Efio-Ita Nyok|25 November 2016
A young innovative, Ogoja-born, Cross Riverian, Godshield Kanjal, serving as a Corp Member in Ebonyi state has just flagged off the planting of 6,000 economic trees to tackle climate change and poverty. This is an incredible project! He needs the support of every Nigerian especially Ebonyi citizens and firms operating in the state to actualize this lofty dream. Excerpt of full report:
…corps member tackles climate change, poverty in Ebonyi communities, flags off over 6,000 economic tree planting exercise
—By Ruth Chidi
A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), serving in Ebonyi State, Godshield Kanjal, has flagged-off over 6,000 economic tree planting exercise
He said the Excercise is aimed at tackling climate change and poverty in the state.
Speaking at the flag off of the exercise at Achara Community School, Ugwu-Achara, Ebonyi state, the NYSC member explained that although in recent times, the debate on tackling climate change and poverty in most countries of the world had topped the agenda of different fora, it was high time resolutions of such debates were implemented in the grassroots.
He noted that following the huge impact global warming poses on the environment, such as intense rainfall, flood, severe and frequent heat waves among others, the idea to tackle it head on for the period of his one-year compulsory service to fatherland became necessary
He added that the project was part of his personal Community Development Service (CDS), a cardinal programme of the scheme, hence achieving the seventh Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of environmental sustainability.
According to him: "improved specie of economic trees such as orange, bush mango, guava, oil palm, avocado pear, cashew among others in private homes, public property and on road sides could help reduce poverty in Africa
"But it surprises me to see many fertile plots of land left uncultivated. There is huge wealth in planting economic trees and many people do not know this. I urge every teacher and pupil here to go home and plant at least one economic at home
He added that part of strategy employed to convey the message to the people of the state is through local radio and TV jingles, urging the people to listen regularly to Unity FM 101.5 and salt FM, Abakaliki
He said radio programme would be aired on those stations both in English and Igbo language
The corps member further advised the local farmers at Ugwu-achara community saying: stop bush burning and deforestation, clear your farmland early and pack the grasses to a corner of the farm or allow them to rotten, burning the grasses kills the soil nutrients," he said
He however advised landed property owners not allow their vast and empty lands lay fallow for many years, but instead, insisted that economic trees should be planted to help reduce the emission of carbon-dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere
Also speaking, the Head Mistress of the pilot school, Mrs Orji Agnes Ezine lauded the project saying "this is the best project I have ever seen from an NYSC member. Indeed, it is a multi purpose project which aimed at curbing climate change and poverty
We the entire staff of Achara Community School are proud of you. All my teaches have indicated interest in your project. They have confided in me that they want to pant economic trees in their respective homes and with this determination your six thousand economic trees target would be achieved," she said.
Mrs Orji however advised government to make available improved species of economic trees at affordable rate to the people of the state.
She nevertheless advised other in-coming corps member to emulate this corps member.
Reacting, the state Commissioner of Environment, Hon Moses Ogodoali lauded the corps member's initiative, promising to support the project
Earlier, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Gladys Mbachi extolled the corps member for his passion to touch lives in his host community in spite of the economic downturn facing the country
Mbachi who was represented by the Abkaliki Local Government Inspector of NYSC, Barr Ngwoke Nwokoro applauded the corps member for living the dream of the scheme
"On behalf of the State Coordinator NYSC Ebonyi State, l wish to appreciate and congratulate you on the successful flag off of the tree planting campaign in selected schools.
You are indeed a very special corps member who in spite of the economic situation in the country has decided to touch lives through planting of economic trees in schools.
We salute you for living the dream of the scheme through community development service which is one the cardinal programs of NYSC.
We enjoin you to continue in your good works in your service to humanity. Let me use this opportunity to encourage other corps members and indeed every Nigerian to think creatively in order help our country achieve greatness. Thanks and God bless," she said.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven.org
