Issues of forest conservation and the sustainable use of wood were highlighted as the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in collaboration with International Society of Tropical Forests (ISTF), Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Tree Club, University of Ibadan marked the 2024 International Day of Forests and World Wood Day, with the theme, ‘Forests and Innovation: New solutions for a better world and diversity of wood in culture.’
Zacharia Buba Yaduma, Director-General/CEO of FRIN, in his presentation noted that, “Forests are not only a valuable source of wood, but also a catalyst for innovation and the development of sustainable solutions for a better world. By promoting the diversity of wood in culture and harnessing the potential of forests, we can create a more sustainable and diverse future for us all.”
Nkechinyere Isienyi, the president of International Society of Tropical Forests (ISTF), said the day was set aside to encourage people to plant and nurture trees. “Trees have a lot to give back to those who plant them,” she noted.
She noted that as part of the event, ISTF Nigeria planted trees across the zones in Nigeria. Abdullahi Usman, ISTF Nigeria Zonal Representative Northeast, led tree planting at NEPA/KARA graveyard in Potiskum LGA of Yobe State. The Southwest zone tree planting was led by ISTF Nigeria president, Isienyi. Together, ISTF Nigeria FRIN chapter members, University of Ibadan, Tree Club, planted different indigenous plants within Ibadan metropolis.
Dr Olusola Areo, the head of Forest Products Development and Utilisation Department at FRIN said, “Today is the second annual celebration of World Wood Day in the institute. It is to highlight the diversity of wood in the country, looking at how we can utilise wood in a sustainable way to serve as an ameliorating partner against climate change.
He said, “In our department, we don’t waste wood. We want people to know that every part of a tree is useful. This is what we have been doing research on in this department over the years.
“If wood is used sustainably, people will not need to go to the forests to cut more trees. These are things we are working on so that forests will continue to increase. We talk about planting of trees, but sustainable wood utilisation is an essential part of forest conservation.”
Dr Nureni Adewale, an associate professor at the Department of Wood Product Engineering, University of Ibadan and keynote speaker at the event, spoke on “Sustainable Wood Utilisation as a Panacea to Climate Change.” He said, “We must adapt technology that will increase rate of recovery from wood. Our recovery rate is low. We hardly utilise 50 percent of trees harvested!”
Mr Adedayo Memudu, acting Director, Technical Programmes Unit, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) noted that, “Today is the day set aside to celebrate forests and to draw the attention of the whole world to the plight of forests and their unsustainable utilisation. It is to urge not only gobal, regional but local actions to reverse the ugly trends of their loss and degradation and warning us of the potentially grave consequences if we allow this resource to be lost forever.
Assessing Nigeria’s conservation efforts over the years, he said: “I will rate us average because we have the necessary institutional frameworks to protect and sustainably manage our forests. Nigeria is a signatory to several international commitments and treaties for the sake of forest conservation and sustainable utilisation. More so, we have the manpower and material resources to keep our forests intact. But Nigeria has a huge population depending on the limited forest resources and the forest estates coincide with regions known for high population and centres of development.
He however added that “We still have a very rich resource base. A good number of locations in Nigeria still qualify as global biodiversity hotspots.” He noted that the country has rich biodiversity in terms of mangroves, rainforests and savannahs, and forest resources.”
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