BATN Foundation, NCF partner to revitalize Ajingi Forest Reserve

Driven by the need to combat deforestation and promote environmental conservation, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), in collaboration with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), has partnered with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) to develop innovations to revitalize the Ajingi Forest Reserve. We have started afforestation and natural resource management initiatives. It is located in Kano State in northwestern Nigeria.

At the heart of this initiative is a significant milestone of flagging 5,000 trees in the Ajingi Forest Reserve in Kano, with an overall goal of increasing this number to 50,000 trees by 2027. As part of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, broader community-based initiatives support tree planting, biodiversity conservation, environmental protection and the prevention of deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

The purpose of planting these trees is not just to replenish forests, but also to sequester carbon dioxide, which contributes significantly to global climate change.

The benefits of this initiative extend beyond carbon capture, as restored forests enhance biodiversity and promote ecological balance. The theme “Creating a greener world for a sustainable future” emphasizes the goal of a cleaner, greener world. Our efforts go beyond just planting trees. We focus on planting trees with a purpose. Each tree grows a symbol of our commitment to a sustainable climate.

BATN Foundation Director Odili Erewa Meggison expressed the importance of this project, stressing that it is more than just planting 5,000 trees. She emphasized the continued dedication, education, and community involvement necessary for the journey towards environmental restoration and sustainability.

Over the past few decades, BATNF has achieved the remarkable feat of planting a total of 503,000 trees in different geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Today, we gather to celebrate the completion of the 5,000 trees already planted in Ajingi, Kano State, with the goal of planting 50,000 trees by 2027, and move towards a greener and more sustainable future. We continue to work on this.

She also said, “We are in a world facing serious challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, and deforestation that threaten the very ecosystems that support us. We recognize this is a serious threat and must take local action to reduce its negative impacts.By breathing new life into our forests, we can only restore their beauty. each tree we plant is more than just a number; it supports rural areas towards a sustainable future. and our commitment to empowering the farming community,” NAME said.

NCF Executive Director Joseph Onoja commended the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation partnership, saying it could not have come at a better time as the world faces the negative impacts of climate change.

Here are his words: “Nursing a greener world towards a sustainable future is our collective responsibility and we are committed to doing so whenever the opportunity arises. We aim to plant the right trees in the right places.”

This partnership between the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) and NCF unites efforts for the betterment of the planet and the communities it supports, making it an important part of addressing the global environmental challenges we face. It symbolizes a step forward.

Source: guardian.ng