AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, IBADAN
The Scout Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Council, has called for mass planting of trees in a renewed effort towards fighting climate change to save humanity from threats of hunger, diseases and death.
The group spoke at the Ilaji Hotels and Resorts in the Ona Ara Local Government Area of the state at the weekends during the 2021 World Environment Day.
The Scouts described tree planting as a pragmatic approach to mitigating the effects of climate change.
The President, Scout Association of Nigeria in the state, Mr Obafunso Ogunkeye, said the environment should be well protected and fortified for better living.
While addressing the leadership of the association, the Commissioner for Environment, Lateef Oyeleke, expressed worries that to a great extent, human activities hamper the ecosystem.
This, according to him, accounts for climate change.
Oyeleke, who was represented on the occasion by the Assistant Director, Forestry, Kayode Ariori, said tree planting, as being exemplified by the Scout, would boost food production and improved health.
“Tree planting is very good.The emission of green house gases and other human activities are the reasons for climate change.
“Resuscitation of the ecosystem, as being done today, can help fight poverty, improve human health and boost food production because the land will become fertile,” he said.
However, he said improper waste disposal, river pollution and emission of free house gases, especially at urban centres, were inimical to the environment.
The Scout Headquarters Commissioner, ICT, Oluwafemi Abioye, listed charcoal production as a major factor that is responsible for environmental degradation.
Abioye said, “Poor management of our forest resources have led to the climate change that we are witnessing now especially in the South-West where rainfall pattern has changed within the last two years.
“Continuous and uncontrolled felling of trees is one of the key reasons for change in climate, unfortunately, most of the trees were used for charcoal production.
“Charcoal production is a business activity that needs to be controlled with strict rules for participants to ensure reforestation or tree planting is mandatory for those in the charcoal production.”
In his address, the Chairman of Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, Dotun Sanusi, lauded the people of Cross River State for engaging in healthy lifestyles that support the environment.
Also, he commended the Oyo State Chapter of the The Scouts Association of Nigeria for what he called “the great initiative.” He also expressed appreciation to the state government for creating an enabling environment for the conservation of the environment.
He concluded by saying, “We need to save the environment in other to save our own lives.”
