FORESTRY ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ELECTS DR AFOLABI ABIODUN TAJUDEEN AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT, CONFERS FELLOWSHIP ON 25

The 44th Annual Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN) held at Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital recently has been described as a very successful one.

The Conference brought together Foresters from different walks of life to discuss issues relating to the ecosystem and sustainable livelihoods. Jigawa State had the largest continent (33) to the Conference.

It was indeed a great moment of joy for the Ogun family of the Forestry Association of Nigeria as the State last had the opportunity of hosting the conference 33 years ago. It was therefore a great moment of joy for veteran Foresters like Chief J.B. Odebiyi , the Chairman, Board of Trustees and proud son of the Gateway State to have all Foresters converge in Ogun State.

Declaring the Conference open, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Oludotun Taiwo appreciated FAN for the commitments towards sustainable development.

Welcoming participants to the Conference, the Chairman, National Organizing Committee , Dr. Nureni Adewole eulogized members and stakeholders for their unflinching commitment which has been a source of inspiration to the leadership of the Association.

Speaking further, Adewole stated :

As a reputable national and international professional association, the Forestry Association of Nigeria identifies with emerging regional and global issues, particularly, those that directly and/or indirectly impact on the management, uses and sustainable development of Nigerian forest estates and resources.

“Thus, in the last 10 years, the Association has deliberately concentrated more on addressing such contemporary issues in the context of Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. In this regard, issues that shape forestry, and those that are shaped by forestry have been holistically addressed. The importance of forestry in the unending global debates on sustainable development, climate change and Security cannot be over-emphasized.”

The current issues confronting the forest estates in Nigeria is the issue of security and threats to management and maintenance of the forest resources.

The 42nd Annual Conference addressed Forestry Development in Nigeria: Fifty years of intervention and advocacy, whilethe 43^rd Annual Conference addressed the issue of Securing the Nigeria’s Forest Estates for Sustainable Development. In line with this trend, the Forestry Association of Nigeria will this year, address another issue on Forest Management for sustainability development under the Theme: “Repositioning Forestry for Sustainable Ecosystems and Livelihoods”

In his remarks, the immediate Past National President of the Association, Alhaji Ahmad Rufai Ibrahim thanked members for the great support he received since assumption of office as National President on 15th March 2018.

According to him, ” I want to place on record that I have enjoyed the cooperation of my members. I like to thank the members of Board of Trustees, my Executive members, the Council of FAN and the entire members of FAN for believing in me throughout my tenure as President.”

Other highlights of the Conference was the election of Dr Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen as the National President of the Association to lead other elected executives. Dr. Afolabi is a 1985 graduate of the Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ibadan and former General Manager of Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory.

In his remarks, Afolabi asserted that he is ready to spend and be spent towards taking FAN to greater heights.

Prof. Kayode Ogunsanwo, a Professor of the University of Ibadan was returned as the National Secretary to coordinate the Secretariat of the Association.

The 44th Annual Conference also witnessed the conferment of Fellowship of the Association on 25 distinguished members of the Association who have carved a niche for themselves and contributing significantly to the growth and development of the Association. They are

ABERE SODIENYE AUGUSTINE

WAIDI BABATUNDE ADEBOSIN

OYE SIMON ADEDOYIN

ADEWALE YEKINI ADELEKE

ADEBOYIN FUNMI ADEROUNMU

ADE ADEYEMI ADEWUNMI

JOSEPH OLUDARE ADEYEKUN

ADEDAPO AYO AIYELOJA

AYOOLA OLUSEGUN AKINWOLE

OLADAPO AKINYEMI

MICHAEL AKPAN

IDOWU EMMANUEL ANIFOWOSE

OLUWAYEMISI GRACE EBUNOLUWA AROWOSOGE

PHILIP OLATUNDE BANKOLE

ADELEKE ABIODUN DADA

IJEOMAH, HENRY MMADUABUCHI

DAVID NOSAKHARE IZEKOR

DAVID FINCHIWA JATAU

KASIMU MOHAMMAD YABO

MORENIKE OMOYEMI OJO

SYLVESTER AROBOI OKONOFUA

JONATHAN CHUKWUJEKWU ONYEKWELU

CAROLINE NNYOMIJE OPARA

FAITH ALADI SALE

TERVER NORBERT TEE

The eight point communique of the Association hopefully will reposition the forestry sector in Nigeria and promote sustainable livelihoods, ValidViewNetwork reports.

The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Retired PS, Seyi Banjoko while reviewing the Conference asserted that it was undoubtedly a huge success.

” No doubt, the Conference was a huge success. I thank the Executive of FAN , Ogun State, all members of local organizing Committee, members of Ogun FAN stakeholders and stakeholders for working assiduously towards delivering the Conference of our collective dream”