To further enhance the determination of the government to encourage tree planting, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) has taken the initiative of celebrating retirees from the State Public Service with the planting of trees.

The event, which was part of the retirement programme of the departing officers in the State Teaching Service at the Education District I, Ikeja, was aimed at entrenching the act of tree planting as a symbolic activity towards the advancement of humanity.

Speaking during the tree planting session, the General Manager of LASPARK, Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, declared that commemorating notable events in our lives with the planting of trees is a rewarding adventure, stating that the act is a means of giving back to nature what we have taken from it.

She pointed out that in recent years, the Agency has institutionalised the practice of tree planting through the monthly commemoration of the birthdays of Principal Officers in the State Public Service and celebrating other notable dates with tree planting.

Adebiyi-Abiola, represented by the Head, Tree Planting Unit, Funmilayo Daudu, explained that the initiative was to encourage senior citizens who had in the past contributed immensely to the State Civil/Public Service to lead the crusade of habitual tree planting among citizens as a way of promoting government policy and programmes towards achieving the 10 million target of tree planting by 2020.

“The idea behind the initiative is to encourage and expose as many people as possible towards the planting of trees to commemorate major events. This will promote a healthy environment and reduce extravagant spending on frivolities, in such a way that people can look back and appreciate the environment they had created when the trees eventually grow and people are taking abode under it”, she explained.

The General Manager expressed her gratitude to the Permanent Secretary and the Retirees for being identified with the civilised idea of dignifying their retirement with the planting of trees, urging them to extend the gospel of tree planting to every forum they belong.

Earlier in her remarks, the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of Education District I, Dr. Ayodele Olufolayimika described the occasion as a virtuous means of recreating and nurturing the environment that has been depleted through our constant shrinking of natural resources for physical development.

“Today, the significance of tree planting has gone beyond relishing the abundance of nature; it is an imperative endeavour that both young and old must participate to keep our planet safe and secure”, she submitted.

Dr. Ayodele explained that apart from the capacity to reduce urban temperatures and absorb pollution, trees act as an environmental buffer for the ecosystem as they help improve the extremes of climate and create a surrounding where humans and animals can live comfortably.

She praised the Agency for sustaining the tree planting policy of the government, saying it would further enliven the Smart City Agenda of the State.