The Rotary Club of Apo, Abuja, has embarked on tree planting exercise within the capital city on Saturday in an effort to preserve the environment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the club defied the early morning rainfall and came out for the tree planting exercise, which commenced at the Rotary Centre, Abuja.
President of the Club, Mr Ben Ngueke, told NAN that the exercise was one of the major ways through which Rotary club contribute to societal wellbeing.
He said that the club would nurture the trees and ensure that they grew well.
Ngueke called on Nigerians to emulate Rotary by planting trees.
“Rotary is about service to humanity and this exercise is one of the several ways through which we render service to the society.
“The environment is very important to the survival and development of mankind, and the trees we plant go a long way to preserving our environment. We will ensure we nurture these ones.
“I urge all residents of Abuja, and Nigerians generally to emulate Rotary and imbibe the idea of planting tree regularly,” he said.
According to Mathew Ossai, Project Chairman of the club, trees bring immense benefits to mankind.
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He urged residents of Abuja to endeavour to plant one tree per day to help in preserving the environment.
“Trees can give us shade; we also get oxygen from trees while we give them our carbon dioxide. It is a situation of “give and take.”
“We urge our people to stop cutting down trees. Even if they have the need to cut a tree they should plant another in replacement,” he advised.
Mr Ohaba Isaiah, President-Elect of Rotary Club, Apo, said that the trees planted would also add economic value to Nigeria.
He emphasised that preserving the environment was a major focus of Rotary International.
Isaiah added that the club would always embark on projects that would benefit the society. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)