By Racheal Ishaya
The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele on Tuesday called on Nigerians to plant more trees in their environment to enable the country effectively address the problems of deforestation.
The governor said this in Abuja shortly after planting a tree at the headquarters of the apex bank as part of activities to commemorate the World Environment Day.
The World Environment Day was initiated by the United Nations to create awareness as well as the need to take action to protect the environment.
Nigeria has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, losing about 4,000 hectares annually, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The CBN governor said the bank would continue to support any initiative that would assist in protecting the environment.
“Everybody must contribute to protecting the environment through tree planting. I must say that the CBN takes this event very seriously, because on an annual basis, I join in this process.
“I want to say that we will continue to join the world in doing this both as an organisation and in our private endeavours.
“I will like to encourage all of us to continue to get involved in planting trees which is the process of afforestation to enrich our environment.’’
Emefiele said apart from helping to address the issue of deforestation, the planting of trees would enrich the environment with oxygen for the optimal survival of man.
“So that is why we have to continue this process. As trees gets old, you may have to do deforestation but I think what we should do more and more is afforestation more than deforestation.
“Because by doing so, we preserve our environment in their natural habitat and with that, life can continue to blossom,” he said.
