Oyo govt launches trees planting campaign, vows to plant 500,000 trees by 2023

Oyo State Government has launched a tree-planting campaign to enhance environmental quality and human health for the current and future generations.

The state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde on Tuesday launched the trees in the premises of the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Makinde, during the brief ceremony, on Tuesday evening, said that consistent tree planting would positively affect the quality of life.

He said that if the planting of trees was well-promoted, it would have an impact on the kind of environment that would be handed over to the upcoming generation.

The governor maintained that his administration was set to plant 500,000 trees in the next two years of his administration.

Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, planting a tree in the premises of the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan

“It is my pleasure to launch the trees planting campaign in Oyo State as part of the activities marking our second year in office.

“Tree planting is an effort that if well-promoted, will definitely have an impact on the kind of environment we are going to hand over to the upcoming generation,” he said.

The governor performed a symbolic planting of a tree, after which other executive members performed the same exercise.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Idowu Oyeleke, said that the tree-planting campaign was one of the numerous initiatives of the Makinde administration, toward having a clean and green environment.

Oyeleke said that the environmental, economic, and social benefits of nature could lead to better vegetation management.

“We cannot keep on ignoring climate change, which is the most significant material risk to our future.

“As we are intensifying efforts to rid the state of waste, all hands must be on deck to improve the environment by adorning it with flowers and trees.

“Trees provide numerous economic and ecosystem services that produce benefits to communities and welfare of the citizens.

“The importance of tree planting include the provision of shade, enhancement of ecosystem, reduction in the effect of carbon emissions, mitigation of flood and provides employment,” Oyeleke said.

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