The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), has announced its partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), in a move to curb deforestation and promote environmental conservation.
The collaboration saw the duo embark on a transformative afforestation and natural resource management initiative to rejuvenate the Ajingi Forest Reserve located in Kano State, Northwest Nigeria. It also witnessed the flag-off of 5,000 tree plantings in the Forest Reserve, as part of its overall goal of planting 50,000 trees by 2027.
Beyond merely replenishing the forest cover, the planting of these trees also aims to sequester carbon dioxide, a significant contributor to global climate action.
Board Director, BATN Foundation, Odiri Erewa-Meggison expressed the project’s significance, emphasizing that it extends beyond planting of 5,000 trees. She highlighted the continuous dedication, education, and community involvement required for the journey toward environmental restoration and sustainability.
“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 up our rural and farming communities for a sustainable future,” she stated.
The Director-General, NCF, Joseph Onoja, expressed the Foundation’s delight at the partnership, saying this would go a long way in enhancing efforts, around the world, towards getting a friendlier environment, especially at a time the world is confronted with the adverse effects of climate change.
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