The Nasarawa State Government has launched a tree-planting initiative aimed at planting 100 trees in every school across the state.
The tree-planting initiative was led by Governor Abdullahi Sule, Emir of Lafia, Justice Sudi Bage-Muhammad and Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margret Elayo, in Lafia.
The governor flagged off the planting of the 100 trees at Dunama Secondary School, Lafia.
Speaking after the exercise, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources said the inauguration of the initiative for schools was part of the January sanitation exercise.
Elayo noted that the effort was part of the state government’s environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation strategy in line with the policy of the Federal Government.
She emphasised the importance of tree planting in combating climate change, soil erosion, and promoting biodiversity.
The commissioner said that the government had put machinery in motion to nurture the trees and encouraged teachers and students to join the initiative to protect the environment.
She also called on members to adopt the tree-planting habit and desist from cutting trees without replacing them.
“This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s and global efforts to increase green cover and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” the Commissioner noted.
On the January sanitation exercise, the commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance by members of the public.
She described the compliance as impressive and attributed it to support from security agencies, traditional rulers, media, and inspection teams from the ministry.
Elayo, however, warned residents against dumping waste in the drains to avoid disaster, especially now that the rainy season is approaching.
The commissioner called on members of the public to always keep their environments clean to guard against the outbreak of diseases.
“If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of any disease, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,’’ she added.