Environment protection: Ekiti resorts to tree planting, provides 128,000 seedlings

•To plant 750 trees around secretariat complex

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has revived tree planting in the state to replace some of the trees he said he planted when he served the state in his first term and to this end, the campaign has been taken to the state secretariat where 759 trees are to be planted to protect the environment.

The state government commenced planting the trees, saying it was “part of measures aimed at protecting public buildings from unfavorable weather conditions and possible damage from the vagaries natural elements such as rain and windstorms.”

The campaign was flagged-off on behalf of the government by the Head of Service of the state, Dr Olugbenga Faseluka, who doubles as the Chairman, Forest Regeneration Project in the state.

Dr Faseluka said on the occasion that “no fewer than 750trees would be planted in the Secretariat complex and its environs,” saying “trees would be planted around all Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as all education and health facilities in the state.

Faseluka also pointed out that the exercise would also extend to the local government secretariats in the 16 local councils in the state.

He said 128,000 seedlings of teak and gmelina had been raised for free distribution to public institutions following the flag off of the state’s Forest Regeneration Programme by Governor Fayose.

The head of service commended Fayose for what he described as “his far-sightedness on the forest regeneration initiative in the state,” and noted that “the governor initiated the cultivation of 636 hectares of gmelina and teak during his first tenure in office, which is a commendable move which was also a brilliant investment for the economy of the state.”

He said public servants should take a cue from the governor and embrace tree planting, emphasising that the support of the people would guarantee the success of the program which would make the environment cleaner and better as well as boost the revenue base of the state.

He listed the importance of trees to include serving as wind-breakers, aesthetics, as well as health benefits such as the production of oxygen through photosynthesis.