As part of sustainable measures to protect the environment, members of the Nigerian lnstitute of Public Relations, NIPR, have embarked on planting of sixty trees on the Port Harcourt Road, Onitsha.
The exercise, which was in commemoration of its sixtieth anniversary; with the theme “Walk and tree planting for economic, transformation”, attracted top government officials, environmental activists, educationist, members of NIPR within and outside the state, among other stakeholders.
In her remark, the Anambra State Chapter Chairman of the NIPR, Professor Angela Nwammuo, stressed the importance of tree planting in mitigating climate change, erosion control and safeguarding the ecosystem.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Environment, Engineer Felix Odimegwu, emphasized that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration has mandated that Anambra must be clean and the greenest state in Nigerian, and advised every landowner in Onitsha to plant at least two trees within their portions of land.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, and his Special Duties counterpart, Barrister Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, applauded the NIPR Anambra State Chapter for choosing tree planting in celebrating their diamond jubilee anniversary, and advised other associations to emulate them.
Baring their minds, the Managing Director of Anambra State Waste Management Authority, ASWAMA, Sir Michael Ozoemena, and the Chairman of Anambra Urban Regeneration Council, Architect Mike Okonkwo, stressed the need for people to join hands with the government in maintaining a healthy environment, and encouraged citizens to embrace tree planting exercise.
Contributing, the Transition Committee Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government, Mr. Emeka Orji, his Onitsha North counterpart, Mr. Tony Nworah, and member representing Onitsha South One Constituency, Honourable Fred Ezenwa, also commended the NIPR choosing tree planting, and stressed its usefulness in addressing environmental challenges and beautifying the environment.
The immediate past Councilor member of the NIPR, Reverend Father Professor Boniface Obiefuna, the Acting Registrar, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Mr. Obino Onuchukwu, Chairman of Landlords Association, Fegge Onitsha, Chief Okwudili Obinwanne, said adopting environmental friendly attitude would protect the people from adverse effects of climate change resulting from depletion of the ozone layer, and cautioned against bush burning, deforestation and other acts that could threaten the temperature of the environment.
Highlight of the event was the symbolic planting of the first of trees by the Environment Commissioner; which set the stage for extensive tree planting on the Port Harcourt Road, Fegge Onitsha, by other government officials.
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