By Abbas Nazil
Sahara Group has intensified its environmental sustainability efforts in Edo State with a new partnership between its Adopt-A-Forest Initiative and the Gelegele Forest, aimed at restoring degraded forest landscapes and expanding nature-based climate solutions.
The collaboration began with the planting of 20,000 tree seedlings across the reserve, marking a significant step in Sahara’s long-term strategy to regenerate damaged ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support climate resilience within local communities.
The launch of the project involved active engagement with the Edo State Forestry Commission and the Gelegele Forest Reserve Board, demonstrating Sahara Group’s commitment to working with government agencies and local stakeholders to achieve its reforestation objectives.
Introduced in 2023, the Adopt-A-Forest Initiative has become one of Sahara Group’s leading climate action programmes, designed to rehabilitate landscapes, promote conservation, and safeguard Africa’s natural carbon sinks.
By 2024, the initiative had expanded into several countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, and Dubai, with further growth planned in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya in 2025, underscoring Sahara’s growing regional impact.
Ejiro Gray, Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, said the initiative goes beyond planting trees, highlighting its larger goal of preserving natural forests that serve as essential carbon storage systems and “Africa’s lungs” for sustaining the planet.
Gray explained that the protection of natural forests is central to Sahara’s sustainability vision, noting that these ecosystems are crucial in managing emissions and maintaining environmental balance across the continent.
Also speaking at the event, Head of Business Support at Asharami Energy, Babatomiwa Adesida, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainability, emphasizing that every tree planted represents progress toward reversing decades of environmental degradation.
Adesida said the initiative reflects Sahara’s responsibility to restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity, adding that the intervention helps rebuild hope for communities affected by forest loss and environmental decline.
Chairman of the Edo State Forestry Commission, Hon. Asuen Valentine, commended Sahara Group for the timely intervention, stressing that the reforestation effort will play a major role in restoring forest cover and preserving it for future generations.
Valentine praised the organisation for championing the Adopt-A-Forest Initiative, saying the effort demonstrates forward-thinking leadership in forest restoration and environmental protection.
Gray later reaffirmed Sahara Group’s commitment to climate leadership across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, stressing that forest preservation remains a necessary and non-negotiable priority.
The Adopt-A-Forest Initiative continues to serve as a key pillar of Sahara Group’s environmental strategy, integrating nature-based solutions, efficient resource use, and collaborative partnerships to ensure forests across Africa remain protected, functional, and capable of supporting life.
