The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) has launched a nationwide environmental campaign aimed at planting 1,000 trees within one hour across multiple locations in Nigeria, in a bold effort to promote sustainability and grassroots climate action.
The exercise, scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 7:00am to 8:00am, form part of the association’s “COWA Green Borders” sustainability initiative, designed to encourage community participation in environmental protection and ecological restoration.
The coordinated campaign will see volunteers, stakeholders, community members, and environmental advocates simultaneously planting trees in designated locations across several states, in what COWA described as both a symbolic and practical intervention against deforestation, climate change, and land degradation.
According to the association, the initiative goes beyond tree planting to foster environmental awareness, civic responsibility, and long-term ecosystem restoration, particularly at the grassroots level.
Speaking on the project, the National President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, said the campaign underscored the power of 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, restoring our environment and inspiring a culture of responsibility that can endure for generations,” she said.
Mrs. Adeniyi added that the “1,000 Trees in One Hour” campaign reflects COWA’s broader vision of linking environmental sustainability with community development and citizen engagement.
“The campaign shows what can be achieved when people come together with purpose. 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 noted.
She further stated that the initiative is expected to evolve into a sustained movement for environmental advocacy, encouraging partnerships, local ownership, and continuous community participation under the Green Borders framework.
COWA said the simultaneous nationwide exercise will reinforce collaboration among communities, environmental organisations, and institutional partners, while strengthening support for future sustainability programmes.
With the launch of the campaign, the association reaffirmed its commitment to environmental advocacy, positioning women and young people as key drivers of Nigeria’s climate resilience efforts.
