Climate change: Nigeria to plant 25m trees in 2020 – Minister

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

In a bit to tackle climate change in Nigeria, the Minister of Environment, Dr.Mohammade Abubakar said Nigeria has targeted planting 25 million tree seedlings in 2020.
Abubakar made the disclosure while inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Committee on implementation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge of planting 25 million trees yesterday in Abuja .
The minister said that, “This pledge is in furtherance of demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to emerging global solutions for addressing climate change.
“Including Nigeria’s commitment of 4million hectares to the BONN Challenge, fulfilling our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and adhering Paris Agreement.
“These collective efforts would further strengthened successes recorded in the Green Bonds and on-going afforestation and reforestation efforts by various departments and agencies in the Ministry to ensure a resilient future that mainstreams climate risks in our decision making.”
He said Nigeria will continue to provide leadership towards ecological restoration and recharge of the Lake Chad which is expected to improve the livelihoods of the nationals inhabiting the areas.
He said planting of trees would promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience, as well as assist in addressing the environmental and security crisis that threatens the region, its resources and inhabitant.
“Nigerian youth will be mobilized towards planting 25 million trees as part of Nigeria’s mitigation effort towards carbon sink.”
The minister reiterated that to actualize tree planting,the Federal Ministry of Environment appreciates the critical role of stakeholders at all levels that will ensure the objectives is attained.
He explained that Federal Ministry of Environment would provide the
required leadership role in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of information amongst others.
Earlier, State Minister of Environment, Sharon Ikeazor; in her welcoming address stated that, tree planting is difficult in serving environment and there is need to take ownership of trees planting.
While emphasizing that women and children are the key stakeholders in this ownership. “National Orientation Agency (NOA), will disseminating the information to 774 Local Government Area. Councils in Nigeria.