The African Coconut Heritage Initiative (AGUNKEFEST) in conjunction with the Lagos State Coconut Traders and Sellers Association, celebrates the Year 2020 World Coconut day with a kick-off of Coconut Rehabilitation Programme (Badagry Action Plan) aimed at promoting the planting of over 2,000 Coconut seedlings across Badagry Local Government.
The event which took place today, 2nd September, 2020 at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat, witnessed the distribution of the not less than 50 seedlings to various communities and associations, across the coastal region.
Speaking at the event, Badagry Local Government Chairman, Mr. Olusegun Onilude ably represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Akotomeh Gbetogo pledged to bring change to the premises of the Secretariat and the entire Local Government by taking full advantage of the rehabilitation programme through planting of coconuts in the council secretariat.
‘’When the President of AGUNKEFEST (Prince Doheto Messi) came to the Chairman, I was with him and the Chairman assured him that there is going to be changes.
“He told the President that he has informed the Head of Department of Environmental Services that the Secretariat oremises will soon be filled up with coconut trees”. Mr. Akotomeh said.
He also said that the Local Government is ready to put together resources to ensure there is coconut rehabilitation in Badagry.
“For us as a government we are ready to do all it takes to ensure there is coconut rehabilitation in Badagry by planting with all relevant inputs in different parts of Badagry and in collaboration with the organisers to start planting of environmental friendly trees especially coconut”. He added
A Federal House of Representatives Member representing Badagry Federal Consistency, Hon Babatunde Hunpe who was represented by Hon. Sokenu Joseph, the Former Supervisor for Housing and works in the Local Government also registered his support for the programme, promising to include coconut dealers in the area in the poverty alleviation programmes facilitated by him.
“We discovered that whenever poverty alleviation programmes are carried out, coconut dealers are not carried along. For this reason the Honourable has promised to have them at heart.” He said.
In the same vein, the Supervisor for Environment and Tourism, Badagry Local Government, Mr. Samson Apata stated that the department is restrateging on ways to ensure residents stop cutting down of coconut trees as well encouraging residents to start planting coconuts particularly at the coastal areas as the act brings more beauty and promote good living among residents and visitors.
The Supervisor for Agriculture in the council area, Mr. Akojenu Sonayon encouraged residents to desist from promoting deforestation, particularly cutting down of coconut trees as this is seen as cutting down their own heritage.
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