Fausat Bello
The Igbajo community in Osun State has launched an ambitious 2 million tree planting scheme which was part of the activities of the concluded 33rd Igbajo Day Celebration held from April 10 to April 16.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the President of the Igbajo Development Association, Mr. Sola Fanawopo.
Mr. Fanawopo, “It is part of the process to kick start the Igbajo Plank Industry 2.0 that involves the building of a world-class wood sawmill to domesticate the plank business from tree planting to wood processing.
“The story of how our forefathers built century-old plank business in Ibadan is a thing of joy. Our tree planting campaign will kick start the Igbajo Plank Industry 2.0. It is also in fulfilment of the federal government’s pledge to plant 25 million trees in Nigeria to enhance carbon sink as part of the country’s efforts to implement the Paris climate change agreement.
“The community has identified the expanse of land at Kiriji Memorial College and both sides of Igbajo main river from Egulu to Agbearaka and beyond as the main hubs of the tree planting strategy.”
He therefore invited all Igbajo sons and daughters, businesses and individuals alike to plant a tree today, “as we commence the process of building Igbajo Plank Industry 2.0.”
The Asiwaju of Igbajoland, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), while planting a tree at the Owa’s palace in Igbajo asked hunters and farmers to stop the menace of bush burning so that the scheme would be successful.
The Chairman of the Tree Planting and Plank Industry 2.0 scheme, Mr. Soladoye Gbenjo said that ornamental trees “are to be planted on both sides of the Igbajo Circular road and the roads leading to Igbajo from Ada, Edemosi and Imesi-Ile.”
“This is to make Igbajo a green town and tourist centre,” he added.
Mr. Gbenjo also lauded the State of Osun Ministry of Environment for the donation of 2,000 seedlings to kick start the scheme.
Igbajo, a town in Boluwaduro Local Government Area in Osun State was founded in the 12th century.
It neighbours the cities of Iresi, Ìlá Òràngún, Okemesi, Ada, Ire, Otan-Aiyegbaju, Otan-Ile, Imesi-Ile, Edemosi and Oyan. It is located 199mi or (321km) southwest of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
