Rotary District 9127 says it has planted 700 tree seedlings at various locations in Jos metropolis, Plateau State, as part of its mandate for environmental sustainability and green improvement.

District Governor of Rotary District 9127, Mike Nwanoshiri, said this on Wednesday in Jos during the tree planting project.

He said that the College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, Plateau State Secretariat and the Jos Wildlife Park were the locations picked within Jos metropolis for the tree planting exercise.

He said that the project was to promote urban greening, enhance air quality, and support climate resilience in the city.

Mr Nwanoshiri said that 300 tree seedlings were planted at the College of Health Sciences, located at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

He said, “These trees improve the air quality as they absorb pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, and release oxygen. The tree roots help in binding the soil, thereby preventing erosion and landslides. Trees also provide shades and reduce water evaporation from the soil, while also providing biodiversity.’’

The district governor appealed to the University of Jos management, to ensure that the tree seedlings were nurtured to maturity.

Responding, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof Tanko Ishaya, commended Rotary for the initiative and for choosing the college for the project.

Mr Ishaya represented the Provost, College of Health Sciences, UNIJOS, Prof Aboy Madaki, said the move was to build planetary health.

According to him, plants and humans complement each other, as plants produce oxygen that humans inhale, and inhale the carbon dioxide that humans exhale.

The VC assured that the trees would be nurtured to maturity and would not be felled.

Chief Medical Director of JUTH, Dr Pokop  Bupwatda, said that the gesture was a great feat for the college, and the host community as the trees would serve as wind breakers as well as purify the air in the environment.

200 tree seedlings were planted at both the Plateau State Secretariat and the Jos Wildlife Park.

The project was done in collaboration with Rotary clubs of Jos Central, Jos Utan, Naraguta and E Club of Eagle Nigeria.

(NAN)