Catholic Priest Advocates Tree Planting in Kaduna

On Sunday, Rev. Fr. Michael Nwatu, a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, called on Nigerians to engage in more tree planting and to cease indiscriminate felling of trees during his homily at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral in Kaduna. He expressed deep concern regarding the ongoing destruction of trees and forests, linking deforestation to environmental degradation and the exacerbation of climate change effects.

Nwatu highlighted the necessity for individuals and communities to take responsibility for environmental preservation, advocating for increased tree planting to combat desertification, especially in areas suffering from vegetation loss. He stressed that environmental protection should involve not only the government but also individuals, religious organizations, and community leaders.

Nwatu urged communities to protect existing trees and nurture newly planted ones, emphasizing the importance of educating children and young people about environmental conservation. He warned that continued vegetation destruction could lead to severe consequences, including rising temperatures and soil degradation, and called for collective efforts to restore degraded areas.