The Chairman, Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr. Akinsanya Lasisi Ayinde and his Agbado Oke-Odo counterpart, Mr. David Famuyiwa, have advised residents of their respective domains to plant more trees in order to sustain the environment and combat climate change.
They gave this advice on Sunday at separate events to celebrate the Year 2024 Tree Planting and Sensitisation Campaign Day.
During the event, with the theme “Nature Our Future”, Akinsanya urged residents to plant trees, for a sustainable environment.
According to him, planting of trees would ensure a healthy and beautiful environment for residents.
He said the unwholesome activities endangering the environment within communities have become worrisome for the government.
“It has, therefore, become expedient that everyone must join the current face of environmental regeneration.
“Please join the crusade to sustain a healthy environment for future generations by beautifying and enhancing the aesthetics of your tenements and the environment.
“Residents should clear tertiary drains in front of their tenements and desist from dumping refuse into the drainage channels and water bodies.
“They should desist from the indiscriminate burning of refuse and plant trees at every given opportunity,’’ he said.
Akinsanya said the government is committed to the green campaign, hence people should continue to embrace its noble objectives.
He then encouraged the planting of trees in the community, and discouraged cutting down of trees, as well as dumping of refuse in the drainage, stating that planting trees provides aesthetics and a beautiful environment in the society.
The traditional ruler of of Akesan, Oba Nojeem Abidemi Aberejo Ogunjobi the third, advised all residents to protect and nurture the planted trees to maturity, adding that “trees are beneficial to the existence of man, animals, and the environment. When a tree is cut down, it should be replaced by five trees to avoid deforestation.”
Embrace tree planting to combat climate change
In Agbado Oke-Odo, the Chairman, Mr. David Famuyiwa lamented how climate change has dealt with African Nations in particular and the world in general due to felling of trees and inadequate planting of trees, stressing that cutting of trees threatens not only the economy and health, but also the planet.
Speaking at the annual Lagos State Tree Planting Campaign held at the African Church Primary School, Meiran, Famuyiwa charged every resident to set a new target where tree planting will be a way of life and culture.
“As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees provide many benefits to us, every day. They offer cooling shades, attract birds and wildlife, purify our air, prevent soil erosion, clean our water, and add grace and beauty to our homes and communities,” he said.
He, therefore, appealed to residents to take up the task of policing the environment by ensuring that no one cuts down any tree without showing a permit authorising such action.
The Vice Chairman, who doubles as the Supervisor for Environment, Mrs. Ajoke Moromoke Aminat Obe and the Head of Department, Environmental Services, Sanitarian Olubunmi Okeowo also emphasized the need for continuous planting of trees.
The highlight of the campaign was the taking of turns to plant different types of trees by the attendees.
Others present at the yearly event were Cabinet Members of the Council led by the Secretary to the Local Government, Akinwumi James Odeyemi, the Leader of the House, Hon. Olatunji Ogunyemi and the other Councilors, the Management Team led by the Council Manager, Mr. Olugbenga Shogbanmu, Chairman, League of Imams, Chief Imam Alani Mahmood Raji, CDC Secretary, Mr. Shakiru Oguntola, artisans and other stakeholders.
