Sterling one foundation, Green Sahara farms together with Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) are to plant ten thousand trees before 2030 and set up green clubs in unity schools across Nigeria.
The CEO sterling one foundation Mrs. Peju Ibekwe at a media dialogue on climate action organised by the foundation and the British High Commission in Lagos, held at the British Deputy High Commissioners Residence announced the collaboration to plant trees and set up green clubs in unity schools.
The pilot programme will cover 24 schools chosen from the six geo political zones were ten thousand trees will be established.
Chief Executive officer of Green Sahara Farms, Alhaji Sulaiman Dikwa and that of Sterling One Foundation Mrs. Peju Ibekwe in a joint statement said “At the Foundation, we have a vision to plant 200 million trees with our partners and we will be starting this year by planting 10,000 economic trees across the 6 geo-political zones in partnership with the Unity Schools and Green Sahara Farms.”
The foundation also announced its target of 200 million trees over the next 10 years as the UN marks the decade of action.
According to the foundation, the project to be carried out by Sterling One Foundation and in partnership with Unity Schools Old Students Association and Green Sahara Farms, would begin with planting 10,000 economic trees this year, while supporting nurseries to birth more trees at the schools will be established.
At the end of a dialogue, held with the theme: “The Transition to a Circular Economy- Partnerships to Solve Pressing Challenges” at the Deputy British High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, designed to promote media support for effective communication for development and raising awareness on critical issues with priority for Climate Action.
Addressing participants at the event, Mrs. Peju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sterling One Foundation said, “There has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged ecosystems than now and we need urgent action to address these pressing issues. We must shift from harming the planet to healing it.
She expressed disappointment over the rampant ignorance being displayed by Nigerians over issues around climate change. “Unfortunately, in Nigeria, we still experience rampant ignorance, apathy, carelessness and lack of follow through when it comes to issues and conversations around climate action and clear understanding by the common man.
The Sterling One Foundation CEO said the media was needed now more than ever to create awareness on conversations around and about climate change.
She noted that climate change is one of the defining issues in society today, adding that Sterling One Foundation has prioritized multi-stakeholder engagements in driving advocacy, furthering conversations towards increased awareness and effective action in driving innovative solutions to combat this menace while promoting collaboration and accountable reportage by the media.
