Plant a tree, save environment for humanity – Aregbesola

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has advised Nigerians to plant a tree to mitigate against deforestation and curb the effects of climate change on the environment.

The minister gave the call during the tree planting campaign in Akoko Anglican Grammar School (AKOGRAMS), Arigidi Ondo State, as part of activities to mark the diamond jubilee of the school.

The minister highlighted the benefits of tree planting and restoration of forests to mitigate the challenges of climate change. He said this is in line with the present administration’s Green Recovery Nigeria Programme, 2020.

Aregbesola advised against felling of trees, urging the management and pupils of the school and the host community to consider the forest around the school an endowment and strive to maintain and maximise it for the benefit of humanity, adding it cannot be overemphasised.

Speaking further, Aregbesola acknowledged the great and successful products of the school in different fields of human endeavour, attributing it to the sound educational foundation they benefitted from the school.

“Education is the only legacy that we can leave for our children. We all owe our foundational institution the responsibility of care, support and identification because of the role they played in our success. Nothing can be too big or small to support our alma mater, no matter who we are or what we have become.”

The Governor of Ondo State, Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, also at the occasion, enumerated his administration’s achievements in developing infrastructure across the state, especially in primary education.

He commended the minister and the Old Students Association for its contributions to the school and called for such support to primary school institutions, the building block upon which other levels of education rest.

Other dignitaries were the wife of the Minister of Interior, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Adesola Olusade, His Royal Majesty, The Zaki of Arigidi, Akoko, Alhaji Yisa Olanipekun, members of the Ondo State Executives and Security Council, Bishop of the Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. J.O. Bada, among others.