Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation has trained girls in selected secondary schools in Bauchi on tree planting skills to champion environmental awareness in communities in Azare, Katagum local government area of the state.
LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that the training is in line with the theme of this year’s World Environment Day: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Residence.
Managing director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe said the training was designed to support environmental sustainability through impactful initiatives such as reforestation, conservation and education.
She said, “Today, we celebrate yet another World Environment Day. A day to remind us of our responsibility to protect our planet. We only have one earth, our home. We must all join hands together to keep it clean, green and beautiful.”
Represented by Engineer Mohammed Bawa, the MD said that the focus of the tree planting was to inculcate practical, hands-on skills to ensure active participation in the tree planting exercise to instill a sense of responsibility and ownership towards environmental conservation.
“The NNPC foundation is committed to continue monitoring these plants at all locations to restore degraded lands, build resilience against drought and improve livelihoods.
“Let’s plant more trees, reduce our carbon footprint, and conserve water. Let’s say no to single-use plastics and yes to sustainable living. Let’s protect our wildlife and their habitats. Let’s make a promise to ourselves and to future generations for a safe and sustainable environment,” she said.
On his part, the district head of Azare who was represented by Magaji Dahuwa commended the NNPC Foundation for selecting Azare for the environmental protection project and for targeting girl-students to participate in the tree-planting campaign which requires collective efforts to reduce global warming.
He charged the participants to put into practice what they learnt by planting trees in their respective homes and extend the training to other women in the society with a view to intensifying the awareness on tree planting to protect the environment.