By Faridat Salifu
The Printrite Foundation for Sustainable Environment and Education (PFSEE) has unveiled a program to plant 10 million trees in Nigeria before the end of 2030 to combat climate change and improve environmental sustainability.
The move is specifically designed to conserve Nigeria’s ecosystems and boost the nation’s carbon absorption capacity.
During the foundation’s recent event in Abuja to launch its Plastic Alternative Container (PAC) campaign, PFSEE’s Executive Director, Austin Igwe, highlighted the pressing need for such environmental measures.
“Tree planting is now essential,” he remarked, citing the escalating impact of climate change in Nigeria.
A central part of PFSEE’s tree-planting initiative involves broad public engagement.
The foundation plans to enlist the help of schoolchildren, youth groups, volunteers, women farmers, and communities to meet its goals.
Igwe emphasized that PFSEE’s objectives align with global climate agreements to mitigate climate change through reforestation efforts.
PFSEE is also collaborating with the Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAC) on the PAC campaign, which encourages retailers, supermarkets, and pharmacies to phase out single-use plastic packaging.
The campaign seeks to promote the use of sustainable, plastic-free alternatives, especially in high-traffic venues where single-use plastics are most prevalent.
Speaking at the event, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Christophe Baziyamo, underscored the need for action on plastic waste, a major environmental pollutant.
He noted that discarded single-use plastics litter landscapes, roadways, and public spaces, highlighting the adverse impact of plastic waste on natural ecosystems.
Through these dual initiatives, PFSEE and its partners hope to inspire a cultural shift toward sustainable environmental practices in Nigeria, with the ultimate aim of creating greener, cleaner landscapes for future generations.