“Plant More Trees, Protect Your Environment” -Expert

The Managing Director, Atelewo Horticultural Services, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, Mr. Adegbenro Mutiu, has advocated for more tree planting so as to protect the environment from harsh weather conditions.

Mutiu said in  an interview with our correspondent that massive planting of trees would help the country combat the impact of climate change and  protect  the environment against weather problems like wind, erosion and many more.

“The need for us to plant tree in our environment cannot be over emphasised.  Our environment is our life and when we take good care of it, when we protect it, we live long. The oxygen we take in comes from the plants, which means that the more plants we have in our environment, the healthier the air we breathe in and the longer we live” he said.

He commended the state government for embarking on the beautification of the state with parks, gardens and landscaping but said  attention should also be given to the maintenance of the existing parks and gardens so that the huge capital invested on the would not be a waste.

“Government is making effort to beautifying the state with gardens, Parks and landscaping but they need maintenance. Take the Airforce Park for instance that park would have been generating a lot of money for the state if it was regularly maintained. But unfortunately, the reveres is the case”, he noted.  

Taking about the economic prospects of horticulture, Mutiu said it is a rewarding occupation which makes one self reliant and financially stable, adding that for one to succeed in the business, he must have courage, patience  and interest in the job.

“For you to be a successful horticulturist, you must have eth interest and love for nature. If you have any other  motive other than this,  you will fin it difficult to make it”, he advised.

He encouraged unemployed youths and anybody who has the interest to join the business as the initially capital requirement is very minimal.

He said  with as little as N30,000.00 and a good space, one can start the business and  make a comfortable living out of it, provided he is hard-working, patient and courageous.