Growing a Greener Ojo: Chairman Muhibat Rufai Leads 2026 Tree Planting Campaign
The Executive Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Hon. (Princess) Muhibat Titilola Rufai, on Tuesday led council officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, staff, youth volunteers, and residents in commemorating the 2026 Lagos State Tree Planting Day with a symbolic tree-planting exercise at the Ojo Local Government Secretariat.
The event formed part of the statewide tree planting campaign simultaneously held across the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State. The exercise coincided with the official state flag-off led by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, under the theme, “Trees for Lagos: Our City, Our Responsibility.”
In her address, Hon. Rufai commended the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), for sustaining the annual tree planting initiative aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
She observed that the increasing challenges of climate change, flooding, rising temperatures, and environmental degradation require collective action, stressing that tree planting has become an essential strategy for safeguarding public health and creating a healthier environment.
The Chairman urged residents to embrace environmental stewardship by planting and nurturing trees in their homes, schools, offices, and communities, noting that building a greener Ojo is a shared responsibility.
Hon. Rufai also emphasized that planting trees is only the first step, encouraging residents to ensure that the trees are properly cared for until maturity. She directed relevant council departments to collaborate with LASPARK in monitoring and maintaining trees planted across the Local Government to guarantee their survival.
She further reminded residents that, in accordance with Lagos State environmental regulations, anyone who removes a tree without the appropriate permit is required to replace it with five new trees. She also encouraged residents to take advantage of the free tree seedlings available at LASPARK nurseries in Ikorodu and Agege.
Expressing appreciation to LASPARK, traditional rulers, Community Development Associations, educational institutions, corporate organizations, and volunteers for their support, the Chairman reaffirmed Ojo Local Government’s commitment to advancing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Development Agenda, particularly its focus on environmental sustainability and public health.
She also reiterated the Council’s commitment to contributing to Lagos State’s target of planting 20,000 trees before the end of the 2026 rainy season.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic planting of trees within the Council Secretariat by the Executive Chairman alongside councillors, members of the executive council, Heads of Department, NULGE executives, and youth volunteers, reinforcing Ojo Local Government’s commitment to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
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