A youth-led environmental initiative organized to transform communities in Edo State and equip young people with the knowledge and tools to mitigate floods and promote reforestation is encouraging Youths to plant trees.
Spearheaded by Davies Ugowe, Chairman of the Sustainable Environment and Greenlife Empowerment Foundation (SEGEF), has already impacted local schools and planted over 193 trees in just two months.
As part of SEGEF’s Nigeria Green Earth Initiative (NGEi), this project focuses on flood prevention and environmental sustainability through the involvement of local youth and a key aspect of the initiative is the “Adopt a Tree” program, which engages school students to plant and nurture trees, contributing to both immediate and long-term environmental resilience.
Ugowe recently addressed students at St. Martins Secondary School, one of the many participating schools in Benin City, emphasizing the critical need for proactive flood mitigation in Edo State.
According to him, “Edo State, like many other parts of Nigeria, is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including flooding and heavy windstorms. Flooding, in particular, is aggravated by heavy rainfall and occasional water releases from the Cameroonian dam, which overflows into our riverine communities.”
He pointed out that 13 of Edo’s 18 local government areas face significant flooding risks, leading to tragic losses of lives and millions in damages. “Tree planting and adoption by communities is one of the ways we as citizens can assist our government in tackling the adverse effects of these challenges in the country by being proactive,” he added.
As part of the project’s goals, NGEi aims to have students adopt and plant over 200 trees by 2024, especially in vulnerable communities.
The students are not only learning about environmental stewardship but are also actively engaging in tree-planting events.
Each student “adopts” a tree, committing to monitor its growth and health, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and environmental awareness.
The project has received overwhelming support from participating schools, community leaders and stakeholders. With this initiative, SEGEF hopes to instill lasting environmental values in Edo youths, empowering them to be advocates for sustainable change.
Powered by LEAP Africa and the Nigerian Youth Future Fund, the “Empowering Green: Transforming Youth and Environment” project is organized in collaboration with local stakeholders.
