By Grace Abe
Nigerian and Ethiopian youths have joined forces to tackle climate change, deforestation and soil degradation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through a collaborative tree-planting exercise tagged, “Plant Africa Fraternity.”
The event was organised in Abuja on Friday, under the FCT Administration-Ethiopia youths tree planting initiative themed, “Youth United for a Greener FCT: Renewing Hope through Tree Planting”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative brought together youth delegates from the Nigerian ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party, to move pan-African diplomacy beyond conference talks into direct action.
Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, explained that the Plant Africa Fraternity Initiative is an international environmental and youth diplomacy programme initiated by the government of Ethiopia.
Fasawe added that the initiative serves as the continental extension of Ethiopia’s national Green Legacy Initiative, designed to combat climate change, deforestation, and soil degradation.
She described the event as “more than an environmental activity but a symbol of Pan-African friendship, shared responsibility and common commitment to building a greater and more sustainable continent”.
She particularly said that the planting of Ethiopian indigenous trees in Abuja was a symbol of friendship and common commitment to fighting climate change and global warming.
She reiterated the commitment of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to expanding green spaces, combating climate change, and supporting initiatives that foster bilateral partnerships and youth empowerment.
The mandate secretary commended the youth wing of the APC and Prosperity Party of Ethiopia for their involvement in the initiative to make Abuja green again.
According to her, meaningful change does not begin in conference halls or by giving speeches; it begins when institutions, communities, individuals, and youth leaders come together and take practical action.
”We are fully aligned with the objectives of this initiative and we have worked closely with the Director of Parks and Recreation, to ensure a seamless and memorable tree planting across the FCT.”
Earlier, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Legesse Haile, disclosed that his country had planted more than 48 billion trees since 2019 under its Green Legacy Initiative.
Represented by Ethiopia’s Minister Counsellor for Political Affairs in Nigeria, Misgna Abrha, the ambassador said the country initially targeted 20 billion trees within four years.
Haile, however, said that the country had surpassed the target, with a new goal of planting 50 billion trees by 2030.
He said Ethiopia currently planted between 7.5 billion and eight billion seedlings annually, adding that the initiative had helped increase the country’s forest coverage to more than 23 per cent.
In his remarks, the APC National Youth Leader, Dr Dayo Israel said young Africans must know one another, work with one another, and take responsibility together for a continent they would inherit.
Israel noted that climate change is already affecting agriculture, food, public health, security, migration and livelihood across Africa.
He added that although Africa has contributed comparatively little to a historical global illusion, its communities have continued to bear some of the greatest consequences.
According to him, the tree-planting programme is founded on the belief that African youths must develop stronger relationships and take joint responsibility for the continent’s future.
“Africa’s unity cannot remain an aspiration expressed only at conferences. It must become a living relationship among our people, especially among the young.
”It must be demonstrated through shared projects, cultural exchange, political dialogue, innovation and collective action.”
On his part, Head of Organisation Sector, Prosperity Party of Ethiopia, Mr Gezahagn Andarge, said the move would strengthen the bond between the two countries.
”We came here because we believe that the friendship between our two countries must be strengthened, not only through diplomatic engagement but also through practical actions that benefit our peoples and our continent.
“Today we have chosen to spread that friendship through something very simple but very powerful – planting cedar.
“We are not simply here to plant cedar, we are here to plant fraternity, we are here to plant solidarity and we are here to plant the future of Africa,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Philip Yatai