Ikorodu Girl Wins International Forests Day Essay Competition

Jawakalitu is in the middle wearing blue beret

Miss Jawakalitu Odusanya, student of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu has emerged the overall winner in the “International Day of Forests Essay Competition” organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture.

Jawakalitu who was presented an occasion to celebrate the 2022 International Day of Forests was declared the best in the senior category as well as the overall best.

She won herself dozens of admirers when she was given the opportunity to read her award winning essay.

Her write-up was in-depth ,just as her delivery of the script was adjudged “superb”.

NCF Representative Receives Award On Behalf Of The Foundation For Championing The Course Of Better Environment In Nigeria

In her remarks,the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya stated that Jawakalitu demonstrated great intellect and smartness in the competition and deserved to be the winner.

Commenting on the contest, Ms. Olusanya said, the debate and essay competitions for secondary schools students were “aimed at raising awareness of school children to the need to be conscious of their environment and to imbibe the culture of conservation.

“Eighteen (18) entries were received from thirteen (13) schools across the 6 Education Districts out of which six emerged winners.

“To encourage and motivate the winners, the ministry will establish a Mini Forest in their schools with selected trees”.

The Lagos state Agric Commissioner identified other activities carried out to the celebrated to global day of observation saying, ” A lot of activities has been planned to commemorate this year’s event in order to make a bold statement about our seriousness as a State towards the need to protect our environment and safeguard pur food system. These include :tree planting campaigns where young trees will be planted to encourage vegetation regeneration. Ceremonial tree planting.

“Sharing of infographics, videos,news and messages on environmental conservation via social and other media in order to reach a wider audience.

“As a government, the state is deploying huge resources to maintain a balanced ecosystem and as joint stakeholders, it is our responsibility to encourage and mobilize every single member of our family and constituencies to plant one tree each.

“Let me also use this opportunity to remind us that it is against the law to cut any tree in Lagos state without getting the approval of the Directorate of Forestry in the Ministry of Agriculture. We will therefore appreciate your cooperation in furnishing the Ministry with information when and where such infraction takes place.

“Once again, on behalf of Lagos state Government, I thank you for coming to celebrate this year’s International Day of Forests. I specially express my heartfelt appreciation to our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow. My appreciation also to our supporters such as Nigerian Conservation Foundation , GEYIBA Agro-Services, Emadel Integrated Energy Services, Dengel Anifowoshe Enterprises and members of the press for being worthy partners always”, she concluded.

At the occasion, NCF donated over 2000 indigenous tree seedlings to support Lagos State Government in its tree planting campaigns. The foundation had been awarded by the commissioner for championing the course of better environment and forests regeneration in Nigeria. Part of the tree seedlings donated by NCF are to be used by the Agric Ministry to establish ” a Mini Forest” in the schools of the six students that emerged winners in the Forestry Essay Completion.

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