Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, has decried the high level of deforestation, saying that the world loses an estimated 10 million hectares of the forest annually to it.
He revealed this on the occasion commemorating the International Day of Forests at the University, Okada, Edo State.
Truth Live News Media reports that the theme of the International Day of Forests is “Forests and economies”,
Prof. Ezemonye said Nigeria is not also exempted from the global crisis occasioned by deforestation, saying that, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has constantly flagged the country as one of the countries with the highest rates of deforestation in Africa.
Ezemonye added that the consequences of this loss are grave as its effect are visible in increased flooding and desertification and up to the collapse of ecosystem services, displacement of communities and the acceleration of climate change.
He pointed out that based on the negative impact of deforestation in our ecosystem, the International Day of Forests is not just ceremonial but a clarion call to action.
He noted that as a university, they bear a unique and privileged responsibility in this conversation as institutions of higher learning are, by their very nature, custodians of knowledge and incubators of solutions.
He said Igbinedion University is proud to affirm its abiding commitment to environmental sustainability not merely as an academic subject, but as a live institutional value.
On the part of the keynote speaker, Nosa Adams, Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Edo State, who spoke on the theme “Forests as climate assets”, said protecting the forests, is protecting our lives.
The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Edo State, Mr. Victor Otamere, said the government is doing its best in preserving the forests, thus establishing the Edo State Forestry Commission, headed by a chairman.
For the chairman, Edo State Forestry Commission, Valentine Asuen, represented by the Area Forest Officer, Ovia North East, Mrs. Joan Omosigho, he said despite the immense benefits of the forests, they are confronted with the challenge of deforestation.
He however called on Nigerians to be good ambassadors of the forests.
Earlier, on his welcome address by the Director Centre for Climate Change and SDGs, Prof. Spencer Nwangwu, said, the forests of the world are in crisis globally.
He said deforestation continues at alarming rates, driven by agricultural expansion, urban sprawl, illegal logging and the relentless pressure of human consumption.
Prof. Nwangwu further reminded participants at the event that the day should not only be seen as a speech making day but one for commitment to making a change that would improve on the environment.
