- Friday, May 3, 2024
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The British American Tobacco
Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation
Foundation (NCF), has initiated a transformative afforestation and natural
resource management initiative to rejuvenate the Ajingi Forest Reserve located
in Kano State, Northwest Nigeria.
At the core of this initiative
aimed at combating deforestation and promoting environmental conservation was
the flag-off of 5,000 tree plantings in the Ajingi Forest Reserve, Kano, with
the overall goal to increase this number to 50,000 trees by 2027.
BATNF, as part of its broader
community-based initiatives, supports afforestation, biodiversity conservation,
environmental protection, and the prevention of deforestation and habitat
fragmentation.
Beyond merely replenishing the
forest cover, the planting of these trees also aims to sequester carbon
dioxide, a significant contributor to global climate action.
However, the benefits of this
endeavor, according to both partners, extend beyond carbon capture, as the
restored forest will be enhancing biodiversity and promoting ecological
equilibrium.
Board Director, BATN Foundation,
Odiri Erewa-Meggison, said: “The theme of "Creating a Greener World for a
Sustainable Future" underscores the goal for a cleaner, more eco-friendly
world.
“Our commitment extends beyond
mere tree planting; it emphasizes tree planting with a purpose. Each tree
cultivates a symbol of dedication to a sustainable climate.
Erewa-Meggison emphasized that
the project's significance extends beyond the mere planting of 5,000 trees, and
highlighted the continuous dedication, education, and community involvement
required for the journey toward environmental restoration and sustainability.
“In the past decades, BATNF
accomplished a remarkable feat by planting a total of 503,000 trees across
Nigeria's diverse geopolitical zones.
“Today, we gather to mark the
flag-off of the completion of 5,000 trees already planted in Ajingi, Kano, with
a goal of planting 50,000 trees by 2027, continuing our commitment to a greener
and more sustainable future,” she said.
Erewa-Meggison also stated: “We
are in a world grappling with the grave challenges of climate change,
environmental degradation, and deforestation, which threaten the very ecosystem
that sustains us.
“We recognize that climate change
is a global crisis, and we must take local actions to mitigate its adverse
effects. By breathing new life into the forest, we are not just restoring its
beauty but also enhancing local biodiversity and contributing to a more ecologically
balanced environment.
“Each tree we have planted is not
just a number; it is our commitment to empowering our rural and farming communities
for a sustainable future.”
The Director-General, NCF, Joseph
Onoja, commended BATNF for the partnership, saying the partnership couldn’t
have come at a better time than this when the world is being confronted with
the adverse effects of climate change.
In his words: “It is our
collective responsibility to cultivate a greener world for a sustainable
future, and we are committed to doing so whenever the opportunity arises. We
aim to plant the right trees in the right places at the right time."
“This partnership between BATNF
and NCF symbolizes a critical step in addressing the global environmental
challenges we face, uniting efforts for the betterment of our planet and the
communities it supports.”
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