By Yinka Aderibigbe
Oke made the remarks at the commemoration of the Year 2021 Tree Planting Day held on Wednesday 14th July 2021 at the Rotimi Williams Estate, Kay Farms, Obawole.
According to the Executive Chairman, some of the benefits of planting trees included beautification of the environment, protection against erosion, cheapest action against climate change, reduction against erosion and storms, improvement of oxygen and water quality, and serving as shelter.
The Chairman said one of the reasons the programme was brought to Rotimi Williams Estate was because he wanted everyone to see some of the good works the Estate was doing in planting trees, creating parks and beautifying the environment.
Also in the event, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Chairman of the Local Government, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, said the theme of this year’s tree planting exercise was to highlight the importance of trees in healing the world from the devastating effect of COVID-19 pandemic. He therefore enjoined Lagosians to protect the natural spaces.
The Governor noted that it is gratifying that many Lagosians had become enthusiastic about tree planting in Lagos State.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, in his speech read by Mr. Kehinde Ajiboye, said the Tree Planting Day celebration has grown to be one of the largest and veritable platforms for environmental public outreach in the State which is celebrated annually by thousands of people, groups and organisations across the State.
The Commissioner spoke about some of the projects being embarked upon to inculcate the habit of tree planting in the children. These included an art competition on the theme: “Restore and Recover” for school children between 4 years and 12 years old and the proposed establishment of mini botanical gardens in State primary and secondary schools.
In his goodwill speech, the CDC Chairman, Pastor Samuel Opajobi, encouraged every CDA and their members to have a target of planting a tree in front of their houses.
The Chairman of K Farms Residents Association, Pastor Adeyemi thanked the Local Government for bringing the Tree Planting programme to their Estate. He said the Estate was a good representation of of the programme as they were vigorously and continually improving the environment by creating parks within the Estate.
The Supervisor for the Environment, Hon. Sesi Smith, in delivering the vote of thanks cited God for the success of the last Tree Planting Day under the present Administration. He also thanked everyone present for making the programme a success, especially the Kay Farms community for accepting to host the programme in their estate.
Other participants at the programme included the Secretary to the Local Government, Pastor Ayo Jeje; the Leader of the House, Hon. Akinola Abiodun; the Council Manager, Mr. A.Ogunbambi; the Iyaloja-General of Ifako-Ijaiye, Chief (Mrs) Doyin Coker-Ogunbiyi; the HOD Environment, Sanitarian Sangolana, other management staff; and several community leaders.