Sequel to the approved Revised Guidelines, the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) (Federal Department of Forestry) organized a Stakeholders Consultative Meeting from 18th-19th January 2023, the outcome of the meetings informed the Minister of Environment, Hon. Bar. Mohammed Abdullahi to launch the Revised Guidelines on Export of Processed Wood and Other Allied Products (Charcoal) and the Honourable Minister also declared the ban on Charcoal Export from Nigeria Lifted but subject to the compliance of stakeholders to the approved Revised Guidelines and adequate Reforestation/Afforestation.
NACPDEAN is working towards achieving its aims and objectives regarding restoring the national forest and achieving sustainability in the subsector through executing our 2022-2032-Blueprint for the Project themed: The National Forest Protection, Afforestation, Reforestation, Agrisilviculture (Trees & Crops), Alternative Charcoal Production from the wastes, not the wood, Charcoal Supply, and Forest Sustainability Projects in the country with its mission to champion trees planting in the nation by establishing five thousand (5000) hectares of forest estate in every senatorial district, resulting to fifteen thousand (15000) hectares of forest cover in every state in Nigeria.
Furtherance to the foregoing, the President of NACPDEAN inaugurated an ADHOC Committee to oversee the actionable tasks ahead. The ADHOC Committee members held a 3-day consultative, strategizing, and inspection meeting at Ilorin, Kwara State from the 28th – 30th of April, 2023.
In attendance were the following:
1. Edu Babatunde – National President;
2. Kingsley K. A Amadi – National Secretary-General;
3. Ojei Joseph Uche – National Assistant Secretary-General;
4. Michael Garuba – National Zonal Vice President North Central;
5. Kayode Usman Animashaun – National Zonal Vice President South West;
6. Dada Daniel Owolabi – National Financial Secretary;
7. Ajani Omotosho – National Adviser;
8. Olorunnisola Ifedayo Ajiboye – National Assistant Adviser;
9. Stephen O. Adeoye – Director of Afforestation;
10. Balogun Tawio Oluwaseun – National Assistant Publicity Secretary;
11. Favour Funmilayo Aiyedogbon – National Women Leader.
Find below the outcome of the meetings:
MEETING AGENDA:
1. AFFORESTATION;
2. TASKFORCE SET UP IN KWARA;
3. INAUGURATION OF KADUNA STATE EXCOS.
1. AFFORESTATION:
The committee met and deliberated on afforestation strategic ways towards realizations, and afterwards went for an inspection of the proposed afforestation land at Bode Saadu town in Ilorin, Kwara State. We paid a visit to the Community Chief at his residence to seek permission to inspect the site collectively with the company of the Acting Kwara EXCOs, led by Alhaji Lateef an active and committed member. The land was testified to be very fertile. The land is 8km long and 1km wide which spans over 8100 hectares of arable land. The land is at the edge of a river, which runs through the length of the land, providing an abundance of water supply for the proposed planting of trees and cash crops. They were a few farmers on the land, which is also an advantage to NACPDEAN to access workforce and community engagements. After the inspection, the committee and the Kwara Acting EXCOs went back to the Community Chief for further deliberation which was concluded that NACPDEAN should send a Letter of Intent through a proposal. The committee assured the Chief to expect NACPDEAN’s proposal in due course. The committee in conclusion to the site inspection, recommended that NACPDEAN should kick-start its first afforestation planting of trees and cash crops with 100 hectares from the proposed and inspected site at Bode Saadu town in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central, Nigeria.
Other meetings were held with some key stakeholders in Kwara state regarding facilitation and collaborations.
2. TASKFORCE SET UP IN KWARA:
The Committee also held a meeting with the NACPDEAN Charcoal Stakeholders Acting Kwara State EXCOs and members. The deliberations were focused on Taskforce and Membership Drive. The members in Kwara pleaded with the Committee to quickly act fast about setting up the NACPDEAN Kwara State Taskforce to ensure compliance and streamlining of the charcoal commodity sector in the state. They also gave the committee insights into the operations of the stakeholders and areas in which the national association can collaborate with the state to boost the sector and achieve the aims of NACPDEAN. Discussions were also held about working towards organizing the NACPDEAN Charcoal Stakeholders Kwara State EXCOs election which is also expected to be held soon.
3. INAUGURATION OF KADUNA STATE EXCOS:
The Committee also proposed that the national EXCO should embark on actualizing the state executive elections for members of the NACPDEAN in Kaduna state. There are acting and active members in the state who have made it clear that the members of the state are ready to hold their state executive election. The committee recommended that the national EXCO should work fast to achieve the Kaduna state election to encourage and increase membership.
The committee ended its meetings and inspection on Sunday night 30th April, 2023 and members traveled back to their various destinations on Monday morning.
Kingsley K. A. Amadi
National Secretary General
NACPDEAN