Lagos To Plant 1000 Coconut Seedlings In Schools and Beaches

(Cross section of LASCODA Executive during the partnership with Rotary Club on coconut planting)

The Lagos State Government is set to plant 1000 seedlings of coconut as parts of its plans to promote coconut production, processing, commercial and utilization.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority,( LASCODA), Dapo Olakulehin disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting held recently at Oniru Beach on Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to him, in order to meet the needs of the public at large, LASCODA has partnered with the Rotary Club of Eko Atlantic to distribute and plant coconut seedlings in public schools, coastal areas and communities across the state.

Olakulehin explained that the project extends beyond environmental benefits to the entire coconut value chain actors and stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on the coconut crop.

He said, “This project is an offshoot of the Coconut Development and Growth Project which aims to plant 1,000 coconut seedlings in public schools, coastal areas and communities”.

“The proposal is to promote coconut production, processing, commercial and utilisation of Coconut to ensure it meets the needs of the public at large.The General Manager noted It also aims to rebuild the Atlantic green wall in order to save Lagos land from the vagaries of the ocean.

On his part, the President, the Rotary Club of Eko Atlantic, Gboyega Bada, said, “We are partnering with the state government to restore the beauty of the coastal lines, combat rising sea levels, curb erosion, and break torsional winds by planting trees, particularly coconut trees which is the tree of life due to its enormous benefits to mankind”.

He presented a Certificate of Partnership to the General Manager of LASCODA in recognition of his effort and achievement in the value chain sector, promising that the Rotary Club would work hand in hand with the state government to build a better Lagos.

Similarly, the Oniru of lruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, who was represented by the Chief of Ituri community, Baale Wasiu Okoya, commended the initiative and implored the agency to ensure the coconut is properly distributed to all communities in the State to enhance the value of coconut.