The Nigerian Federal Government has unveiled a plan to hire over 10,000 young people and retirees to plant six million trees nationwide.
This initiative, announced by Environment Minister Dr. Iziaq Salako, aims to combat climate change effects, create jobs, and provide economic opportunities for the unemployed and retirees. The tree planting will be done in stages, focusing on areas suffering from deforestation and desertification.
The World Health Organisation warns that climate change endangers health by affecting clean air, water, food, and shelter, potentially reversing global health advancements. It predicts that climate change could cause an additional 250,000 deaths annually between 2030 and 2050 due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
The government’s tree planting effort seeks to absorb greenhouse gases, enhance air quality, and counteract land degradation, flooding, and erosion. A variety of tree species will be planted, suitable for Nigeria’s diverse ecological zones, promoting agroforestry and bamboo as a tree alternative.
Minister Salako encourages all Nigerians to participate by planting trees in their communities. The government plans to use technology for virtual training and monitoring of the program’s progress, ensuring the trees are planted and nurtured to maturity.