The Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace on Saturday embarked on a tree planting campaign, donated relief items to an orphanage, and distributed wheelchairs to persons in need, as part of efforts to promote peace through non-kinetic approaches.
The initiative, organized by Sector 1 of the operation, was held at Government College Jos, opposite Command Secondary School.
Speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, said the exercise reflected the military’s commitment to safeguarding not only lives and property but also community wellbeing.
“This exercise reflects one of the non-kinetic activities of our operations designed to win the hearts and minds of the people while promoting their health and overall quality of life,” Maj. Gen. Oyinlola stated. He explained that trees provide oxygen, reduce erosion, and mitigate climate change, adding that the rebranded operation integrates tactical security measures with community-focused initiatives.
Commander of Sector 1, Navy Captain Mahmoud Fana, warned against indiscriminate tree felling and charcoal production, which he said had worsened global warming and increased temperatures in Plateau State.
Representing the Plateau State Government, Helen Philimon Haggai, Special Adviser to the Governor on NGOs, commended the initiative as timely and encouraged individuals and institutions to embrace tree planting for environmental preservation.
Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Kachollom Pyam Gang, emphasized the symbolism of holding the campaign in a school, noting that it would instill environmental consciousness in children. “The citrus and high-yield trees planted today will benefit these students in the years to come,” she said.
Faith leaders also lent their voices. Bishop Stanley David of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged the extension of the initiative across Plateau, while Sheikh Yahaya Jingre, a Muslim cleric, stressed the need for holistic environmental protection for the benefit of both farmers and herders.
The event concluded with tree planting by dignitaries, the donation of relief items to an orphanage, and the distribution of wheelchairs, underscoring Operation Enduring Peace’s resolve to blend security with sustainable development.
