I am delighted to address you today on the occasion of the flag off of the 2019 Tree Planting Campaign in the State, taking place here in Akwanga, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. As you are aware, Tree Planning Campaigns have become an annual ritual aimed at replenishing our rapidly depleting vegetation and the need to protect the environment.
Today’s occasion is, therefore, in furtherance to our individual and collective efforts geared towards supporting life by planning and nurturing of trees. It is pertinent to observe, however, that in the recent past, our environment has been subjected to continuous abuse through deforestation, bush burning, pollution, mining and other human activities detrimental to the ecosystem.
Let me also point out that our environment continues to be further threatened by the adverse effects of climate change characterized by global warming, irregular rainfall pattern, flood, erosion, desertification, disappearing forests, and endangered wildlife species. The cumulative effect of this scenario is that, not only plants and animals are facing extinction, but human life is also at risk and vulnerable to diseases like cancer and other avoidable ailments. These trends cannot be allowed to go unchecked if we intend to sustain the earth and human race. There is the need to take steps to protect this precious gi from God and keep it as an ornament and as a means of our livelihood.
It is for this reason that today’s event is significant as it transcends the mere exercise of planning a tree. It is, indeed, a wake-up call to protect and preserve life in all its
ramifications in consonance with the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is important to remind ourselves that tree planning has more benefits than the provision of cosy shades, nourishing fruits, and
enthralling scenery. Today, I am happy to state that, through the United Nations’ laudable initiatives such as Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Degradation
(REDD+) aimed at enhancement of bio-safety, our forest resources have also become a viable economic potential. In addition, the more forests cover we have as a State, the
more carbon stock that will attract carbon credit as an economic advantage.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in our commitment to actualize this vision, the Government of Nasarawa State has since made a counterpart contribution to the tune of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00) only towards our full participation in the process. Furthermore, the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N150,000,000.00) only
has been earmarked in the 2019 Budget for Nasarawa State REDD+ strategy.
It is in this connection that I note with satisfaction, the noble effort of the Federal Ministry of Environment which has translated to the recent restocking of Ohina Forest
Reserve in Doma Local Government Area of the State with five thousand (5,000) seedlings.
On our part, the Government of Nasarawa State recently donated 5.6 hectares of land in Nasarawa Local Government Area to the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) for the establishment of its outstation in the State. I have no doubt that when it is fully operational, the centre will serve as a dependable outreach for research and learning, as well as employment opportunities for our teeming population.
Let me, therefore, use this auspicious occasion to express the profound appreciation of the Government and good people of Nasarawa State to the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders who were and are still instrumental to these all-important projects for their immense contribution towards these laudable projects. I also note with satisfaction, the role of the private sectors in this worthwhile collaboration in our collective effort to safeguard our environment. Let me, particularly,
commend the Olam Farms for keying into our tree planning initiative. I, therefore, urge the farms to sustain its involvement as part of their social cooperative responsibility
to our dear State.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as part of our determinaon to sustain this endeavour, the Nasarawa State Government is committed to the planning of thirteen
thousand (13,000) assorted tree seedlings across the thirteen Local Government Areas of the State this year. Our expectation in the next three years is to increase the number to one million, three hundred thousand (1,300,000) trees.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, considering the enormity of the investment in this project and the benefit therein, it has become imperative to task Local Government Councils in the State to take over the responsibility of protecting and safeguarding of the trees that are going to be planted in their various areas. In the same vein, I call on residents to be mindful of the Law against Deforestation which is already operational in the State. This is with a view to avoiding the unpleasant consequences of flouting the Law.
At this juncture, it has become necessary to charge all residents of Nasarawa State including individuals, instuons, corporate bodies, cultural associations, civil
society groups and non-governmental organizations, Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to develop a passion in the planning of trees. It is
only by so doing that our environment will become beautiful and beneficial.
On this note, it is my pleasure to flag off the 2019 Tree Planting Campaign in Nasarawa State.
Thank you and may God bless us all.
