CONSERVATION OF FOREST RESERVES PANACEA TO FOOD SCARCITY, OTHERS COMM

Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun said Nigeria's target on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) towards food security and support advancement for human health would be achieved through proper conservation of resources in the forest reserves.

Engr. Oludotun made this known at a Project Inception Workshop in Abuja organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), on Biodiversity & Sustainable Use of Lowland Forest Mosaic Landscape for Ogun, Ondo, Edo and Delta States.

The Commissioner stated that interaction among organisms and their physical environment was vital in halting land degradation and the existential threat posed by climate change, to further protect water bodies, soil and soil microbes.

Engr. Oludotun pointed out that Ogun State Government had adopted strategies to restore biodiversity to include, collaboration with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation, flag-off of Land Degradation Neutrality Project and partnership with corporate bodies for forest regeneration, and many more  

"Conservation of biodiversity is vital for maintaining the earth's environment and sustaining life on the earth, and it requires a collective effort at the national and international level. Therefore, all trades and activities that can endanger flora must be discouraged”, he said

Oludotun advised forest-dependent communities, Non-Governmental Organisations, government at all levels and other stakeholders in the forestry sector to take cognisance of the ecosystem, in order to achieve a sustainable future for all.

In his contribution, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi urged the citizens to shun activities that could lead to destruction of the natural habitat of wildlife, such as agricultural expansion, poor forest management, urban development among others.