The Management of NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte. says it has planted 70 economic trees in the premises of Federal Government Girls College, Benin, in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that this year’s celebration has its theme as ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’.

Speaking during the tree planting ceremony on Wednesday, the Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said that the foundation’s mission was to support environmental sustainability through impactful initiative such as reforestation, conservation and education.

Represented by Mrs Goodnews Willie, Deputy Manager, Education and Health care Programmes, Arukwe said that NNPC Ltd. was passionate about executing positive and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the country.

‘The World Environment Day is a global platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and foster action for sustainable development.

‘As a recently transited
private company, NNPC Ltd. is positioned to align with global best practice in the energy industry and is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

NNPC Foundation tree planting campaign at the FGGC, Benin

‘NNPC Foundation was established as the social arm of NNPC Ltd. to be the connect between the stakeholders, who are the more than 200 million Nigerians, and the company, through the execution of impactful CSR initiatives.

‘One of the key focus areas of NNPC Foundation is to undertake impactful initiatives on Environment, and in commemoration of the World Environment Day.

‘We have lined up strategic programmes such as tree planting campaigns in schools and quizzes competitions to sensitise the citizenry to the need for environmental preservation.

‘According to the UN Convention, more than 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded and is directly impacting half of the global population, and threatening economies, ‘ She said.

She, therefore, called for the collective affirmative action to
take responsibility for the survival of immediate environment that would bring about positive spiral effects to the global habitat.

Officials of NNPC Foundation planting tree seedlings at the Federal Government Girls College, Benin

Earlier, Mrs Aghedo Osariemen, Principal of Federal Government Girls College, Benin, commended the management of NNPC Ltd/Gte. Foundation for chosing the school as one of its locations for the trees planting campaign initiative.

The highpoint of the event was a panel session by the students who discussed the important of trees planting in the society.

The students also engaged in drama presentation as well as cultural display depicting the cultural heritage of Edo, Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria