The Director-General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Mr. Joseph Onoja, urged Nigerians to commemorate birthdays and anniversaries by planting trees rather than hosting parties.
Onoja made this appeal during the inaugural Abuja Garden Festival held on Friday.
He cited the ongoing nationwide heatwave as a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change.
He emphasised the need for deliberate action on tree planting.
“Rather than throwing lavish parties for birthdays and anniversaries, consider organising tree-planting events.
“Planting trees helps build resilience against climate change, offering much-needed shade and combating issues like erosion in coastal areas and desertification in the North.”
In a keynote address, Sen. Ede Dafinone commended efforts in the Federal Capital Territory to revive green spaces.
He stressed the importance of preserving existing trees and promoting new tree-planting initiatives in schools and communities.
“The green areas must remain green. Residents, schools, and faith-based organisations should be encouraged to plant trees.
” Everyone deserves access to clean, green spaces, and Abuja should lead by example,” he said.
The event’s facilitators, Mrs. Eyamba Nzekwu and Mrs. Nana Gbolahan, said they were committed to protecting the environment.
Nzekwu pointed out that many trees are being removed without replanting.
“As residents, it is our responsibility to enhance our environment. Trees not only provide shade and act as natural windbreakers but also have medicinal value.
“Many African trees are exported for their healing properties.
‘The call to action was clear: celebrating life can also mean preserving it—one tree at a time.
