Maureen Okpe
As part of its contribution to curb the issues of climate change, the Obaubazauw Community Worldwide, a Non-Governmental Organisation has set its plans to plant one million trees though out Nigeria within 10 years.
Chairman, Planning Committee and High Chief Okobo of the community, Capt. Bishop Johnson made this known on Wednesday during the media unveiling of Obaubazaw Community Worldwide Green Life Abuja Revolution Project.
The Obaubazauw Community Worldwide was established five years ago, to demonstrate that people with different religious worship, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, race, gender and ethnic backgrounds can coexist in love, peace and harmony and can also come together to solve their common problems.
Johnson said, Abuja Green Life Revolution Project is Obaubazauw’s own contribution to help government meet its international commitments to preserving our planet for our future generations.
According to him, the community undertake humanitarian services and embark on such projects that encourage and enhance peace, unity, dialogue, in the environment and living condition of all people in Nigeria and across the globe.
“Abuja Green Life Revolution Project – One Million Tree Planting per Annum for the next ten years is Obaubazauw’s contribution to saving our planet for our future generations and helping our government, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its effort to meet its commitment to the Paris Agreement.”
He stated that with the escalating issues of climate change ranging from farmers-herders clashes, to flooding in most part of the country, it has become imperative that if our planet must be preserved for our future generations, all of us as individuals, organizations, governments and international bodies must act now to save the earth.
“The Paris Agreement as we all know is a legally binding international treaty on climate change which was adopted by 196 Parties including Nigeria at the UN Climate Change Conference, Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015, and entered into force on 4 November 2016.
“At a time when the people of the world are questioning the purpose of global organizations like the United Nations, when the threat of major power conflict has returned, when rapid technological change has introduced new economic uncertainties, and when the future of the post-World War II global system itself is in question, it must be recognized that our identities and sense of worth were not circumscribed but are enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves, as nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than oneself, something that encompasses all of us, but that not defined by our existence alone.”
“The Abuja Green Life Revolution Project can be cited by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as one its steps to meet her Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LT-LEDS).
Speaking further the committee Chairman noted that, “every year on 12th February, Obaubazaw marks the birthday of its king, the Bazau of Obaubazauw, His Royal Majesty, HRM, Evangelist Chuks R. Otikpo Esq with different activities of Ofala now named Adicadodia, meaning in Obaubazaw language, the king’s day, which culminates into social causes such as visits to orphanages and scholarship awards to indigent students in the FCT.
He said, this year’s Adicadodia is different and will be marked differently due to the fierce urgency with respect to our environment.
“We therefore, invite all well-meaning citizens of Nigeria and the world to join us at Precious Hall of Evelyn Garden and Recreational Center, 3rd Avenue, Gwarinpa on 10 February 2024 by 12noon as we flag off this all-important project.
“The King’s Day will also feature awards to deserving Nigerians, organizations and government agencies, international organizations whose contributions have furthered the cause of humanity in many positive ways. The community will also award scholarship to ten indigent students from ten secondary schools in the FCT
“At Obaubazauw we believe that as citizens of the world, we weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.