Don calls for urgent resuscitation of moribund wood-based industries in Nigeria

The 521st Inaugural lecturer of the premier University, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Ogunsanwo has challenged every stakeholder in the Nigeria project to work assiduously towards the resuscitation of moribund wood based industries in Nigeria.

Speaking at the Inaugural lecture titled “Sustainable Wood Utilisation: A Cue from the Noah’s Ark” Ogunsanwo who is also the National Secretary of Forestry Association of Nigeria, posited that wood industry is a key player in the global economy.

The Professor of Forest utilisation charged the nation to maximise the potentials of the forest which according to him gradually becoming a big source of income for many countries in the developed world.

While advocating for policy review to take care of the current realities and yearnings in the sustainable management of the forest, the University Don lamented that the current extant Forest Policies in Nigeria only make a passing statement on wood development and utilisation despite the position of wood as one of the major and important forest resources in the country.

According to Ogunsanwo, the importance of research in ensuring sustainable management of the forests cannot be overemphasized. While calling for private participation in forestry, he equally charged the nation to be committed to the expansion of the management of the forest resources through the creation of National Centre for Wood and fibre research.

“To enhance the potentials of our forests, we need to begin to advance the importance of research. The nation urgently needs the creation of the National Centre for Wood and Fibre Research; the development of emerging timber species through public-private forest plantation development initiatives; and the creation of integrated wood-based industrial hubs.”

He lamented the values being lost to the moribund wood-based industries in Nigeria while calling for concerted efforts towards their resuscitation.

According to the Don, : “The Nigerian wood-based industry used to be a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product ( GDP), contributing immensely to employment, household income, primary health care, and general livelihood.

“There used to be paper manufacturing companies, pulp and paper Mills, plywood Mills, particleboard, and other wood composite making factories. All of these factories have either been sold out or are in comatose.”

He encouraged government to renew its commitment to forestry development and create enabling environment for investors.

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“To resuscitate these national assets and ensure maximum conversion of waste in the forestry industry to wealth and promote sustainable wood utilisation, the nation urgently needs to ensure that major wood processing plants within the country are actively running”