One of the problems of politicians in this part of the world is the tendency to view every aspect of development as monumentally taxing and difficult to attain, as if they have to reinvent the wheel.

But one of the masters from the developed world made it clear that you don’t have to, no matter the subject or area of endeavour. All you need is to stand on the shoulders of those that have been there before you.

Or as the cerebral Chinweizu put it, to say you are original today, you may have to cut off your head. But, given that Africa lags both in human and material development, an initiative such as Prof Ben Ayade’s vision of planting a million trees with a specific date of commencement is commendable.

Given that his gesture is geared towards a healthier and cleaner environment, yours truly would not only salute him but offer necessary and informed counsel on how to achieve the desired goal.

In a recent media report, the Cross River State Governor was said to have declared July 30 of every year – beginning from this month of 2019 – as a “public holiday for the planting of one million trees in a ceremony known as Green Carnival.”

His chief press secretary, Mr Christian Ita, who disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday July 16, in Calabar, explained why his principal specified a day for the exercise. That is, “to underscore our readiness for the REDD+ and commitment to forest conservation and management.” For the benefit of the lay public, the acronym REDD+ means Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. The governor also noted his commitment to the sustainable management of forests and conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stock. Unlike most of his peers who are either indifferent to ecological issues or make unrealistic political statements about the environment, Ayade made it clear that as an agricultural state blessed with enormous land resources, the initiative is also an essential part of the global efforts to mitigate climate change.

He was confident that the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will stand by its words to “support developing countries in their REDD+ processes and in turning their political commitments - as represented in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - into action on the ground.”

The professor, who affirmed that one million trees would be planted during this year’s Green Carnival on July 30, added that the exercise, which is to take place simultaneously across the 18 local government areas of the state, was also aimed at addressing the challenge of urban deforestation.

It is important to note that yours truly had earlier canvassed the need for the Federal Government to set aside a day to honour Oloibiri crude oil-find, to be dedicated for the promotion of environmental issues nationwide.

Nigeria being a federation, the Bayelsa State Government could equally come out with a date for that event to be honoured in the state, from where we can move to the federal. Governor Ayade has shown a good example in an area of great importance to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state governments and metropolitan and various local councils in the country.

In terms of planting trees to turn a desert land into well-watered arable land, Republic of Israel, has also excelled in that area. Given her success, it is important to note that tree planting for afforestatation, demands thoughtful planning and strategic implementation, and not political doublespeak and empty pledges. Also of great interest the governor’s assurance that progamme will have a peculiar feature for the ancient and historical city of Calabar, already famous for carnivals.

His words: “The Urban Green Canopy Calabar initiative would sustain Calabar as the greenest city in Nigeria and Cross River as the greenest state.”

Reading through the report, it had the typical Nigerian politicians’ touch: All text and no plans and strategies to actualise the programme, which we know should involve experts in town and country planning, geography, landscape architecture and gardening, among others

The tiny, creative and powerful nation of Israel, as in many other facets of life provides a good example of a successful campaign of tree planting through the years, as captured in the free encyclopaedia: “With over 240 million planted trees, Israel is the only country that entered the 21st century with a net gain in the number of trees. Due to massive afforestation efforts, this fact echoed in diverse campaigns. Israeli forests are the product of a major afforestation campaign by the Jewish National Fund (JNF).”

A core lesson from the above is that for tree planting exercise to yield the desired result, it must be a sustained and strategically programmed campaign, not a one-off political pronouncement devoid of political will and financial and moral commitment. Second, tree planting is not an all-comers affair, as Ayade’s announcement make it look. Experts of various backgrounds are required right from the onset, if the project must be a success. Note that that the Israeli exercise was not handled by political jobbers or civil servants. Therefore, there must be an establishment responsible for the Tree Planting Programme besides everybody must plant a tree across all the local governments pronouncement.

After the planting, what next? Even before that, how do you source ONE MILLION TREES? What manner of plants are they? Who ensures that variety of plants to be planted are suitable to the environment or location? While the foregoing questions yearn for answer, it is also necessary to appreciate the significance of professionals in the exercise. Besides the role of Landscape Architects, which will robustly feature in a subsequent article, let us examine a particular trade rare in our clime. And, if earlier tree planting programmes failed, their non-involvement or absence could be partly responsible. That professional is an Aborist. Who is he? you may rightly ask. Wikipedia explains: “Arborists use hand and power tools to prune, hedge and remove trees. They may specialise in keeping trees healthy, planting trees or landscaping. Arborists may work both in an office setting, designing park layouts or planning new planting as well as outside, trimming and shaping trees.”

And now, before planting the one million trees in Cross River, as one has also read about Kaduna State: How many Aborists are there, either as Consultants or state employees? While only the governor/s can provide the answer, the next question that prompts up is: Can anyone plant one million trees as a haphazard political exercise? The answer is NO. It must be planned and strategically implemented as a project. It also has a pattern.

An expert recommends the following eight steps in organising a tree planting project. Choose the type of tree planting project you'd like to organize and: Decide who needs to be involved; organize a planning committee and set a date for the event; choose the planting site and species and get all necessary permits; analyse needs and costs; raise funds; recruit volunteers, and order trees and supplies.

Professionals have a credible and satisfactory answer, to those who care to know the importance of trees in our neighbourhoods. “Trees give off oxygen that we need to breathe. Trees reduce the amount of storm-water runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution in our waterways and may reduce the effects of flooding. Many species of wildlife depend on trees for habitat. Trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals.”

In the well-planned and aesthetically landscaped metropolitan Western cities, tree planting stands them out from the slums of Africa and other third world countries. In those countries, the history of landscape gardening, later called landscape architecture, dates back to 1800, when they were features of manor houses, royal palaces, religious complexes and government establishments.

•Nwafo, Consulting Editor, News Express/Environmental Analyst, can be reached on: chi_dafo@yahoo.com; +2348029334754.

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