Climate change: NGO sets to plant one million trees across Nigeria in 10 years

The Obaubazaw Community Worldwide, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), says it will plant one million trees across the country in 10 years as part of efforts to address climate change in Nigeria.

Bishop Johnson, chairman of the planning committee, spoke on Wednesday during the unveiling of the Obaubazaw Community Worldwide Green Life Abuja revolution project.

Johnson said the project is the NGO’s contribution to help the government attain its international commitments to preserving the planet for future generations.

He noted that the community would implement humanitarian services that encourage and enhance peace, and unity, as well as dialogue about the environment and living conditions of all people in Nigeria.

He added that the reoccurring issues of climate change such as farmers-herders clashes and flooding in most parts of the country have “become paramount for everyone to act now to save the earth if our planet must be preserved for our future generations”.

“The Paris Agreement as we all know is a legally binding international treaty on climate change which was adopted by 196 parties, including Nigeria at the UN climate change conference, conference of parties (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015, and entered into force on 4 November 2016,” Johnson added.

“At a time when the people of the world are questioning the purpose of global organisations like the United Nations when the threat of major power conflict has returned.

“When rapid technological change has introduced new economic uncertainties, and when the future of the post-World War II global system itself is in question, it must be recognised that our identities and sense of worth were not circumscribed but are enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves, as nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than oneself, something that encompasses all of us but not defined by our existence alone.

“The Abuja Green Life revolution project can be cited by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as one of its steps to meet her nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LT-LEDS).”

He said the organisation will flag off the tree planting project in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja on February 10.