By FABIAN EKERUCHE

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has unveiled a one-billion indigenous trees planting project in honour of its President Emeritus, Chief Philip Asiodu, for his contributions to environmental conservation.

The project, known as the Asiodu One Billion Indigenous Trees Legacy Project, was announced at the NCF Green Ball, organised on Saturday night to celebrate Asiodu’s contributions to public service and conservation.

Speaking at the unveiling, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, President, Board of Trustee, NCF, said the initiative would mobilise governments, civil society organisations, schools, businesses and communities across Nigeria to plant one billion indigenous trees in one day.

Osinbajo said the project was conceived to immortalise Asiodu’s legacy of environmental protection, particularly his advocacy for forest conservation and ecosystem restoration.

He said Asiodu played a significant role in the NCF’s Green Recovery Nigeria initiative, launched between 2016 and 2017, with the goal of restoring Nigeria’s forest cover to 25 per cent by 2047.

He said the initiative had promoted reforestation and ecosystem restoration through partnerships with communities, governments and businesses, adding that more than 184,000 trees were planted in 2024 alone.

Osinbajo recalled Asiodu’s opposition to the proposed Cross River superhighway project in 2017, which threatened to destroy substantial portions of the state’s forest reserves.

He said Asiodu mobilised civil society organisations and government officials against the project, contributing to the suspension of the proposed development.

He added that Asiodu also championed the protection of endangered wildlife in Cross River, including gorillas, forest elephants, chimpanzees, pangolins and sea turtles.

He said the proposed tree-planting project would focus exclusively on indigenous species because they were better adapted to Nigeria’s environment and offered greater ecological benefits.

He said the foundation would collaborate with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and other relevant organisations to identify suitable indigenous tree species and ensure effective implementation.

He said the project would require nationwide participation and called for financial contributions, volunteers and institutional support.

He noted that Ethiopia had planted 47 billion trees between 2019 and 2026 and currently held the Guinness World Record for planting 385 million trees in a single day.

He said Ethiopia was targeting 800 million trees in another one-day exercise, adding that Nigeria had set its target at one billion trees.

He expressed confidence that the project would secure international recognition through the Guinness World Records, with participating individuals and organisations also recognised as record holders.

He urged Nigerians to support the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen environmental sustainability and preserve the country’s natural heritage. (NAN)