Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to plant one million trees and create 50 hectares of green parks in partnership with private companies. This will be done before the end of this year’s planting season to help protect the environment and fight climate change.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, made this announcement at the launch of Ogun State’s Tree Planting Day. The theme of the event was “Grow Trees, Sustain Life.”
The event was organised by the Ministry of Environment, along with the Ministries of Forestry, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Housing, and Community Development.
Governor Abiodun said the trees would not only provide fruits and medicine but also help cool the environment, reduce flooding, and protect the ozone layer.
“We are not just planting trees today,” he said. “We are planting hope and securing our future because trees give us oxygen, clean air, and protect the climate.”
He added that the theme of the event supports his administration’s ISEYA agenda, especially the part that focuses on agriculture and social development.
To help meet the goal of planting one million trees, the state will launch a “One Citizen, One Tree” campaign across all 20 local government areas. The state is also working with private companies to build 50 hectares of green parks.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the tree planting day is more than just a ceremony—it is a serious and scientific step to help prevent flooding and other environmental problems.
He also shared plans to work with industries to plant trees, include tree planting in school education, and give yearly awards to schools, industries, and groups that take care of trees.
Oresanya said that since Ogun is Nigeria’s most industrialised state, it must take the lead in cutting pollution and preventing natural disasters, especially in cities.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tunji Odunlami, promised that his ministry would continue to support the planting and protection of trees in the state’s urban renewal projects.
The Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya—represented by Dr. Adekunle Oyesanwen from the Ministry of Forestry—encouraged residents to become part of the change by planting trees and avoiding careless cutting down of trees.
Dr. Sam Oyeleye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, said planting trees has become a necessary act to fight climate change and improve the lives of the people.
Groups like Lafarge Africa Plc, the Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Institute of Landscape Horticulturists, and the National Youth Service Corps also gave goodwill messages
The event ended with the Commissioner for Forestry leading a tree planting session. Hundreds of tree seedlings were given out to local governments, private estates, volunteer groups, and communities for further planting.
