The director-general of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Zacharia Yaduma, has called for action to build back diversity, and create a better future for the present and future generations.
Speaking at an event to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023 organised by FRIN in Ibadan on Monday, Yaduma said that “As we look around us, we see the devastating effects of our past actions on the natural world. Species are going extinct at an alarming rate, ecosystems are collapsing, and climate change is exacerbating these issues.”
The DG was represented at the event by Professor Oladapo Akinyemi, Director of Research at FRIN. He said, “But it is not too late to act. We have the knowledge, tools and resources to make a positive change.”
The DG recalled that the United Nations has set ambitious targets for biodiversity conservation, including the protection of 30% of the world’s land and sea areas by 2030.
He also highlighted efforts by the institute and UNESCO to heighten biodiversity.
“In Nigeria, we had only one biosphere reserve until 2020, when Nigeria increased the biosphere reserves to four.”
The four biosphere reserves are: Omo Biosphere Reserve in Ogun State, Oban Biosphere Reserve and Okwango Biosphere Reserve, Cross River State, and Hadejia-Nguru-Bade in Yobe/Jigawa State.
There are also five strict nature reserves managed by the Institute.
A paper entitled ‘From agreement to action: Build back biodiversity’ was presented at the event by Professor Lameed Gbolagade of the Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan.
He stressed that human activities were the leading cause of biodiversity loss.
Professor Gbolagade also used the opportunity to call on security forces to secure the Kainji Lake National Park that was recently overrun by terrorists, in order to preserve human, plant and animal lives in that zone.
Biodiversity refers to all plant and animal life, explained Professor Morenike Ojo, director of Elizabeth Ehi-Ebiewele Biodiversity Linkage Centre at FRIN.
She noted that the International Day of Biodiversity is celebrated May 22 annually.
According to her, “Our existence and survival depends on biodiversity conservation. We must nourish and protect what God has given us. We must utilise them in a sustainable way so that they don’t go extinct. An agreement was reached in Canada last year; it is time for action.”
