The Customs Officers’ Wives Association, COWA has launched a nationwide tree planting campaign aimed at planting 1,000 trees within one hour across multiple locations in Nigeria on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The initiative, implemented under the COWA Green Borders sustainability drive, is designed to promote grassroots environmental stewardship and strengthen community-led responses to climate change, deforestation and land degradation.
Structured as a coordinated national exercise scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., the campaign will bring together volunteers, environmental advocates, and community members at designated planting sites across the country. Organisers say the effort is both symbolic and practical, combining awareness with measurable environmental impact.
Speaking on the initiative, COWA National President, Kikelomo Adeniyi, described the campaign as a call for collective responsibility in addressing environmental challenges.
“If we are to secure a healthier and more sustainable future for our communities, we must all recognise that environmental stewardship is a shared duty. This initiative is not simply about planting trees; it is about planting hope and restoring our environment,” she said.
Adeniyi noted that the campaign aligns with the association’s broader vision of linking sustainability with community development and citizen engagement, particularly among women and young people.
She added that while the immediate goal is to plant 1,000 trees within the one-hour window, the long-term objective is to build a sustained culture of environmental responsibility across communities.
“The awareness we are creating will help nurture environmentally conscious citizens, especially among younger generations. Our vision is to make environmental consciousness a way of life,” she said.
Beyond the planting exercise, the campaign is expected to stimulate broader conversations around environmental protection and ecosystem restoration, while strengthening partnerships with stakeholders and expanding citizen participation in sustainability initiatives.
With the rollout of the “1,000 Trees in One Hour” campaign, COWA is positioning itself as a key player in community-driven environmental advocacy, reinforcing the role of citizens in safeguarding Nigeria’s ecological future.
