By Seun Ibiyemi
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 as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and community development.
The initiative, scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026, under the COWA Green Borders sustainability drive, will see volunteers, stakeholders, environmental advocates and community members simultaneously plant trees between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. in designated locations across the country.
The campaign is designed to encourage grassroots environmental stewardship while contributing to climate action efforts through community-led participation.
COWA said the exercise seeks to address pressing environmental challenges such as deforestation, climate change and land degradation, while also promoting public awareness of the ecological and social benefits of tree planting.
Describing the initiative as both symbolic and practical, the association noted that the “1,000 Trees in One Hour” campaign reflects its commitment to sustainability programmes that combine awareness, participation and measurable impact.
Speaking on the initiative, the National President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, described the campaign as a call for collective action and shared responsibility in protecting the environment.
“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, restoring our environment and inspiring a culture of responsibility that can endure for generations,” she said.
Mrs. Adeniyi explained that the campaign aligns with COWA’s broader sustainability vision of linking environmental action with community development and citizen engagement.
She added that while the trees planted would contribute to environmental restoration, the awareness created would help nurture environmentally conscious citizens, particularly among younger generations.
“The ‘1,000 Trees in One Hour’ campaign shows what can be achieved when people come together with purpose. It is both symbolic and practical.
While the trees we plant today will contribute to environmental restoration, the awareness we are creating will help nurture environmentally conscious citizens, especially among younger generations,” she said.
READ ALSO:Niger/Kogi Customs holds hypertension awareness lecture for officers
She further stressed that the initiative is intended to grow beyond a one-day event into a sustained nationwide movement for ecological advocacy and community participation.
According to her, the Green Borders initiative is designed to encourage partnerships, inspire local ownership and ensure sustainability is driven not only by policy but also by citizens.
The nationwide exercise is also expected to strengthen collaboration among communities, environmental groups and institutional partners while expanding support for future sustainability interventions under the COWA Green Borders framework.
With the launch of the campaign, COWA said it remains committed to deepening its role in community-based environmental advocacy and empowering women and young people as critical stakeholders in safeguarding Nigeria’s environmental future.
