Enugu Govt, foundation begins planting of 400 economic trees in schools
The Enugu State Government, in partnership with Dosty Art Foundation, on Friday, began planting of 400 economic trees in 20 secondary schools in commemoration of the 2026 World Environment Day celebration.
Speaking during the exercise at Queen’s School, Enugu, a member of the team to the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Peter Mbah on Climate Change, Mrs Oge Nwonye, said that the team would plant 20 seedlings in each of the selected schools.
She explained that the initiative was aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and climate awareness among students.
Nwonye, a social entrepreneur, said the theme of this year’s World Environment Day underscored the need to inspire nature conservation for future generations.
“We are planting economic trees within school premises because we know the immense benefits of trees.
“They provide oxygen, shade and create a conducive learning environment for students.
“We believe that donating these trees to schools will not only serve economic purposes through the fruits they produce but will also create opportunities for environmental education and appreciation of nature,” she said.
Nwonye listed the seedlings distributed to include guava, udara (African star apple), soursop, and other shade-providing trees, as well as flowers to beautify school environments.
She explained that the project, which covered 20 selected schools, was expanded through collaboration involving the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Climate Change, the Office of the Wife of the Governor and UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office.
Nwonye said the initiative also sought to establish environmental clubs in participating schools to complement existing clubs and encourage students to take active roles in environmental protection.
“We want to create environmental clubs where students can learn practical ways of protecting the environment, including converting waste materials into useful products and artworks.
“Through partnerships with organisations like Dosty Art Foundation, students will be taught how to transform plastic bottles and other waste materials into furniture, artworks, earrings and other valuable items that can be used or sold,” she said.
She urged residents to take proactive steps toward protecting the environment, stressing that the current generation had a responsibility to preserve nature for future generations.
Nwonye identified illegal tree felling and logging as major environmental challenges, noting that economic pressures often drive people to cut down trees without considering the long-term consequences.
She emphasised the importance of trees in sustaining life through oxygen production and called for increased public awareness on their environmental value.
Also speaking, the founder of Dosty Art Foundation, Mr Chidi Igbokwe, said the organisation was committed to nurturing creativity among young people while promoting environmental sustainability through waste-to-art initiatives.
Igbokwe said the foundation was partnering with the Enugu State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to educate students on waste management and creative recycling.
“We have been visiting schools and communities to teach children how waste materials can be transformed into productive and creative items rather than being discarded,” he said.
According to him, students are being taught how to convert plastic containers, cartons, ropes, fabric remnants and other waste materials into decorative artworks, flowers, necklaces, pendants, waste bins and other useful products.
“We want children to see waste as a resource for creativity, productivity and positive environmental impact. The response from the students has been very encouraging,” he added.
In her response, the Principal of Queens School, Enugu, Mrs Felicia Onyeazor, said the school had already formed a Climate Change Club for the students to enable them protect the environment.
Onyeazor thanked the state government and the groups for choosing the school for the project.