Date: 2022-03-25

Kwara Commissioner for Environment, Abosede Olaitan Burahimo, has alerted to the danger of deforestation, warning of the dire consequences of high temperature in the northern axis of the state.

During the 2022 International Day of Forests in Ilorin, the commissioner said some 10 million hectares of forests are lost across the world yearly, adding that over one billion people depend directly on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicines, and income.

The event was organised by the state government in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). Her words: "The temperature is alarming now in our state, thereby putting both the communities and people at great risk. Today, the temperature in the Patigi Local Government Area is about 41 degrees Celsius. It has been predicted that it could soon rise to 43 degrees Celsius."

She, therefore, urged the people to identify with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all by 2030, "particularly, the SDG 12, which is aimed at responsible consumption and production."

On the theme for this year's celebration, "Forests, Sustainable Production and Consumption is Fitting," Burahimo implored residents to embrace tree planting and forest preservation.

She pledged that the Governor AbdulRahaman Abdul Razak administration would continue to discourage deforestation and promote aforestation through sustained enlightenment.

NCF's Director-General, Dr Mutairu Aminu Kano, represented by Joseph Onoja, pleaded with the participants to spread the message in their constituencies.

Climate change expert, Solomon Adefolu, said Nigeria is currently rated as the sixth deforested nation in the world, after being regarded as the capital of deforestation globally few years back.

He listed use of charcoals for domestic cooking as the biggest risk factor to deforestation. He noted that by 2047, Nigeria, through its Green Recovery Project, hopes to recover its lost forests.

Adefolu added that 17 of the 36 states had been covered by the project via the planting of fresh trees and protection of existing ones.