A non-governmental organisation, Save the Children International, alongside other stakeholders in the environmental sector, has said there is a need to imbibe the culture of tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The stakeholders made the call at the Climate and Sensitisation Activity and Tree planting exercise to celebrate the World Environment Day on Tuesday in Abuja.

The programme was organised by SCI Nigeria under its Children’s Generation Hope Campaign, in partnership with Abuja Environmental Protection Board at Junior Secondary School, Piwoyi Community, Federal Capital Territory.

According to the Advocacy Campaign Policy Manager, SCI, Ifedilichukwu Innocent, the effect of climate change is on the rise and children bear the brunt of it most.

Mr Innocent said that as a child-centred organisation, SCI designed its programmes around health, nutrition, livelihood, climate change and others and works towards protecting children.

He said, “We are happy as an organisation to be part of this year’s tree planting working with government and other stakeholders. We are using this opportunity to also encourage school children to also be part of the tree planting. What that is doing is helping them to know is that they have to work hard to safeguard the environment. So we are happy that the children are adding their voices and participating in planting these trees.’’

Mr Innocent said that there were benefits associated with tree planting ranging from health to economic, among others.

He added that the action informed children about their environment and helped them to work towards safeguarding it.

Mr Innocent encouraged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of tree planting to promote green environment and tackle climate change.

Deputy Director Environmental Management Department, AEPB, Rebecca Mamnven, said the theme for 2024 World Environment Day was “Land Restoration, rehabilitation and drought resilience.”

Ms Mamven explained that AEPB’s purpose was to sensitise communities to seek ways to restore the land back from degradation and stop desertification.

She added that the board was also working to promote drought resilience with planting of different types of trees and plants.

She said, “In the north especially, we experience drought a lot; so, we are here to celebrate this day with our children and to teach them how to address these things.’’

Deputy Director, Education and Principal, Junior Secondary school Piwoyi, Pauline Nwagugu, commended the stakeholders for bringing the tree planting project to the school.

Ms Nwagugu said that she was a lover of the green environment and had been planting trees in the school since she was transferred there.

She, however, expressed gratitude that the students were being carried along to promote a green environment and assured the group of the school’s commitment to sustaining the project.

The Chief of Piwoyi, Tanko Bahago, said the idea of planting trees in communities and schools was a welcome development.

Mr Tanko said that the community had plans to plant trees around but was waiting for the rainy season to do that.

“By planting trees on this day, we actively contribute to the preservation of our environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,’’ he said.

He thanked the stakeholders for the initiative and for remembering his community for such a laudable project.

(NAN)