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By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe
Need for the establishment of plant conservation area in all the tertiary institutions in the country has been stressed in order to bring the community closer to the natural environment.
The need was stressed by Botanical Society of Nigeria (BOSON) through Prof. Alhassan Ghani immediate past Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere (FUK) during the opening ceremony of BOSON 28th annual Conference holding in the school with the theme “ Afforestation for Ecological And Economic Sustainability’.
Alhassan Ghani who is a a Botanist and Chairman of the occasion said that tree conservation is essential because it would promote afforestation and sustainable society.
The former VC also said that from time immemorial, there have been forest guards who were saddled with the responsibility of checkmating deforestation lamenting however that, “But the problem was, there has never been serious punishment for defaulters hence the need for review by the relevant authorities”.
He however appealed to those that were engaged in indiscriminate felling of trees to stop forthwith saying that, ”Do not cut trees while they are still fresh instead wait for the trees to dry. Even if you do not cut the dry trees ,bush fire would burn them therefore it is important to wait for the trees to dry before cutting it,”.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Umaru Pate represented by Professor Noah Attah Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics said that the conference will promote forest conservation and lead to economic sustainability.
Umar Pate also said that the issue of afforestation is important especially at this time when natural disasters are bedeviling the plant which have impact on human being.
The VC then urged the participants to attend all the sessions and learn from the conference adding that the university was ready to partner with the Association .
In his welcome address, President of BOSON, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe represented by Professor Ajibade Gabriel of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) ,who is the Business Manager, Nigerian Journal of Botany urged the participants to give meaningful contribution on the topic of discussion.
In his keynote address Professor Abdullahi Mahdi, VC, Gombe State University of Science and Technology Kumo said that indiscriminate forest degradation portends a serious danger .
Represented by Malam Usman Ya’u of the Department of History Gombe State University said-human being we’re not the only one affected but also , communities and all creatures in general “thus making it necessary for concerted and collective effort to protect the remaining Forrest around.
In a paper titled “Forest and their roles in the meaningful survival of mankind a Global overview the Speaker said that, there is need for holistic approach and global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related hazards.
Also according to him, it protects ,restores and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems ,sustainably manage forest ,combat desertification and halt biodiversity loss before 2030.
