In order to encourage a long-lasting interaction between people and nature, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) has finalised plans for the Year 2022 Tree Planting Day celebration with the theme: “In Harmony with Nature.”
During the announcement of the plans on Thursday at her office in Ikeja, LASPARK’s general manager, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola, declared that July 14th had been institutionalised and was now recognised every year as the Lagos State Tree Planting Day.
Her words: “We will continue to emphasise to the public that trees are a vital part of our natural environment and an immense contributor to human life. In addition to providing shade, trees produce oxygen and purify of the air we breathe by removing harmful particles from the atmosphere. We must, therefore, learn to co-exist in harmony with nature”.
Popoola went on to say that the 57 Local Governments (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the State will simultaneously plant trees to commemorate the occasion.
She claims that the exercise will be launched by the Commissioner for the Environment & Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, at the recently renovated Dr. Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih Recreational Park in Oregun. She also claims that tree seedlings will be provided at no cost to local authorities, interested parties, private organisations, and NGOs to encourage them to plant in their homes, offices, and communities.
“We are well aware of the importance of environmental education to children and young adults. They must understand how their decisions and daily activities affect the environment. We must also help them build the knowledge and skills necessary to address complex environmental issues, as well as identify simple, day-to-day actions to improve the environment for a sustainable future”, she explained.
“We are, therefore, pleased to announce this year’s Art Competition for children aged 3 to 16, where we expect them to use any art form to interpret their understanding of this year’s tree planting day theme”, Popoola added.
She stated that in addition to receiving other exciting prizes like iPads, smartwatches, and school bags, the winner of the winning artwork would also have their work displayed at the Dr. Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih Recreational Park in Oregun.
Mrs. Popoola advised teachers, parents, and guardians to encourage their students to enter the tournament so they can show off their talent and originality.
The General Manager urged residents to see tree planting as a civic responsibility to nurture and manage the environment, calling on everyone to participate in the upcoming Lagos State Tree Planting Day. He reiterated LASPARK’S commitment to landscape, plant, and nurture trees to combat the negative effects of climate change and promote recreation and leisure through the establishment of parks and gardens in the State.