Chidiebele Obika | I-Witness News
The Wife of the Governor of Anambra state, Dr Mrs. Nonye Soludo has called on residents of the state to key into the clean, green and sustainable initiative of the Solution Government pointing out that no one will ever be wrong planting a tree.
Dr Soludo made the call during the Tree Planting and Urban forestation launch organised today by the Ministry of Environment to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day held at the Orpet premises/Immigration junction, Agu Awka.
Said she, ” This is for the clean, green and sustainable Anambra state. In my initiative, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, Environment is one of the pillars. Tree planting is very good to our environment and state. What we are doing today is very good to our dear state and the world. You can never go wrong planting a tree. We keep cutting down trees, this is not good.
Moreover, she suggested that the ministry of environment should have a number to call whenever anyone sees somebody cutting down trees in the state.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Commissioner for Environment in Anambra state, Engr. Dr Felix Odiegwu pointed out that since the inception of the government of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR., that the ministry had done the following: ” One house, two trees campaign. This initiative mandates that every land owner plants at least two trees within his compound. The cut-one-plant-three initiative ensures replacement of every tree cut down for whichever purpose. The State Government distributes and plants over one million hybrid Malaysian coconut trees and oil palms seedlings annually across all 21 Local Government Areas by sustainably empowering her citizens with these seedlings to plant. We also gift trees as birthday souvenirs to important personalities to encourage personal involvement in nurturing the environment. Key reforestation projects include the Unizik Forest Reserve, Enugwu Ukwu erosion site, Ekwueme Square, and the Anambra State House of Assembly. Recently, the Federal Government planted 3,000 oil palms on erosion-prone sites in Nibo Awka as phytocontrol bioremediation measure to check erosion. The launch of greening projects at Amazon Estates being developed by Senatorch and others further buttresses the deliberate intention of Anambra State Government to make Anambra A Green State.”
He highlighted some of the benefits of trees to include; ” Trees are indispensable for the survival of all living beings. They offer food, shelter, and medicinal resources. They support diverse ecosystems, ensuring their stability and preventing biodiversity losses. Trees produce food and contribute it to the entire ecosystem, benefiting all living creatures. Many trees also possess medicinal properties, with their roots, branches, leaves, and fruits being used in traditional herbal medicine.”
Continuing, the commissioner said, ” We are committed to enhancing the ecological and climate resilience of Anambra. By launching this tree planting and urban forestation initiative, we aim to revive eroded lands and beautify our environment. We have designated June 10th as Anambra Tree Planting Day, which is included in the environmental bill before the House of Assembly. Our vision is to see Anambra’s streets, roads, and highways adorned with trees, creating a green canopy.
On his part, the Anambra State Assembly House Committee Chairman on Environment, Hon. Chuks Azotani commended the government of Anambra state led by the Solution Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo CFR for his never-ending initiatives on environment and the Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu for following through with all the policies of government on environment.
In their goodwill messages, Dr John Ogbodo, founding Director, Sahelian Institute For Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED), House of Assembly Member, Hon. Eze Golden Ilo and Prof. Ngozi Ezenwa-Ohaeto commended the commissioner for all his efforts at ensuring that the Anambra environment is better than he met it.
The Speaker of the Anambra state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sir Somtochukwu Udeze, Majority Leader of House of Assembly, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, Acting VC, COOU, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, Commissioners like, Dr Afam Obidike (Health), Mrs Ify Obinabo (Women and Social Welfare), Hon. Patrick Agha Mba (Youths and Sports), Christian Udechukwu (Industry), Hon. Ossy Onuko (ACTDA), Arc. Michael Okonkwo (AURC), Hon. Mike Ozoemena (ASWAMA) and Hon. Emeka Iloghalu (FABDA).
Others were SPADS like Dr Nelson Omenugha (Youth Empowerment), Chief Bobmanuel Udokwu (Culture, Tourism and Entertainment), Hon. Evaristus Ubah (Markets), Mr. Tochukwu Obodogha (Perm. Sec. Ministry of Environment), Dr Anselm Onuorah (Fmr TC Chairman, Anambra East LGA) and others attended the event.
