Amuwo-Odofin greens its streets
2012/09/28

The local government of Amuwo-Odofin, in Lagos State, Nigeria, has planted over 5000 trees as part of its city beautification and emission control project. Other than mitigating against emissions and gracing the city streets, the trees have a valuable role in supporting the livelihoods of the boat-making and fishing communities of the local government, which recently became the newest member of ICLEI Africa.

Amuwo-Odofin Council's Head of Climate Change, Mr Kamorudeen Ogunbadejo, explained in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria that more than 5000 trees have recently been planted by the local government. The trees had been sourced from the Green Nigeria project and the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, with the most recent planting coming from a batch of 1500 teak trees that were secured two months ago.

Amuwo-Odofin recently became ICLEI's newest African member, and Mr Ogunbadejo disclosed that the tree planting had both environmental and commercial purposes. The riverine communities of Amuwo-Odofin rely on the trees for their livelihoods, while mitigation against emissions is an additional reason behind the mass planting.

The local government even has a tree club which maintains the trees, ensuring that the new trees are nurtured to maturity, to serve the communities and their environment in the years ahead.