Residents of Victoria Garden City (VGC) have planted 300 trees in promotion of environmental sustainability and mitigation of climate change effects to mark its 30th anniversary.
VGC is both a residential and commercial area, situated in Eti-Osa Local Government Area along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.
The concept of VGC was born in the early 1990s, with about 30,000 residents and more than 3,800 trees.
The master plan included wide, tree-lined boulevards, underground drainage systems, and well-paved roads.
The residents on Tuesday in Lagos fell some old trees and planted 300 trees to promote environmental sustainability in the estate.
Mrs Lola Bolarinwa, the Chairman, VGC Property Owners & Resident Association, said the estate residents planted the new trees to replace the old trees as an environmental conscious community.
“VGC turned 30 on Nov. 16, 2024, as a community we are very big on greenery. We pride ourselves as a paradise by the lagoon and that involves trees.
“All the trees in our estates are numbered, so we actually know the number of trees that we have.
We have over 3,800 tree but this year, we had to cut down some because they were growing into other people’s houses and destroying the pavement and walkways.
“Most of the trees you see here are 30 years and above. So, we just decided that to celebrate this anniversary, we planted additional 300 trees to cover the ones that we have cut, the ones that have fallen during rain and all that.
“We are a very environmental friendly community. We pride ourselves in our trees and greenery because they give us oxygen. They help us to stop the wind from destroying our houses. And of course, for climate change.
“We know that we have to do this, because this is for the future, and we cannot just cut down trees without replanting trees.
“Some residents here are planting trees in memories of their loved ones that are late, and that for us is also a big one, because as a community, we are an inclusive community, and we pride ourselves in our diversities,” Bolarinwa said.
On her part, Mrs Temitope Okunnu, the founder FABE Foundation and Chairman VGC at 30 tree-planting committee, said the exercise was aimed at protecting the greenery legacy of the estate.
“The VGC community has found it very important to come out and plant these trees, also knowing that there is a climate crisis, and ensuring that if the trees that are going down are immediately replaced.
“If not, then we would suffer more of the consequences of climate change. If we do not replant these trees, we would lose the essence of the VGC, as a garden city.
“So, in order for us not to lose the essence on which this estate was founded upon, we need to ensure that our trees remain, and they are not depleted,” Okunnu said.
Also speaking, Mr Peter Brittain, member, VGC Facility Maintenance Management Committee, described tree planting as the core of environmental sustainability.
“Tree planting is a part of the environment. My main driver for volunteering for the committee work is to help the environment and I am a big believer in that.
“And I think the idea of tree planting is a wonderful idea and to increase the sustainability of this estate. So, the tree planting is part of promoting environmental sustainability and we are mitigating climate change effects.
“The residents here are committed to maintaining the wonderful ambience that is in the estate currently,” Brittain said.
Mr Achief Thaddeus, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency at the 10th Assembly, expressed his joy at the promotion of the greenery legacy at the estate.
“We are glad to come together as a family and to continue the VGC’s greenery legacy.
“We are planting trees in commemoration of VGC at 30, and that is our way of maintaining the estate and mitigating climate change effects depleting the ozone layer,” Thaddeus said.
Mr. Joseph Sanusi, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said the tree-planting exercise was for the preservation of VGC for future generation.
“I am planting this tree in gratitude to God. It is so important to me that when I came to live in VGC, I do not think we can find any place more beautiful, more comfortable and secure than VGC.
“I enjoy living in VGC and for us to be here, we need to see that the environment is kept and the need to plant a tree is very important.
“We are still preserving VGC by planting the tree for generations yet to come,” Sanusi said.
Another resident, Mrs Olajumoke Bakare, said she was planting the tree in memory of her late husband and to secure the greenery of the estate.
“When the tree planting idea came up, I embraced it, because it is one of the ways by which you can immortalise for a long time, a loved one.
“Planting a tree also increases the oxygen in the air, apart from the beauty, the greenery, the scenery, when you are entering VGC.
“The first thing that you see when you get into VGC is the greenery and it endears you to it.
“So, this 30th anniversary celebration is also a means of replacing the old and aging trees,” Bakare said.
By Mercy Omoike
