NIPR 60th Anniversary: Minister Donates 1,000 Seedlings for Tree Planting in Ogun
The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, has donated 1,000 tree seedlings to support the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Ogun State Chapter’s tree-planting campaign as to part of 60th-anniversary celebration of the institution.
The minister also emphasised the importance of collective commitment to fostering a sustainable environment in Nigeria.
Salako said the Federal Government requires strong stakeholders’ support to combat the challenges of climate change.
The minister made the call on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, where the State Chapter unveiled its Diamond Anniversary Green Park.
This was preceded by a colourful street walk in the Abeokuta metropolis with the theme, “Walking for Economic Transformation.”
Represented by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Professor Zacharia Yaduma, the minister stressed the need for concerted efforts to reduce the carbon footprint in the country and improve the health of its ecosystem.
According to him, it is possible to create a new Nigeria that not only thrives today but also flourishes for the coming generations.
Salako said, “As we reflect on our journey as a nation, we are reminded of the vital importance of sustainable development. Greener Nigeria is not just a slogan; it is a call to action. It urges us to embrace practices that promote environmental stewardship, to innovate in ways that reduce our carbon footprint, and to invest in the health of our ecosystems.
“Today, as we celebrate this Diamond Anniversary, let us renew our pledge to protect and enhance our natural heritage. Let us work together to ensure that our forests remain lush, our rivers flow clean, our gutters waste and our air stays pure.”
“Let us support initiatives that drive green energy, sustainable agriculture and conservation efforts across our beloved nation,” he added.
The minister, who noted that the theme for the NIPR Diamond Anniversary “Green Nigeria” was apt, commended members of the professional body for promoting an environmentally conscious nation by incorporating the idea of tree planting in their 60th-anniversary celebration.
“In these 60 years of establishing growth for the profession and enhancing public image in Nigeria, your organisation has witnessed remarkable progress and must have also faced formidable challenges, but through it all, your dedication to nurturing our land and preserving its beauty for future generations has never wavered,” he remarked.
While assuring that the Federal Government would welcome collaborations aimed at sustainability and environmental stewardship, Salako announced the donation of 1,000 seedlings to support the tree-planting campaign of Ogun NIPR.
Also speaking on the occasion, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, lauded the NIPR for contributing to the wellness and well-being of the Nigerian society with its tree planting campaign.
