“Trees help us live healthy life.” Achetu Ibrahim
Jerry Adesewo
In groundbreaking advocacy for healthier living, Achetu Ibrahim, an assistant director of environmental conservation at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), has asserted that trees help humans live a healthy life.
“Trees act as natural air filters, providing us with
clean and fresh air essential for a healthy life,” she affirms, emphasising the critical role of trees in combating air pollution, a pressing concern in modern urban settings.
She was speaking at the ‘100Kidsfor100Trees’ project organised by Giving Tuesday Spark Nigeria and the Embassy of Brazil in Nigeria to commemorate the annual Giving Tuesday event, which was held on Tuesday, November 28, at the Embassy of Brazil in Abuja.
emphasising the need to instill environmental responsibility in the younger generation. Mrs. Achetu lamented how trees are chopped down illegally on a daily basis by residents of Abuja on what she termed flimsy excuses.
“I urge you all to become ambassadors of environmental conservation, creating awareness and educating your peers and parents about the dangers of illegally felling trees. Ibrahim emphasised the vital role of trees in creating a better living environment, linking the disappearance of trees in Abuja to the harsh temperature conditions currently experienced. Trees help us live a better life,” she affirmed, urging respect and care for these living entities.
Providing further insight on the project, the Nigeria Country Lead of Giving Tuesday Spark, Hussain Zaguru, emphasised that the project is aimed at imparting practical knowledge and skills related to tree planting and care among children.
“This initiative was inspired and facilitated by the former Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Brazil, Ronaldo Vieira, and it aligns, not just with Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), but with the objectives of the global Giving Tuesday, which is anchored on kindness and care-giving, Zaguru stated, adding that “This project goes beyond planting trees; it’s about nurturing a deeper understanding of ecological systems.
The initiative also seeks to foster community engagement in sustainable practices, reinforcing the global movement towards environmental consciousness.
105 students participated in the ‘100 Kids for 100 Trees’ project, with 85 students physically present and an additional 20 engaging virtually. The participants were drawn from five schools and two children’s centres in Abuja, namely Government Day Secondary School, Olumawu School, Starfield Starters Academy, Apearl Premier Private School, Centre for Teaching and Learning, and Britarch School.
Eyidesire Jerry-Adesewo, an eight-year-old student of Unique Rhema International, Kubwa, also participated virtually with an advocacy poem, ‘The Earth’, which challenged every individual to plant a tree when she said, “Plants renew the power of the earth/plant a tree to give the earth power.”
Rotarian Rebecca Ebokpo, President of the Rotary Club of Abuja, who also graced the event as one of the project’s partners, underlined the club’s commitment to environmental and climate causes. She expressed gratitude to Mr. Vieira for hosting the event at the Embassy of Brazil in Abuja.
Courtesy of the Brazilian Embassy, the Deputy Ambassador, Mr. Joao Marcelo, presented a gift to all participating schools: plant seedlings, which they are encouraged to plant in their schools and homes, respectively.
Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement, encourages individuals and organisations to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. What began as a simple idea in 2012 has evolved into a global phenomenon, inspiring millions to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
