Acting Director of Research and Innovation at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Accra, Ghana, Prof. Oluwole Fatunbi has called on the continent of Africa to rethink its approach to production and quest for development.
He gave the charge on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, while presenting the Keynote Address delivered at a webinar organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (TCEBCEM), University of Lagos, in commemoration of the International Day of Biodiversity.
Speaking on the topic, Halting Biodiversity Degradation in Africa: Imperative for Social Movement, the respected Systems Agronomist decried the increasing rate of the loss of biodiversity in Africa to human economic activities.
He identified climate change, over-exploitation of natural resources, and loss of natural habitats to expansion of human settlements and population increase as some of the drivers of biodiversity loss in Africa.
His words: “There is a mutual reinforcement of soil degradation and climate change; and the Common Man is the most active user and abuser of Biodiversity in Africa. Because the Common Man is mostly driven by his need for economic survival, he takes from the environment with little or no thought for replenishment or sustainability. In order to preserve our Biodivdrsity, Africa Must re-think its production system in favour of nature-based approaches. It is time we had an African-owned and African-led development model.”
Disucssions at the webinar were furhter enriched by a Panel Session which featured presentations by the Executive Director/CEO of the National Roots Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, Professor Chiedozie Egesi, and a Faculty Member of TCEBCEM, Dr. Temitope Shogbamu.
In their respective presentations, both scholar-practitioners called for an awakening among scientists and policy makers to the danger of low-agrobiodiversity. They called for a re-thinking of the approach to industrial and physical development, and a closer relationship among scholars, policy makers, and the everyday person whose daily existence depends on the same biodiversity that is being ignorantly destroyed.
The pioneer Director of the TCEBCEM and former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe affirmed the determination of the Center to continue providing a scientific foundaton for the advocacy, use, and preservation of Biodiversity everywhere in the world. He called upon persons of goodwill to join in the quest for environmental preservation.
Current Director of the Center and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), UNILAG, Prof. Bola Oboh, rounded off the webinar with a vote of thanks to presenters and participants.
Prof. Ronke Samuel of the Department of Biochemistry moderated the event.
The International Day of Biodiversity is celebrated every May 22 as a United Nations-proclaimed day to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
REPORT: Isaiah Kumuyi
PHOTOPGRAPHY: Islamiat Akanni
