Practitioners in forest landscape restoration have urged the Federal Government to galvanise the support of stakeholders to restore degraded landscapes and ecosystems.

They made the call during a training programme of the UI Pan-African Restoration Education Network, which took place at the University of Ibadan and themed: ‘Landscape Restoration Dynamics and Governance for Forestry Practitioners in Nigeria’.
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The experts include the Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, Prof Adejoke Akinyele; Dr Paul Kwakwa from University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana; Dr Chinwenwa Ngwuli from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State; Gbenga Filani of the Forestry Commission, Ekiti State, and a Director from the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Daniel Afe.

It is an initiative of the Pan-African Restoration Education Network, comprising the University of Ibadan, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Ghana; University of Development Studies, Ghana; Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi, and Integrated Polytechnic Regional College, Rwanda.

The network is in partnership with CIFOR-ICRAF, Global Landscape Forum and International Model Forest Network, and developed a curriculum on ecosystem restoration. The training attracted about 60 participants, including lecturers, forestry practitioners, government officials, ecosystem experts, environmental conservationists, students, policymakers, researchers, and non-governmental organisations.

The Lead Facilitator of UI Pan-African Restoration Education Network, Prof Adejoke Akinyele, said the training was aimed at equipping forestry practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary for the restoration of degraded landscapes, sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Akinyele urged the government to seek the support of stakeholders in efforts aimed at restoring the degraded environment and landscape for the benefit of all. She said: “We must have the buy-in of all stakeholders to achieve a successful landscape restoration effort.
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‘’I want to encourage the Federal Government to restore our environment and degraded landscapes, as well as provide the necessary support required to restore our natural landscapes in Nigeria. We need to understand that climate restoration or rehabilitation is a joint effort by all stakeholders.’’

On her part, Ngwuli said landscape degradation is a global issue, adding, ‘’We need to reclaim landscapes that will help in the provision of food.’’

Also, Filani from Ekiti State said: ‘’From this training, the nation can learn how to restore its biodiversity and land as well as ensure we have those resources that are going into extinction. With this, we can have a better environment.’’

Also speaking, Afe maintained that it was imperative to ameliorate the impact of soil degradation in Nigeria and the world at large. ‘’When we have a healthy environment, it will enhance our social and economic lives and the ecosystem will be better for it,’’ Afe said.

Kwakwa said with the growing emphasis on ecosystem and landscape restoration, the need for professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge and participatory skills is increasing, while restoration education traditionally focuses on reforestation and ecosystem rehabilitation.
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