The Kwara State Government has advised members of the public to stop deforestation but plant trees to secure the planet for the benefit of the generations to come in protecting their environment against hazards.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Pastor Abraham Kola Ojo gave this advice during the commemoration of the 2021 International Day of Forests with the theme “FOREST RESTORATION: A pathway to recovery and well-being” held at Agba Flower Garden in Ilorin.
According to him, this year’s celebration “calls for action in view of the huge annual losses and climate change issues, which needs the attention of mobilizing resources towards restoring and expanding existing forests.”
Pastor Ojo emphasized the need to know the importance of forest in view of today’s direct actions towards tree planting.
“Forests are vital to the health of everyone and they provide humanity with countless benefits because they serve as part of our livelihood,
Provides clean air we breath and the water we drink, they act as our natural defence against climate changes”, he said.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Forestry of the Ministry, Alhaji Babatunde Idris Mahmud said there was the need for every citizen to know the importance of tree planting and how to protect it for its usefulness and to secure the future.
He debunked the rumour that the state government has delegated forest responsibilities to any private entity.
Mahmud warned that on no account should anyone disguise as State Forest Officer to extort money from anyone, adding that anybody caught would be sanctioned.
He said as the Ministry was saddled with the responsibilities of carrying out any transactions, it should be contacted for relevant information in order not to be misled.
The Chief Executive Officer of a Non- Governmental Organization, Save Sahara Network, Dr. Babalola Folaranmi in his goodwill message, said the danger lies in human lives when a tree falls and not replaced.
He advised that when a tree falls, three to five trees should be planted in replacement for the survival of all.
Dominica Nwabufo
