A massive tree planting culture is returning in Nigeria as the country plugs into global energy transition initiative.
As part of its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) launched a nationwide tree-planting initiative to commemorate World Environment Day.
This effort, aligned with the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” saw tree planting activities across Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, Edo, and Imo states.
In concurrence with these tree planting exercises, NBC organised roadshows, rallies, lectures, and symposiums to raise awareness about the benefits of tree planting and its positive impact on climate change.
Designated areas in Abuja, Owerri, Lagos, and Asejire, Oyo State, were also targeted to reinforce global efforts against climate change and desertification.
A highlight of the campaign in Lagos was an environmental sustainability event in partnership with LASPARK, LAWMA, and Hope for Life Initiative. This event engaged students of Oregun High School on the importance of annual tree planting.
Deputy Director, Mr. Victor Adedeji, representing LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, emphasised the initiative’s role in providing students with practical tree-planting experience and raising climate change awareness.
Similarly, Assistant Director of LASPARK’s Tree Planting and Maintenance Department, Mrs. Adebimpe Kuponu, underscored the importance of ongoing tree-planting efforts in environmental preservation.
National Environment Manager of NBC,
Mr. Temitope Ogunrinde, highlighted the transgenerational impact of these tree-planting efforts and encouraged the students of Oregun High School to nurture and protect the newly planted trees, ensuring they benefit both current and future generations.
In Oyo, residents were encouraged to participate in gardening activities to combat desertification, in Benin, tree seedlings were distributed to strengthen drought resilience and a community cleanup exercise was organised.
In Owerri a nature walk was conducted to emphasize land restoration measures aimed at protecting the environment from drought.
Also as part of the Decarbonisation Initiative, the WEOG has initiated the planting of over 10 million special trees that have higher rates of carbon absorption.
National President of WEOG in Nigeria and CEO of Blackgold Energy Authorities, Oladunni Owo, made the disclosure during the Decarbonization Initiative Press Conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme “Collaboration, Innovation, and Action for a Low Carbon Oil & Gas Industry,” Owo noted that despite advancements in human investments and industrialization, there is more carbon in the atmosphere than is sustainable for human life.
Owo emphasised that, in Africa and Nigeria, there is a significant energy gap, so a diverse range of energy resources, including solar, wind, hydrogen, nuclear, and gas, is needed to close these gaps.
This is why WEOG is initiating the concept of bringing decarbonisation to the forefront.