Ogun State urges sustained tree planting for climate resilience

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has called on residents to embrace tree planting as a sustained environmental responsibility, moving beyond the perception of it as a mere annual government exercise. Speaking at the 2026 Ogun Tree Planting Day, Abiodun stressed that the state's strategy for addressing climate change must include the ongoing protection and nurturing of trees after they are planted.

The event, organized by the state's Ministries of Environment and Forestry, carried the theme 'Root for the Future: Plant a Tree, Heal the Earth.' Governor Abiodun, represented by his deputy Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated that the theme reflects the increasing environmental pressures faced by communities across the state. He defined tree planting not just as placing seedlings in the soil, but as a reaffirmation of the collective duty to safeguard the environment, restore ecosystems, and ensure a future where economic progress and environmental sustainability coexist.

Abiodun highlighted that climate change is a present concern, citing rising temperatures, flooding, prolonged dry seasons, land degradation, and biodiversity loss as challenges impacting livelihoods and the economy. He urged participants, including residents, institutions, and organizations, to commit to ensuring the survival and maturity of planted seedlings. The governor also commended the Federal Government's environmental initiatives, such as the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan and various afforestation programs, noting Ogun State's alignment with these objectives through investments in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green infrastructure.

The Head of Service, Olanrewaju Saka, echoed the governor's call, urging public servants, organizations, and community leaders to integrate tree planting into their regular activities and foster a shared responsibility for environmental protection. The Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, reported that the state government has revitalized its six forest reserves, which had been inactive before the current administration took office. The annual tree-planting program has expanded to include schools, universities, corporations, development partners, and individual residents, signifying a growing community involvement in environmental stewardship.

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Tree planting is not merely the 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.