Rotary Club, NDA Plant 1,500 Trees To Tackle Climate Change

The Rotary Club of Kaduna and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Saturday planted 1,500 tree seedlings at the Biodiversity Conservation Centre of the academy as part of efforts to combat climate change, conserve biodiversity and promote environmental sustainability.

The tree-planting exercise was organised in partnership with Centenary Forest UK, Zamani College and the Rotaract Club of Kaduna, bringing together military personnel, environmental advocates, students, Rotarians and other stakeholders to strengthen collective action against environmental degradation.

The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Oluyemi  Olatoye, described the initiative as a timely intervention in addressing environmental challenges confronting the country.

Represented by the director of administration, Commodore Mohamed  Abdullahi, the commandant commended the Rotary Club of Kaduna and its partners for donating the 1,500 tree seedlings, saying the initiative aligns with the vision of the academy’s Biodiversity Conservation Centre to promote environmental sustainability, conserve biodiversity and instil a culture of environmental stewardship among officers and cadets.

He said tree planting is a practical response to climate change, desertification, erosion and biodiversity loss, noting that every tree planted contributes to cleaner air, healthier soil and a more resilient environment.

“No single nation can tackle climate change alone. Partnerships like this between the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Rotary Club demonstrate the power of collaboration,” he said.

The commandant urged officers, staff and cadets to take ownership of the trees and ensure they are nurtured to maturity before formally declaring the tree-planting exercise open.

Earlier, past assistant governor Adejoke Adeyinka, representing the president of the Rotary Club of Kaduna, Aaron Francis, said the exercise was not merely about planting trees but about planting hope for future generations.

She said the project reflects Rotary International’s commitment to environmental protection, noting that climate change continues to manifest through flooding, drought, rising temperatures and other environmental challenges.

“Today we are not just planting trees. We are planting hope, hope for cleaner air, hope for a cooler climate and hope for the next generation of Nigerians who will benefit from climate and environmental protection”.

Adeyinka appealed to the Nigerian Defence Academy to sustain the initiative by assigning care teams to water and monitor the seedlings, urging the institution to make environmental stewardship part of its culture.

Also speaking, the representative of Centenary Forest UK in Nigeria, Andrew Kassa, described trees as one of nature’s most effective tools for mitigating climate change.

He explained that trees absorb carbon dioxide through carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving biodiversity and environmental resilience.

He expressed optimism that the partnership with the Nigerian Defence Academy would be sustained and urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of planting at least one tree every year.