The Rotary Club of Yaba, Lagos, within the week commenced the 2021 tree planting campaign as it planted trees within the premises of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba.
Rotarian Kazeem Labaika, the Change Maker President of Yaba Rotary Club 2021/2022 explained that the exercise, that forms one of the cardinal focuses of District 9110, was to mitigate against disasters that could be caused by human deforestation activities to mother Earth without consideration of the danger it poses to human existence and the environment.
“This is a change maker era and all actions and deeds of the Yaba Rotary Club are geared towards this direction to effect positive changes in society and make the environment safe.
” This is the third project done by the Rotary Club of Yaba. We have inaugurated Rotaract Club at the Lagos City College, we have visited the Hope for the Slump Floating School and now the tree landing at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba. We will also plant trees at the main campus of the Yaba College of Technology,” he added.
Doyen of Rotary, Rotarian Joseph Osikomaya said the tree planting exercise was meant to save the mother earth from deforestation, erosion and promote nature that gives life to mankind.
He reiterated that the Rotary Club supports the government programme of tree planting, saying the club has made it mandatory for clubs within the district to plant trees deliberately to replace what has been lost due to indiscriminate tree felling.
Rotarian Akin Adewale Abdul, representing, District 9110 and member Planet Earth Committee said all clubs under the district, which covers Lagos and Ogun States are expected to plant at least100 trees.
“For this Rotary year, we are looking at planting over 20,000 trees all over the district.
“The essence of the exercise is to ensure that we beautify our environment, protect the earth and have a healthy environment by encouraging forestation and discourage people from engaging in deforestation.
Addressing the question on the need to sustain the exercise, Rotarian Abdul explained that the plants are expected to be maintained by clubs, embark on the adoption of roundabouts for flower planting.
“The sustainability of the project is dependent on the club because club they are expected to plant trees and flowers in the communities where they meet and have their functions. This is to enable them to see for themselves the survival of the trees as they go around the communities.
“From the District, awards are given to clubs that are maintaining what was planted in previous years without abandoning such projects.
” This is to encourage them and ensure the sustainability of the plants. “Besides, they are also expected to file reports with pictorial evidence for proper assessment of previous projects to ensure sustained growth. Each club is expected to maintain and nurture the trees to maturity.
He added, “Besides, there is a committee set up for the project in every club to maintain the plants and sometimes such nurturing could be contracted to gardeners to ensure the plants are watered and trimmed to ensure steady growth.”
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