Association of Flower Nurseries and Landscaping Practitioners, Abuja AFNALPA celebrated its 10th anniversary on Wednesday with the launch of its plant a tree and save a life campaign.

This, the group stated is aimed at promoting effective landscape, development and environmental protection.

Presenting a welcome address at the AFNALPA” s celebration, President of the Association, Mrs Mary Omoh stated that the association is aimed to meet a target of setting up a Horticulture Village in Abuja as a pilot site for the purpose of planting 10 million-tree and flowers for the purpose of beautifying the country while growing the green belt nationwide.

According to Omoh, it is aimed at sustaining the urgency of mitigating the adverse effect of climate change in Nigeria and to support the Federal Government in her bid to eradicate desertification.

She explained that the group alongside some private Nigerians who practise plant nursery embarked on the project with the aim of contributing their own quota to the growth, development and beautification of FCT and in the process cultivating the atmosphere for green and refreshing preservation of the ecosystem in partnership with relevant natural conservation agencies on issues related to the preservation of the good health of the environment.

‘‘The celebration at AFNALPA at 10 is an event planned to celebrate the associations achievements in carbon upset and also to join the government in propagating the global campaign to manage the climate change indices and with all that determination to follow our readiness to support the implementation and development of climate change’’ he said.

Omoh however congratulated every member of the association adding that it is their vision that the village garden will be integrated with parks and recreational activities, a vast amount of green area and a sectionized area for each participating partner to promote.

Unveiling the Abuja Horticulture Village by the Chief Host, Hon. Min of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijajjani Aliyu noted that efforts are in top gear to mitigate the effects of climate change in the FCT.

Represented by S.A on Environment and Climate Change, TPL Rekiyat Fache while congratulating AFNALPA on the great 10 years milestone, urged FCT residents to plant a tree to save lives as it is one of the mitigating efforts against global warming and climate change.

Also, the Keynote address by the Minister of State for Environment, Barr Sharon IKeazor, Represented by Assistant Director, Mr Peter Bagudu stated that human activities of polluting water bodies and bush burning are some of the catalysts of climate change.

While congratulating the association on this milestone achievement, he insisted that the 10 million tree planting initiative is timely considering the urgent need to confront the diverse and severe impact of environmental degradation that has continued to ravage the global community.

‘‘The event of today is a clear demonstration of the public private partnership strategy of this administration in its bid to encourage all and sundry to its national tree planting campaign.

‘‘It is my hope that this initiative will provide significant economic, social and environmental benefits including job creation, economic growth and sustainability, improved socio-economic livelihood veritable carbon to address change mitigation and adaptation’’ he said.

High point of the event was the Unveiling of AFNALPA Magazine and presentation of AFNALPA ecosystem conservation awards to 15 awardees including First Lady and Wife of the President, H.E Mrs Aisha Buhari, Wife of the Vice President, H.E Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Min of Environment Barr Sharon Ikeazor, UN Deputy Secretary General, Dr Amina Muhammed, Senator Magnus Abe, and Life Time award to FMR First Lady of Nigeria, H.E Dr, Mrs Ajoke Murtala Muhammed.