmental sustainability advance together.