The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Forestry/Produce sub sector, Mr Oluwagbenga Akingbasote, mni has reiterated the importance of forests and tree planting on human existence.
Speaking with journalists at the nursery site of the Ministry at Oke Eda, Akure to mark this year’s International Day of Forests,with the theme ” Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World”, the Permanent Secretary remarked that 21st of March every year had been declared by the United Nation’s General Assembly in year 2012, to raise awareness and give importance to the protection of forests.
Mr Akingbasote harped on the need to keep the forest safe and ensure that people cultivate the habit of tree planting in the environment for the betterment of humanity. He stressed that trees are important to human existence, as they take up carbon dioxide from smokes and engines; while giving human oxygen to breath in.
He explained that in addition to providing oxygen, trees in environments improve quality of air, contribute to climate change amelioration, water conservation, soil preservation and good support for survival of wildlife.
Mr Akingbasote also used the opportunity to appreciate the Ondo State Governor, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for the support he gave the Ministry by releasing funds to transplant the already raised seedlings from the central nursery site to different forest reserves. He specifically mentioned the approval given towards raising over 80,000 seedlings of different species of both exotic and indigenous trees for regeneration areas of the forest reserves.
He also commended efforts made by the government to ensure forest regeneration through Public Private Partnership ( PPP) arrangement with reputable companies and individuals who are willing to invest in trees planting, such as the afforestation project, located in the southern part of the State.
He enumerated challenges facing the Ministry in terms of forests conservation, such as encroachment, illegal felling of trees, deforestation, among others, adding that the main purpose of the forests are strictly for tree planting and not for any other purpose.
The Permanent Secretary warned encroachers to desist from encroaching into the forest reserves as government will not leave any stone unturned to ensure adequate protection of the forests, noting that anyone caught will be made to face the consequences, in accordance with the extant Forestry Law.
He reminded the general public that the State Forestry Law prohibits any manner of tree felling even in privately owned properties, except with the written permission of the Ministry.
He, therefore, said the forests are created by God for mankind to strive and flourish, and that all hands must be on deck to protect the forests for the betterment of humanity and as God given wealth for us and our future generation.
The Director of Regeneration, Mr Godwin Osere; Director of Anti-Encroachment, Alhaji Moshood Obadun; Director of Forest Utilisation, Mr Dada Audu; Director of Wildlife, Dr Joseph Adeyekun; Project Manager, Afforestation, Mr. Tope Adebusoye; Director Forest Headquarters, Mr Afe Adedayo; Director of Central Forests, Mr Kola Akinwasola; and Akure Zonal Forest Officer, Mrs Oluwayemi Johnson all spoke at the media tour to mark this year’s International Day of Forests.
Sola Omoboyowa,
Head, Publicity and Media Relations
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
