As part of its efforts at enhancing the ecological equilibrium of Akodo Ise, a non-governmental organisation She Leads Climate Action, has initiated a tree-planting campaign in the community.
Salaudeen-Ibrahim, founder of Bays Planet Foundation and Team Lead of She Leads Climate Action, said the organisation, is dedicated to educating and empowering young women through its fellowship program, the She Leads Climate Action Fellowship.
She said with funding from the Foundation and its collaborators, the initiative endeavors to cultivate a new cadre of leaders committed to propelling climate action within their communities.
According to her “The Akodo Ise Tree Restoration Project emerged as a standout proposition tendered by fellows Yinusa Atinuke Simbiat and Oluwatoke Faeji, both undergraduates at Lagos State University and the University of Lagos, respectively.
“We planted 15 economy trees within the coastal community, to help the community suffering from unabated deforestation, notably evidenced by the decimation of palm trees, which has rendered the land susceptible to erosion and ecological despoliation, precipitating grave perils for the community, encompassing property loss and biodiversity diminution.
“As constituents of the fellowship program’s inaugural cohort comprising eight young women, the project garnered backing from RESWAYE, where Atinuke and Oluwatoke showed indispensable competencies in coastal community initiatives and project management,” said.
Balqees revealed the program expansion plans, with plans to welcome its second cohort later in 2024.
Akodo Ise community located in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria, is a fishing hamlet, renowned for its profound affinity with the sea and traditional fishing methodologies, which not only sustain the livelihoods of the people but also serve as the bedrock of their cultural ethos.
Cognizant of trees’ pivotal role in nurturing life on our planet, the project implanted a total of 15 palm trees in the precincts of the community’s primary school while propagating awareness among locals regarding afforestation’s significance.
The custodianship of nurturing the newly implanted trees has been bestowed upon the children and community members, envisaging long-term contributions to erosion mitigation, biodiversity enrichment, natural cooling, and fortification against sandstorms.
The chosen palm tree species encompass 5 Queens Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), 5 Coconut Trees (Cocos nucifera), and 5 Oil Palms (Elaeis guineensis), as delineated by Atinuke and Oluwatoke.
The project’s implementation witnessed active involvement from Doyinsola Ogunye, founder of RESWAYE, and her team, who proffered expertise and bolster for tree planting endeavors and community engagement.
The occasion saw participation from the community’s leadership, and over 55 children, ardently engaged in the tree-planting endeavor.
