The Commissioner for Environment in Ekiti State, Hon Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, has officially inaugurated a significant environmental initiative to enhance the state’s green cover.
The project involves planting 1000 trees generously donated by Mrs Abigael Olagbaye, President, of Sayari Dunia Sustainable Tourism Foundation, a non-governmental organisation committed to sustainable environmental practices.
Sayari Dunia Sustainable Tourism Foundation donated the trees to launch the Reforest Africa Initiative and to prepare for the maiden Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum (ATCAF) and the fourth combined edition of Africa Tourism Day.
The tree-planting session was one of the pre-event activities of the Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum, which will take place from 23 to 26 November 2023 at Rev Abiodun Adetiloye Hall in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Hon. Aluko-Ajisafe, who graced the event with her Permanent Secretary, Mr Alokan, and other staff members, expressed enthusiasm about this initiative’s transformative impact on the state’s ecological landscape.
Hon. Aluko-Ajisafe highlighted trees’ critical role in mitigating climate change, fostering biodiversity, and improving air quality.
She emphasized the collaborative effort between the Ministry of Environment, Bureau of Tourism Development, Office of Community Communications, and Sayari Dunia in hosting the forum in Ekiti.
Hon. Aluko-Ajisafe said that collaborative effort is required to address environmental challenges. He praised the state Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, for his strident efforts to conserve and protect the Ekiti State environment.
She commended the Sarayi Dunia Sustainable Tourism Foundation for its philanthropic contribution to the state’s environmental resilience. The donated trees, a diverse selection of indigenous species, were carefully chosen to thrive in Ekiti State’s unique climate and soil conditions.
In her comment, Mrs. Abigael Adesina Olagbaye disclosed that Ekiti State was chosen for this year’s Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum because of its pristine forests.
Mrs. Olagbaye said, “We are using this particular event in Ekiti State not only to raise awareness about our event, the Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum, which is taking place here in Ado, but also to kick-start our “Re-Forest Africa”—our determination to plant 30 million trees in Africa.”
Mrs. Olagbeye praised the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, for his constant support for initiatives that border on going green and enhancing a sustainable environment.
Amb Wale Ojo-Lanre, the Director-General Bureau of Tourism Development stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals.
He thanked Mrs Olagbaye for picking Ekiti State as the venue for this year’s Africa Tourism Climate Action Forum as the initiative aligns with the state government’s commitment to environmental conservation and underscores the shared responsibility of both government and civil society in preserving natural resources for future generations.
Amb Ojo-Lanre called on Ekiti indigenes to actively participate in this initiative by supporting tree-planting efforts in their communities and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
Mr Tunde Alokan, Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Environment, urged residents to recognise the collective impact of individual actions and join hands in building a greener and healthier Ekiti State.
All three distinguished personalities planted trees at the median of the new Iyin-Ado road.
