Chief Wisdom Otolo, head of the Agili community in Otuabagi, Ogbia Local Government Area, has praised women in his domain for restoring a degraded swamp forest through a major tree-planting initiative.

Otolo commended the Otuabagi Women Farmers Cooperative Society (OWFCS) for planting 7,750 raffia palms in the Ekpadior forest between February and May.

He described the effort as a significant contribution to environmental restoration and global ecological sustainability.

Otuabagi is home to Nigeria’s first commercial oil well at Oloibiri,

The place has suffered decades of environmental degradation linked to oil exploration activities.

The women-led project seeks to revive the once-thriving raffia forest and restore biodiversity in the oil polluted ecosystem.

Otolo said the initiative would strengthen ecological conservation and improve the long-term environmental health of the area.

The project was facilitated by the Community Environment and Development Network (CEDEN) with funding support from the Global Greengrants Fund.

The women exceeded their original target of 7,000 raffia palms, planting a total of 7,750 seedlings.

OWFCS Chairperson, Derite Inara, said the project provided valuable knowledge and practical experience for participating women.

She applauded members for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout the restoration exercise.

The group’s Secretary, Sarah Emiebo, pledged continued efforts to protect and conserve economically valuable tree species in the community.

She said Otuabagi women have historically played key roles in preserving local ecological resources.

Financial Secretary, Warikiente Walama, said the project highlighted the economic and nutritional benefits of raffia to the ecosystem.

According to her, many younger women gained first-hand knowledge of raffia nurseries and their livelihood potential.

Also, Azibaolanami Egbo, Treasurer said the collective effort strengthened unity and cooperation among women in the community.

The women leaders called for stronger collaboration with government agencies to expand economic opportunities for rural women.

Otolo also thanked the Global Greengrants Fund, Social Action, and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment for supporting the restoration initiative.

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