Group flags off Gmelina tree planting in Ekiti

.Warns against deforestation

An environmental foundation, under the auspices of the ECOWEB360, has flagged off planting of 400-Gmelina trees in Ekiti State to prevent global warming and greenhouse effects.

The flag-off took place, at the weekend, at the group’s summer environmental outreach in Awajin Community, Olujoda, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Chief Coordinating Officer of ECOWEB360, Olajumoke Adeseko, who spoke at the event, decried the recent floodings in various parts of the country, which she said, necessitated urgent actions by the team to contrive ways on how to control the gravity of climate change.

Adeseko, who was represented by the Environmental Officer, Bola Olaboye, said the impacts of global warming and greenhouse effects reverberated in all facets of life, ranging from health issues and well-being of the people, adding that the tree planting would capture two states in the South-West, which include Ekiti and Ondo.

She noted that the effects of the phenomena had manifested as seen in disease outbreak, intensified rainfall, flash floods, soil degradation, loss of lives and property, and the unsettling disruption of livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Coordinator of ECOWEB360, Adeyanju Ayodele, who highlighted the importance of tree planting, said it had reduced flood and erosion, purified the air and generated ventilations for the community.

Besides, he said the essence of tree planting includes medicinal purposes, beauty and cosmetics, clothing, among others.

Ayodele, while calling on the community and Ekiti State residents to steer clear of deforestation, urged Nigerians to sanitise their homes and place a premium on tree planting in a bid to fight global warming and greenhouse effects.

“We are using the Gmelina tree because of its many advantages and benefits to mankind.
“Gmelina’s flower is used to heal leprosy, its fruit is used to grow more hair, its root is used to treat poison and its sap can be used to treat gonorrhea, cough and wound, among others,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of Awajin Community, Kehinde Adeniyi Adeyeye, lauded the three-man team for their selfless and humanitarian efforts, and promised to join the fight against global warming and greenhouse effects for the betterment of mother nature.