As part of its Climate Change Agenda, the Osun State Government has revealed its plan to plant one million trees with approval already given for 100,000 in the first phase to control deforestation and increase the state’s forest coverage.
This is coming as the Forestry Council of Nigeria honoured Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Climate Change Ambassador due to his passionate interest and contributions to climate change actions and policies.
Governor Adeleke, who stated this on Wednesday, October 17, 2024, while hosting the national and state leadership of Forestry Council of Nigeria in his office, said the first phase of the tree planting session is to be followed by a wider programme targeting one million tree planting agenda.
The Governor noted further that approval had also been given for the planting of the seedlings raised to mitigate the adverse effect of climate change which is ravaging the globe adding that in the case of Osun, his administration is on top of the situation.
“I must state that what your association stands for as presented by the leadership is in agreement with my policy thrust on climate change.
“This administration is not paying lip service to the issue of afforestation, hence my approval to raise one million seedlings of exotic and indigenous trees, which we will start with one hundred thousand in the first phase.
“It will interest you to know that approval has equally been given to the planting of the seedlings raised to mitigate the adverse effect of climate change, which is ravaging the globe, but here in Osun State, I make bold to say we are on top of the situation.
“Since the activities of your association complement the functionality of the Climate Change Agenda of this administration, you can be sure of my total support of your dream and the success of your annual conference which will be memorable and positively impactful,” the Governor noted.
Speaking earlier, Dr Tajudeen Abiodun Afolabi, President, Forestry Council of Nigeria, who described Governor Adeleke as an Ambassador of Climate Change, noted that the Governor’s passion for climate change is the reason the association is bringing its next conference to Osun.
“The people’s Governor, when I came in here and saw that people’s Governor, you have done very well sir, you’ve done very well in protecting the environment, you’ve done very well in environmental sustainability of the state and by extension in Nigeria in general.
“Your passion for climate change made us decide to come and host our event in Osun.
“We will bring experts and professionals in Nigeria and beyond to come and celebrate you, celebrate your passion for climate change.
“We will be happy to work with you, we will be happy to project you to the world that this is an ambassador of climate change in Osun State and in Nigeria in general,” he stated.
Other top government functionaries at the meeting include the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye; Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina; and Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, among others.
