World Environment Day 2020: Group flags off campaign to plant 1000+trees in Enugu metropolis

By Ikenna Ugwu, Enugu

To mark this year’s World Environment Day, a group of young people called Green Environment Network, Enugu, kicked off a tree planting campaign along Zicks Avenue in Enugu metropolis.

The event was flagged off by Enugu State Commisioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Chijioke Edeoga, on Friday.

The commissioner, who was represented by Head of Department, Ecology, Enugu State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, Nwaobodo Ifeanyi, commended the Green Environment Network for their selfless service to the state and country at large.

He expressed his joy seeing young people taking such action, which he pointed out, is for the interest of the state.

“This is not an everyday experience and must be commended,” he remarked.

The Commissioner assured the group of the state government’s support in their activities, commending them for such grand initiative.

Speaking at the occasion, the coordinator of the group, Daniel Onyekachi Ugwu, said the campaign is part of the Network’s initiative and commitment to preserve the earth by taking environmental actions especially in the state.

Daniel said he is impressed by the hunger and passion of young people in the Network to bring innovative changes to the state environment status while promoting healthy living.

He said: “the issue as critical as environment and climate change does not end at raising voices; talk is cheap. Young people must support government to match words with action and become the solution to our changing world.

“Young people most times are misconstrued as ‘problems to be solved’. But all these are changing, with inspiring evidences all over the world. At Green Environment Network, Enugu, we are taking action to protect and preserve the environment.”

The event also had in attendance, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Environment, Chief Osita Ikeogu, a representative of Albertina Nigeria among other dignitaries who also took their turns to plant a tree each.

The World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 every year, engaging citizens’ effort towards pressing environment issues.

This year’s theme for the annual event is “Celebrating biodiversity”.