In a bold move to combat environmental degradation, First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo, has launched the 2024 Anambra Tree Planting Day and Urban Forestation initiative.
The event, which took place at Orpet Fuel Station in Agu Awka, marks a significant step towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for the state.
Mrs. Soludo, speaking passionately about the importance of the initiative, stated, “Trees are life, and we must strive for a clean, green, and sustainable Anambra State.” She emphasized that tree planting is a fundamental pillar of her Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo campaign, underscoring its vital role in environmental preservation.
The First Lady urged citizens to embrace tree planting, saying, “We can never go wrong with planting trees. When we cut down trees, we kill our environment, but today, with the Solution government in charge and also to the Ministry of Environment spearheaded by Dr. Felix Odimegwu, we are bringing back tree planting culture and restoring back our environment.”
Mrs. Soludo also called for a collective effort to protect the environment, urging those who cut down trees to desist from such practices. She proposed the establishment of a toll number for residents to report incidents of tree cutting, demonstrating her commitment to proactive environmental protection.
Dr. Felix Odimegwu, the Commissioner for Environment, highlighted the historic significance of the event, noting that this is the first time a tree planting day has been passed into law by the Anambra State House of Assembly. He emphasized the numerous benefits of trees, including their role as nature’s air filters, prevention of soil erosion, and reduction of runoff.
As Anambra State embarks on this ambitious tree planting initiative, it sets a precedent for other states to follow suit in the battle against environmental degradation. The event serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role each individual plays in preserving our planet for future generations.
Acting Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Prof Kate Omenugha said the dream Soludo have for Anambra will work, a dream of planting 1 million trees within five years. She noted that on the 17th of July, the university will be launching, one staff one tree, one student, one tree initiative. Its going to be a thing that will be unforgettable, so I call on every one to join hands and see that these realities come to fruition.
Chairman, Urban Regeneration Council, (URC), Arc Mike Okonkwo maintained that the vision is in line with Governor Soludo initiative to make the state a liveable green and prosperous state. Tree planting is a key factor in urban regeneration because you cannot have a good environment without trees.
He noted that tree planting is not one man show and that is why the Governor made it mandatory. Tree planting involves individual and collective hands to achieve and so I call on eveyone to contribute his/her own quota to Urban forestry.
Also speaking, pioneer Nollywood actor, and special assistant to Mr Governor on Entertainment, pleasure and Torurism, Bob Manual Udokwu noted that tree planting is a important to the society especially this time we challenges like dryness, flooding, landslide, erosion and other issues. The vision is to have aclean, green and sustainable environment. So it’s the vision of Mr Governor that we key in to this initiative so as to achieve it.
Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu and Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, praised the developmental strides by the Soludo administration in agriculture and environmental management, noting that the initiative is expected to mobilize thousands of volunteers, including students, to participate in planting and caring for the trees even as they urged the community to join hands in making Anambra a livable smart mega-city.
