OKADA — The Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, has called on governments, institutions and individuals across the globe to renew their commitment to forest stewardship, reaffirming the university’s dedication to environmental sustainability as a core institutional value.
Prof. Ezemonye made the call on Thursday during activities marking the 2026 International Day of Forests at the University in Okada, Edo State.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice Chancellor- Academics and Research, Prof. Blessing Ose Oligbi, stressed that sustainability at IUO goes beyond academic discourse, describing it as a “living principle” embedded in the institution’s operations.
Highlighting the global importance of forests, the Vice-Chancellor noted that they cover about 31 percent of the earth’s land surface and harbour over 80 percent of terrestrial biodiversity.
Despite their critical role, he warned that forests are facing unprecedented threats.
According to him, an estimated 10 million hectares of forests are lost annually to deforestation and degradation.
He added that Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest deforestation rates in Africa, as consistently reported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Prof. Ezemonye cautioned that the consequences of forest loss are severe, ranging from increased flooding and desertification to ecosystem collapse, community displacement and accelerated climate change.
“This commemoration is not merely ceremonial; it is a clarion call to action,” he said.
He urged stakeholders within and outside the university to intensify solution-driven research, adopt sustainable practices, engage local communities, and collaborate with government, civil society and international partners to bridge the gap between knowledge and action.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals, IUO, Prof. Spencer Nwangwu, underscored the global forest crisis, attributing ongoing deforestation to agricultural expansion, urbanization, illegal logging and unsustainable consumption patterns.
He emphasised that the observance should inspire concrete action rather than remain symbolic.
In a keynote address titled, “Forests as Climate Assets,” the Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Barr. Nosa Adams, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Enodolomwanyi Otamere, described forest protection as vital to human survival. He noted that the state government has taken steps to preserve forest resources, including the establishment of the Edo State Forestry Commission.
The International Day of Forests is observed annually on March 21, following its proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012.
