The General Manager on Monday, stated this on the sidelines of the 2024/2025 Rotary tree planting coastal restoration initiative aimed at planting 1000 coconut seedlings in Lagos and Ogun states.
According to him, Nigeria is currently producing close to 300,000 metric tonnes of coconut per annum representing about $10 billion worth of business transactions.
He went on to say that Nigeria has the potential of operating at $100 billion per annum in coconut production.
“Nigeria is currently operating close to 300,000 metric tonnes of coconut per annum representing a $10 billion worth of business transactions in terms of what we are producing now, but ultimately, coconut has the potential of operating at $100 billion per annum.
“Lagos State government has done a lot and is doing a lot to boost coconut production, processing, commercialisation and utilisation in the state and the country at large. Lagos is the coconut hub in the whole of West Africa due to the interventions of the state government.
“Just recently, the governor approved the release of 50,000 coconut seedlings to Lagos farmers, so a lot of support has been given to coconut growers, processors and stakeholders. We are also giving certification to some of these processors to export their coconuts across the country,” he noted.
Also speaking, the District Governor, Rotary International, District 9112, Femi Adenekan, said the initiative to plant 1000 coconut trees along the coastal shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is an initiative it has taken up to protect the environment.
“We are here to prepare members of the public ahead of our event on Sunday, the 21st of July where we plan to plant 1000 coconut trees along the coastal shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
“This is an initiative we have taken up to protect us, because we often think it is to protect the environment, but we all know the environment will remain the way it is, but we are the ones changing the environment and if care is not taken, the environment would revolt against us.
“So we need to prepare ourselves against the calamity before humanity and this is why we are planting the 1000 trees along the coastal shores. We expect all members of the public to join us in this effort, but our target is to plant 10,000 trees throughout the year,” Adenekan noted.
On his part, the District Chair, Public Image Committee of Rotary International, District 9112, M.r Ehi Braimah, said the event was to discuss how to protect the environment, stating the urgent need to save the environment against the devastating impact of climate change
“What we are doing is to focus on one of the seven areas of focus for Rotary International which is protecting the environment. We are planning to plant 10,000 seedlings of coconut, mango or any other seed all over the state, public institutions, coastal areas, private estates, schools and everywhere,” he averred.
The Chair, Tree Planting Committee, District 9112 Rotarian, Rotary International, Gboyega Bada, said the District is determined to be strongly involved in helping to combat the challenges of climate change to have a safer and cleaner environment.
He added that the vision of the Rotary District on the tree planting for this year is achieving a safer and cleaner environment by planting 10000 seedlings of coconut, mango and other related crops that have economic, health and environmental benefits.
