BEING A SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE RT. REV. DR. DUKE T. AKAMISOKO AT THE KICK-OFF CAMPAIGN OF THE TWO MILLION TREE PLANTING TO COMMEMORATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIOCESE OF KUBWA HELD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2024 AT ST. PETER’S CHURCH, KARU, Abuja, Nigeria
Courtesies
Supervising Priests,
Other Clergy,
Members of the Diocesan Board,
Members of Laity,
Invited Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press.
It gives me a great pleasure to welcome you to this historic occasion in our Diocese and in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to kick-off the campaign of two million trees planting across the FCT.
This gesture is part of the various activities to mark the 20th Anniversary of our Diocese which has already commenced. The activities will reach its peak on March 12, 2025 with the dedication of 250 Hospital beds, which is the day the Diocese was created.
Part of our vision, even as we celebrate is to “Root for a Greener Future” in our nation.
Trees have significant role in human life and culture, providing food, shelter, and resources.
Today, we gather to commence a transformative initiative that will shape the future of our Diocese, Community, Nation and our Planet through the planting of fruit crops and flowers.
80% of the trees we shall plant will be food trees.
Our tree planting campaign, “Rooting for a Greener Future,” is a call to action, a commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the well-being of generations to come.
In our daily lives, in our busy daily schedule, in the middle of this dynamic city, we all need regular reminders of our connection with nature and our planet. This act is fundamental. The health of our planet is essential to our own health and wellbeing, and to our future and trees are an essential part of it. Trees and forests play an essential role in mitigating the impact of climate change. Planting trees is one of the most important things we can do to contribute to the health of the planet.
Forests are the lungs of our planet, drawing in carbon dioxide and breathing out oxygen.
And trees improve our lives both on a grand scale and at the local level. Strategic planting of trees can help save the energy used for heating in winter and for air conditioning in summer.
Trees in urban areas filter the air and remove harmful particles. They also help to filter and regulate water, preventing flooding and protecting watersheds.
They reduce noise pollution by shielding homes and offices from roads and industrial areas.
They provide a hospitable place for animals to live and other plants to grow.
And if anyone of us visit any Recreative Park now, how much trees can we see that will help to promote health and relaxation, improve quality of life and provide beautiful places for people to relax and socialize?
Trees are mysterious, wonderful and ancient. Plants and forests are hundreds of millions of years old, while homo sapiens has been around for just 300,000 years.
A Geobiologist, Hope Jahren once said, “People don’t know how to make a leaf, but they know how to destroy one”.
Leaves, and trees, and all plants, are a vital accompaniment to human life. As we celebrate festivals, let us celebrate them.
Challenges
There are unprecedented environmental challenges in our society today. These include;
1. Climate change threatens our ecosystems and economies.
2. Deforestation destroys biodiversity and habitats.
3. Pollution imperils our air, water, and health.
But we also have the power to create change.
Advantages
By planting trees, we:
1. Combat climate change through carbon sequestration.
2. Support biodiversity and preserve ecosystems.
3. Enhance air and water quality.
4. Foster community engagement and social cohesion.
5. Ensure a healthier, more sustainable future.
Our Vision
To plant 2 million trees in 20 Archdeaconries which cut across the entire FCT between now and December.
Strategic Partnerships
We look forward to partner with;
1. Non- Governmental Organizations.
2. Religious Organizations
3. Educational Institutions
4. Government Agencies
5. Individual Families.
Call to Action
Join this great and rewarding initiative by;
1. Volunteer for planting events.
2. Donate resources or expertise.
3. Spread awareness through social media.
Our Target
1. To cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility.
2. To create a legacy of sustainability.
3. To ensure a greener future for all.
Indeed, Planting a tree is more than just an act of environmental stewardship; it’s a profound gesture of hope, a symbol of life, and a legacy for future generations.
The event today is a reminder of our deep connection to nature and the responsibility we hold to nurture and protect it. Yes, As we plant trees, we are not only fostering a healthier planet but also sowing seeds of inspiration, peace, and prosperity.
Let this event encourage you to take action today—because every tree planted is a step toward a greener, more sustainable world.
Thank you and God bless you.
Rt. Rev. Dr.Duke T. Akamisoko,
Lord Bishop,
Diocese of Kubwa.
Famous Quotes on Tree planting:-
* “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
* “Trees are the Earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.” – Rabindranath Tagore
* “The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.” – Molière
* “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” – Greek Proverb
* “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson
* “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” – John Muir
* “Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” – Kahlil Gibran
* “He who plants a tree plants hope.” – Lucy Larcom
* “The earth has music for those who listen.” – George Santayana
* “Trees are humanity’s greatest ally in the fight against climate change.” – Leo DiCaprio
* “A tree is a poem that the earth writes upon the sky.” – Kahlil Gibran
* “Trees are like the veins of our planet, carrying the life blood of the air, water and wildlife around it.” – Julia Hill
* “The future will either be green or not at all.” – Bob Brown
* “Trees are the lungs of the earth, purifying the air and giving fresh oxygen.” – Tim Fargo
* “Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.” – Hermann Hesse“
* “The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources on the earth.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
* “If I thought I was going to die tomorrow, I should nevertheless plant a tree today.” – Stephen Girard
* “Trees exhale for us so that we can inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish.” – Munia Khan
* “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson
* “Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking.” – Wangari Maathai
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