The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has unveiled an ambitious environmental initiative aimed at planting 10,000 economic trees across communities in the district as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability, combat climate change and improve the livelihoods of residents.
The project, themed “Growing Kogi Central, Building Our Future,” is designed to address some of the pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges confronting communities in the district, including land degradation, soil erosion, declining biodiversity and food insecurity.
According to a statement issued by the senator on Monday, the initiative will involve the planting of a variety of economic tree species such as mango, guava, orange, moringa, neem and other indigenous trees known for their environmental, nutritional, medicinal and commercial value.
The statement explained that the project goes beyond beautifying the environment, noting that it is intended to create long-term economic opportunities while strengthening efforts to protect natural ecosystems for future generations.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the initiative as a strategic intervention that aligns local community development with global efforts to tackle climate change.
She said the tree-planting campaign represents far more than an environmental exercise, stressing that it is an investment in the future prosperity and resilience of Kogi Central.
According to her, the project seeks to encourage communities to actively participate in environmental conservation while also providing households with trees capable of generating income through the sale of fruits, seeds, leaves and other valuable products.
The senator noted that economic trees serve multiple purposes by improving environmental health, supporting household nutrition and creating sustainable sources of livelihood.
She explained that fruit-bearing trees such as mango, orange and guava would help improve food availability and nutrition, while species like moringa and neem are widely recognised for their medicinal properties and economic value.
Akpoti-Uduaghan added that increasing tree cover across the district would contribute significantly to reducing the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, improving air quality and restoring degraded landscapes.
She further observed that the roots of trees help stabilize the soil, thereby reducing erosion and protecting farmlands from degradation, particularly during heavy rainfall.
The senator called on traditional rulers, youth groups, women associations, schools, community leaders and civil society organisations to embrace the initiative by ensuring that the planted trees are properly nurtured and protected.
According to her, the success of the programme will depend not only on planting thousands of seedlings but also on sustaining them until they mature and begin delivering environmental and economic benefits.
She urged residents to see the project as a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of every member of the community.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also emphasized the importance of environmental education, saying there is a need to cultivate a culture of conservation among young people so they can appreciate the long-term value of protecting forests and preserving biodiversity.
She noted that climate change continues to pose serious threats to agriculture, water resources and public health, making proactive environmental initiatives increasingly necessary.
The lawmaker explained that planting economic trees offers a practical solution capable of addressing multiple development challenges simultaneously by enhancing ecological stability while creating opportunities for wealth generation.
According to the statement, the initiative is expected to contribute to restoring degraded land, improving biodiversity, enhancing food security and supporting sustainable economic growth across Kogi Central.
Environmental experts have repeatedly highlighted tree planting as one of the most effective nature-based solutions for mitigating climate change, particularly when combined with proper land management and community participation.
Beyond capturing carbon emissions, healthy tree populations help regulate local temperatures, conserve water resources, provide habitats for wildlife and strengthen ecosystems against the impacts of extreme weather conditions.
The statement further noted that the choice of indigenous and economic tree species reflects a deliberate effort to ensure that the benefits of the project extend beyond environmental conservation to include improved nutrition, healthcare support and income generation for families.
Residents are expected to participate in various phases of the project, including seedling distribution, planting exercises and maintenance activities aimed at ensuring the long-term survival of the trees.
The initiative is also expected to encourage stronger collaboration between communities, environmental stakeholders and government institutions in promoting sustainable development across the district.
With the launch of the 10,000 economic trees campaign, Akpoti-Uduaghan said Kogi Central is taking a significant step toward building a greener environment, improving the resilience of local communities and creating a lasting legacy for future generations.
She reiterated that safeguarding the environment is a shared responsibility, expressing optimism that the project would inspire similar conservation efforts in other parts of Nigeria as the country continues to confront the growing challenges posed by climate change.
