The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to planting one million tree seedlings as part of its efforts to combat desert encroachment.
The Commandant, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, made this known on Wednesday in Kaduna during a tree-planting exercise held in celebration of the academy’s 61st anniversary.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NDA launched this large-scale tree-planting initiative in 2024 to curb desertification, protect the environment, and preserve the ecosystem.
Maj.-Gen. John Ochai acknowledged desert encroachment as a pressing reality, stressing that the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) was at the forefront of efforts to address the challenge.
He highlighted the significance of the tree-planting campaign in promoting environmental sustainability, stating that it was a way of restoring balance to nature after years of human development.
The Commandant also reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to meeting national expectations by producing highly skilled leaders for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“Our graduates have excelled in various fields, serving as royal fathers, industry leaders, and chief executives across both private and public sectors,” he added.
Maj.-Gen. John Ochai reaffirmed the Nigerian Defence Academy’s (NDA) commitment to training military cadets, emphasizing its crucial role in national development.
He noted that the academy was instilling environmental consciousness in cadets to ensure the preservation of tree species across the country.
“The Kaduna State Government has also launched a tree-planting initiative, aiming to plant 10 million trees over four years. Our target is one million trees, and both efforts align in their goal of environmental sustainability,” Ochai stated.
He added that the trees planted today would serve as a lasting legacy, symbolizing the academy’s 61-year history for future generations.
The Commandant further revealed that the NDA established a Biodiversity and Conservation Center in 2024 to enhance research, education, and environmental awareness. The center, he said, is designed to build capacity for sustainable environmental practices in line with global standards.
Ochai encouraged cadets to embrace tree planting, highlighting its role in providing shelter, enhancing the landscape, and combating desertification.
He also called on organizations to adopt similar initiatives by planting trees to protect the environment.
The Director of the Biodiversity and Conservation Center, Prof. Bryian Onwumere, commended the initiative, emphasizing that the military had embraced the importance of environmental protection.
He noted that in the past, military personnel primarily focused on their training in the wild without much consideration for environmental conservation.
“Today, they recognize that the natural environment plays a crucial role, even during training exercises. Protecting these spaces is now a priority,” Onwumere stated.
He expressed satisfaction that the military had adopted this mindset, adding that tree planting was just the first step—ensuring proper protection and conservation of the trees was equally essential.
Onwumere further highlighted that the trees planted included various indigenous species, carefully selected to promote long-term environmental sustainability.