Environment Day: NNPC Foundation sensitises students to tree planting

By Raji Rasak/ Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Foundation on Wednesday sensitised students of Badagry Senior Secondary School on tree planting to mark the World Environment Day.

Speaking at the programme, Mrs Henrietta Obioma-Igwe, Manager, Programme and Development of the foundation, said tree planting and conservation efforts were key to maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment.

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5, and aims at raising awareness and celebrating environmental action, with a focus this year on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.

“Tree planting minimises or prevents the environmental challenges impacting on our environment and survival.

“Trees provide shade, cool the air through transpiration, and block winds, regulating local climates.

“Trees produce oxygen, which is essential for human and animal life.

“Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to prevent climate change,” she said.

She said that the foundation had chosen Badagry because it is a border community, adding that the town is a point of contact to anybody coming into the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the programme the foundation planted 70 trees in Badagry Senior Secondary School.

Mr Kenneth Adeoni, Principal of the school, expressed delight at the sensitisation brought to the students.

“Now, we are happy because the sensitisation is for the children who are the leaders of tomorrow.

“This has gone a long way to let them understand that we need to protect our environment for tomorrow.

“The sensitisation has gone a long way to let them understand that we need to protect our environment with the issues of climate,” he said.

The principal urged Nigerians to protect their environment by planting trees.

“To protect our environment, we need to plant tress consistently and for the fact that we have planted trees, we also need to nurture them very well.

“This sensitisation will help the students to understand environment through tree planting,” he said.

He commended the foundation for its consistency in piloting the programme, adding that the programme is impacting in the lives of the students.

Adeoni promised to ensure all the 70 trees planted in the school are all well nurtured.

Also speaking, Miss Mautin Tunde, Assistant Chief Education Officer, District 5, said the major challenge facing the world was climate change.

“The only solution to this is by planting trees.

“I will implore the teachers and students of the school to ensure they sustain the trees NNPC foundation planted here today.

“I will urge them to sustain and nurture them to grow because this is the only way to save lives,” she said.

A student, Olanrewaju Olawoyin, said the programme had taught him that planting trees was of utmost benefit to mankind. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran