Ogun State Urges Timber Traders to Plant Trees as Nigeria Pushes Afforestation

ABEOKUTA: The Ogun State Government has called on plank sellers and woodworkers across the state to join a renewed Ogun tree planting drive, urging them to plant trees to boost afforestation, protect the environment and preserve the state’s nine forest reserves. The charge was delivered on Saturday by the State Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, at the 10th anniversary of the Irewolede Plank Sellers and Wood Workers Association in southwestern Nigeria. Oludotun disclosed that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has planted about five million trees so far, adding that the state’s nine forest reserves are now fully functional.

Ogun tree planting: traders urged to plant as they harvest

The commissioner urged those in the wood business to partner with the government and source timber from the forest reserves, while also planting more trees to sustain the environment for future generations.

Stakeholders who spoke at the event called on plank sellers to embrace technology to improve their operations and protect the environment, and urged younger people to cultivate the habit of protecting nature — stressing that sustainable forestry is essential for a healthier environment and a better future.

Rows of young trees in a tropical plantation. Ogun State says nine of its forest reserves are now fully functional.

A decade of the timber trade

Earlier, in his welcome address, the chairman of the Irewolede Plank Sellers and Woodworkers Association, Mr Gbemisola Adenekan, said the 10th anniversary was more than a celebration of a decade — it was a celebration of unity, resilience, hard work, enterprise and the collective spirit of the association.

Adenekan said the association has coordinated the affairs of plank sellers and woodworkers at Sawmill, Lafenwa, in Abeokuta, while promoting the welfare, peaceful coexistence and economic interests of its members. He commended the Ogun State Government for its continued efforts to create an enabling environment for businesses, artisans and other productive sectors of the economy.

The chairman also lauded the Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Student Affairs, Adeyemi Azeez, for his dedication, sacrifices and commitment to the growth of the association.

Stacks of planks at a timber yard. Ogun State has urged plank sellers and woodworkers to join tree-planting efforts.

FAKTA

• Ogun State has called on plank sellers and woodworkers to plant trees to boost afforestation and protect the state’s forest reserves.
• Commissioner Taiwo Oludotun disclosed that about five million trees have been planted under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.
• The state’s nine forest reserves are now fully functional, according to the commissioner.
• The call was made at the 10th anniversary of the Irewolede Plank Sellers and Wood Workers Association in Abeokuta.

A growing movement for green cover

The Ogun initiative adds to a series of tree-planting drives across Africa and beyond. South Africa has planted over 7.1 million trees under its One Billion Trees programme, while England’s government announced a new Community Trees Fund on September 30 that will plant up to 500,000 trees between 2027 and 2030 — a sign that governments worldwide are turning to large-scale planting to fight climate change, desertification and environmental degradation.

For Ogun, whose reserves had largely gone moribund before the current planting drive began, the message to the timber trade is simple: those who cut must also plant.

Frequently asked questions

Who urged the timber traders to plant trees?

The State Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, delivered the charge at the 10th anniversary of the Irewolede Plank Sellers and Wood Workers Association in Abeokuta.

How many trees has Ogun State planted?

According to the commissioner, the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has planted about five million trees so far.

How many forest reserves does Ogun State have?

Nine. The commissioner said all nine are now fully functional after years in which most were moribund.

What did the association’s chairman say?

Gbemisola Adenekan described the anniversary as a celebration of unity, resilience, hard work, enterprise and the collective spirit of the association.

Why is the government involving timber traders?

The commissioner wants those in the wood business to partner with the government, source timber from the reserves and plant more trees so the trade sustains the environment it depends on.