FORESTRY, IBADAN — A Professor of Forestry Engineering at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ayodeji Oludare Omole has lamented that Nigerian forests can simply be described as one of the most threatened in Africa.

This, he attributed to the high population growth rate, forest conversion to subsistence and industrial agriculture, illegal logging, and unsafe environment.

Professor Omole made these observations while delivering the 561st Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ibadan on behalf of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources.

The lecture, entitled ” Working in the Shadows of Death,” was the eleventh in the series of inaugural lectures for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Professor Omole noted that forest establishment is directly affected or impeded as a result of the risk associated with planning and carrying out any planting operations in the forest areas.

He stated that farmers have lost their lives to the sporadic shootings of insurgents, bandits, or unknown gunmen in many parts of Nigeria on their farms, highways, and villages.

Professor Omole said that though most of the attacks are in the Northern parts, the ripple effects are felt all over the country adding that this would no doubt affect economic growth, foreign exchange earnings and stability of the country.

He therefore recommended that the federal and state governments should support reforestation and afforestation, restoring ecosystem functions and increasing forest cover.

He urged financial institutions to support the initiatives to mitigate climate change, improve food security, and increase prosperity and employment.

The inaugural lecturer also recommended that special financial allocation for forestry is crucial for sustainable forest management, ecosystem health, and resilient communities.

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According to Professor of Forestry, Omole, Forest Engineers often find themselves “working in the shadows of death” while on duty.

In spite of this, he said Forest Engineers will continue to play a critical role in managing and protecting forest resources, supply of timber, pulpwood and other forest produce to meet the demand for wood and fibre materials for national development.

He said this highlights the importance of safety improvements and support for those in the profession.

As a former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Omole also lamented that the Nigerian University system is under siege and therefore “Working in the Shadows of death”

The Don said if nothing drastic is done to stop the various attacks from the government and its agencies, the system will die faster than anticipated.

Omole stated that the University system is captured and had been held hostage by many government policies, especially since the advent of civil rule.

He listed such policies as Nigerian University System Innovation Portal (NUSIP), the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the proposed imposition of Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) as anti-intellectual policies which have made the running of ideal University system impossible in Nigeria.