Agriculture

Ogun Forestry Ministry Organises Retreat for Officers

By Web News 420

By Olusegun Folarin

Officers of the forestry ministry in Ogun State, especially those in the forest reserves have been urged to stand up to their responsibility towards harnessing the natural resources and uphold the global highest standards of forestry management.

Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Taiwo Oludotun stated this during the opening ceremony of a three-day retreat, organised by the ministry for the management staff and heads of division of the ministry, at Ijebu -Ode, in Ogun State. 

The commissioner explained that the retreat was a unique opportunity for them to reflect on rules and regulations guiding their jobs as foresters, exchange ideas and deepen their understanding of forest management principles.

Mr Oludotun who noted that though the government was committed to the preservation of natural vegetation, especially in the protection of the ozone layer, said the ministry would not be deterred from boosting the revenue by blocking leakages.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Timothy Olatunji, had explained that the retreat would enable officers to reflect on global best practices, identify areas of improvement, and collectively brainstorm on innovative solutions while drawing on diverse perspectives and expertise within the group.

Participants including Mrs. Asake Badejo and Mr. Olumuyiwa Adeogun appreciated the leadership of the ministry for organising the retreat, assuring that the knowledge gained would be utilised to move the ministry forward.

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Agriculture

Ogun State Government Reads Riot Act to Illegal Farmers, Timber Contractors  

By Web News 364

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Ogun State government has ordered illegal farmers and timber contractors to vacate the Omo Forest Reserve, in Ijebu-East/ North Local Government Area of the state, on or before January 15th, 2024.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Taiwo Oludotun, who gave the order during a meeting with farmers, village heads and timber contractors at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said seventeen communities were identified to have encroached on the buffer zones of the forest reserve.

The communities are Eseke, Tamitami, Bridge, Korede, Fatai, Sojukorodo, Etemi-Gerade, Onigburugburu, Erifun, Aba Alhaja, Erimogan, Ologunna, Ori Apata, Imaba, Apora, Fatai 2 and Yomi Iga.   

Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Taiwo Oludotun

Mr Oludotun pointed out that planting cocoa seedlings within the state’s forest reserves was illegal, warning that any cocoa seedlings found within the forest reserve after the exit date would be duly sanctioned.

He stressed that the ministry would not fold its arm and allow illegalities to continue within the forest reserve, saying any timber contractor found to be involved in cocoa plantation within the reserves, would be sanctioned.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Timothy Olatunji, called on timber contractors to cooperate with the ministry to put an end to the unwholesome activities within the forest reserves.

Responding, the representatives of timber contractors, Mr Kunle Kalejaye and Alhaja Ranti Bambi, expressed displeasure at the violation of government’s directive by some illegal farmers, promising to complement the ministry’s efforts in curbing the illicit act.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke

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