Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, in partnership with the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has carried out a major tree-planting exercise at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment in Abuja.
The initiative, which involved the planting of over 20,000 indigenous tree seedlings, marked a significant contribution to Nigeria’s fight against deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. It also reaffirmed Julius Berger’s broader commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
The exercise, a collaborative blend of expertise and shared vision, saw FRIN leading the technical aspects of species selection and ecological suitability, while the NCF contributed decades of conservation experience and community engagement. Julius Berger provided funding and coordination support.
Speaking at the event, the Dean of the Faculty of General Research at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), Major General J.Y. Maina, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. O.O. Oluyede, underscored the strategic importance of environmental protection to national security.
He said, “Today’s exercise is a practical demonstration of our shared recognition that environmental protection is inseparable from national security. Climate change, desertification, and environmental degradation pose long-term threats to our country’s stability. Tree planting is not just an ecological necessity; it is a strategic investment in our collective future.”
He praised Julius Berger’s leadership and commitment, describing the collaboration as “a shining example of how the military, government institutions, and the private sector can work together for sustainable development.”
The Zonal Coordinator of the NCF, Mr Garba Boyi, who represented the Director-General, Dr Joseph Onoja, said the Foundation is a non-governmental organisation focused on biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
“For us to achieve that, we have developed an initiative we call Green Recovery Nigeria. This initiative is meant to salvage the situation of our vegetation. Going by statistics, we have less than 10 per cent of our vegetation cover left. So, we, as an organisation, feel the need to contribute our quota to complement government activity by planting trees,” Boyi said.
He commended Julius Berger for its involvement in the tree planting exercise and expressed gratitude for the support. “This is really a big feat, and we are sincerely grateful to the company for giving us the funds. We are really excited that Julius Berger gets to be on this journey with us,” he added.
The Chief Executive of Ceed Africa Limited, Dr Okechukwu Ogbonna, also thanked Julius Berger for its funding support, while the Director of FRIN, Prof Zacharia Buba Yadura, appreciated the construction company for its collaboration. He said, “We didn’t have sponsors or partners, and Julius Berger decided, through the NCF, to be a partner of this initiative. We are grateful to Julius Berger for joining us on this vital journey.”
The event drew stakeholders from the public, private, and military sectors, including the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarbe Abbas Lawal, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Mahmud Adam Kambari; Major General J.Y. Maina; Major General O. Nwachukwu, Director of Coordination and Linkages at NAHFC; Brigadier General M.I. Amatso, Corps Commander of the Nigerian Army Women Corps; Prof. Zacharia Buba Yadura, Director-General of FRIN; Mr Garba Boyi, Zonal Coordinator of the NCF; and Dr Christopher Nwadike, Liaison Officer of FRIN. The Julius Berger delegation included Emmanuel Isibor, Daniel Isichei, and Uzoma Olivia.
