Climate Change: Kwara govt, ACReSAL to plant 160,000 trees

Kwara State government has collaborated with the Universal Climate Initiative (UCI) and the Federal Government’s Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) to commence the planting of 160,000 trees across the state.

In the move to reclaim degraded lands, the government has planned to use 35 hectares of land in its ongoing statewide campaigns against climate change.

Consequently, it has flagged off the planting of 10,000 trees in each of the 16 local governments and the unveiling of Eedu Ramoni, which took place on Friday at Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area, where 1,600 trees were planted.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated that the effort was the beginning of a transformative process that seeks to restore the environment and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

“We are not merely planting trees today; we are, in effect, planting hope,” he said, adding that “each tree represents our collective commitment to nurturing our ecosystem and preserving the natural heritage of Kwara State.

“It is a symbol of our dedication to creating a greener, healthier environment for our children and grandchildren, and a promise that we will leave behind a world better than we found it,” he noted.

Represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, AbdulRazaq hinted that the initiative also exemplified his government’s commitment to partnership and collaboration, ensuring that the benefits of good governance reach the grassroots in line with the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Describing trees as not just part of our landscaping, “they are essential to our very existence. They purify the air we breathe, provide shelter for wildlife, and combat climate change by absorbing harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” he explained.

According to him, tree planting is therefore a vital step in safeguarding the planet’s future and promoting human health and well-being.

Shamsudeen Aregbe, the state coordinator of ACReSAL, said the agency targets one million hectares of land across the country for tree planting, of which 35,000 hectares are in Kwara.

According to him, of the number, 25,000 hectares are in Patigi Local Government ARea, while the remaining 10,000 hectares are spread across the other 15 local governments.

He said: “ACReSAL is poised to ensure that no land is allowed to either be degraded or deforested and to recover the degraded ones.”

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In his welcome address, the initiator and project lead of UCI, Mr Opeyemi AbdulHafiz Alao, explained that Eedu Ramoni is a revolutionary, eco-friendly briquette made from 100% organic raw materials, including agricultural waste products like orange peels, banana peels, corn husks, rice husks, and other biodegradable waste.

According to him, the innovative product will serve as a sustainable and cleaner alternative to traditional charcoal, which is typically made by cutting down trees.

He listed the benefits of Eedu Ramoni as environmental sustainability since it is produced entirely from organic waste; reducing the need for deforestation, offering a viable substitute for charcoal, and helping to protect forests by ensuring that trees are preserved for industrial use rather than for burning.

Alao said Eedu Ramoni would guarantee a cleaner and healthier environment, unlike conventional charcoal, which produces harmful smoke and pollutants.

He added that it also assures job opportunities, particularly for youth and women in rural communities. “Through collaboration with our technical consultants, we provide training on how to produce these briquettes, allowing individuals to generate income while contributing to environmental conservation.”

Made from readily available agricultural waste, he said the item is affordable, accessible, and a cost-effective fuel option, particularly for rural areas where traditional charcoal is either expensive or hard to come by.

He said the UCI embarked on an ambitious mission to plant 160,000 economic trees across Kwara State, targeting 10,000 trees per local government area to combat climate change, restore deforested areas, and create opportunities for economic growth while fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.