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Dame Emmanuella Fashola planting a tree during the 2012 Tree Planting Campaign at Simpson Street, Sura Market, Lagos Island.
Dame Emmanuella Fashola (2nd R) with Dr. (Mrs) Oluwafunmilayo Olatunji (2nd L), Mr. O. Onisarotu (R) and Dr. (Mrs) Titi Anibaba (L).Jul 14, 2012 - Dame Fashola Reiterates Govt's Commitment To Tree Planting
Lagos State First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola has reiterated the commitment of the State Government to keep the culture of tree planting for many years to come.
She said this at the 2012 Tree Planting Campaign at Simpson Street, Sura Market, Lagos, adding that the government would surpass the 1 million target in the next four years.
The exercise, which has the theme "Plant a tree for a better climate" and conducted by the First Lady, was also witnessed by the Coordinator of the International Foundation for better Environment, Mrs. Temitope Aderibigbe and the State Commissioner for Environment, who was represented by Mr. A Onisaruti.
Speaking, Dame Emmanuella Fashola said that by all indications, the tree planting exercise is worth doing and necessary now to check global warming.
According to her, the exercise is a global idea to regenerate the world and create healthy living for the people. "With this campaign, we are likely to surpass the 1 million trees in four years".
While commending individuals and organisations for their role in the tree planting campaign, the First Lady said that the government had reclaimed many open places from illegal occupants.
"We have come to tell a new story, a green culture of excellence, which in the recent time has afforded technocrats and expatriates to experience the beauty of nature. Today, places in Old Ipaja Road, Ikotun Ijegun Road, Iju Ishaga Road, Itamagba, Ita Oluwo, Joseph Dosu Road, Oworonshoki have got facelifts. The government has also launched climate club in schools," she said.
According to her, trees create balance of critical gases such as oxygen and carbondioxide desirable abundantly in every community.
She explained that tree planting is the responsibility of everyone and it is a process to replenish the earth. "As much as development is desirable, we must not jeopardise our life by falling the tree. We must all work for the sustainability of green plants, not only to recreate a better world but to add to the aesthetic value of the environment and act as wind breakers from windstorm," she said.
She bemoaned the indiscriminate culture of tree felling by some people, which according to her had caused global warming and its negative effects on water. "Trees give us opportunity for recreation and serve as natural heritage. In the realisation of this, the State has being planting trees to bring fresher air," she said.
She noted that the government would intensify campaign on drainage cleaning to curtail storm and make it unlawful to fall a tree.