The Chief of Special Services and Special Programmes of the Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Henry Wesley stated this on Sunday at a tree planting ceremony at the Infantry Zoological Garden, Jaji Military Cantonment Kaduna.
Wesley said; “The tree planting ceremony is symbolic and significant as it is an opportunity to showcase the structure and the idea behind it to the world.
“It is important that we inspire them all to start planting trees because cutting down trees poses a threat to people and food security in the country.”
He explained that the idea came about long before the development of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Wesley said: “We have never heard of it or seen it, the initiative is not common in sub-Saharan Africa.
“We are fortunate that the army itself has set up a department called ‘Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches’, which is engaged in crop cultivation and livestock rearing.”
He therefore said that the measure was part of the Army’s efforts to expand the department’s remit and also raise awareness.
According to him, this is the education of students so that the younger generation absorbs the living culture. The commander TRADOC, Major General Kelvin Aligbe said they were inspired to initiate the development of what is now known as the Infantry Zoological Garden.
He said: “This will soon be changed to Nigerian Army Conservation Education Centre.
“In 2020, when I was the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Infantry School, we set up this place because we wanted to create an environment that would be therapeutic and not just meet the needs of the families living in Jaji.”
Aligbe said the facility was also intended to provide a different perspective on the Nigerian Army’s commitment to conservation.
“We have stocked the place with copies of all the Nigerian Army mascots. Instead of travelling to all the units, we have all their mascots here.
“Therefore, this place represents a library of mascots for the Nigerian Army.
“This is the main thing and we hope it will continue to grow as a partner of global conservation and wildlife organizations,” Aligbe added.
