The Osun State Government has announced plans to plant one million trees as part of its efforts to combat deforestation and expand the state’s forest coverage. In the first phase, approval has been granted for the planting of 100,000 trees.
This initiative aligns with the state’s climate change agenda and was highlighted when the Forestry Council of Nigeria recognised Governor Ademola Adeleke as a Climate Change Ambassador, acknowledging his dedication to environmental policies and actions.
Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with the national and state leadership of the Forestry Council of Nigeria, Governor Adeleke outlined the tree-planting project. He emphasized that the initial phase would lead to a broader campaign aimed at achieving the one million tree target.
Governor Adeleke further explained that the seedlings raised for the project have been approved for planting, to mitigate the impact of global climate change. He assured that his administration is actively addressing the issue within the state.
“I must state that what your association stands for as presented by the leadership agrees with my policy thrust on climate change. This administration is not paying lip service to the issue of afforestation, hence my approval to raise one million seedlings of exotic and indigenous trees, which we will start with one hundred thousand in the first phase.
“It will interest you to know that approval has equally been given to the planting of the seedlings raised to mitigate the adverse effect of climate change which is ravaging the globe, but here in Osun State, I make bold to say we are on top of the situation.
“Since the activities of your association complement the functionality of the Climate Change Agenda of this administration, you can be sure of my total support of your dream and the success of your annual conference which will be memorable and positively impactful”, the Governor noted.
In his remarks, Tajudeen Abiodun Afolabi, President of the Forestry Council of Nigeria, praised Governor Adeleke as a Climate Change Ambassador.
He highlighted that the governor’s strong commitment to addressing climate change is the key reason the association has chosen Osun as the venue for its upcoming conference.
“The people’s Governor, when I came in here and saw that people’s Governor, you have done very well sir, you’ve done very well in protecting the environment, you’ve done very well in environmental sustainability of the state and by extension in Nigeria in general. Your passion for Climate Change made us decide to come and host our event in Osun.
“We will bring experts and professionals in Nigeria and beyond to come and celebrate you, celebrate your passion for Climate Change. We will be happy to work with you, we will be happy to project you to the world that this is an ambassador of Climate Change in Osun state and Nigeria in general”, he stated.
