Environment
Society To Plant .5million Trees In Nigeria
The Botanical Society of Nigeria (BOSON) it will plant five hundred thousand trees across the country.
Its President, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, made this known in Sokoto at the opening of the 25h Annual Conference of the society.
The conference’s theme is: “Repositioning Botany for Economic and Environmental Transformation of Nigeria”.
Ogundipe said: “The tree seedlings were donated to the society by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
“The exercise will cover the entire country and 20,000 of such trees will be planted in Sokoto State.
“The gesture is aimed at helping to mitigate the effect of climate change, desertification, flooding, gully and coastal erosion, among others.”
Ogundipe said that trees have many advantages ranging from economic, ecological, medicinal, among others.
“The society is venturing into applied science to help in solving some of the problems in the society like plant allergies and the impact of global warming on the ecosystem,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Alhassan Gani, said that plants help to nurture and nourish the environment.
“The society is key to the ongoing diversification of the economy, boosting food security and taming the global warming,” he said.
Also, the Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, said that plants play overwhelming benefits and roles in the natural ecosystem.
“This is because, life depends on plant and its products directly or indirectly.
“The conference’s theme perfectly reflects the current realities of the world and Nigeria.
“The dwindling oil reserves and the fall of oil price in the international markets have dealt a heavy blow on the Nigerian economy as witnessed in the current recession we are experiencing.
“Hence, the need to diversify the economy, especially with agriculture as the fulcrum for recovery and growth,” Zuru said.
Prof. Alfred Oteng-Yeboah of the Department of Plants and Environmental Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, advised the society to be actively involved in the national economic, social and environmental activities.
“I also expect the society to be projected into a force of conscience for national development, at least in this era of sustainable development,” Oteng-Yeboah said.
Our correspondent said that highlight of the event was the flag off of the planting of trees in the North-West by Zuru and Ogundipe.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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