Stakeholders have called for the effective management and use of natural resources, emphasising that effective management is pivotal to achieving sustainable development, particularly in the areas of food, land, water, and oceans.
The experts included, Labode Popoola, Professor and the Executive Secretary of the African Forest Forum, Nairobi, Kenya, Sunil Sriwadana the Country, representative of World Fish in Nigeria, Kayode Adebowale, Professor and the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Adejoke Akinyele, the Dean, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources of UI, Abiodun Oluwadare, Professor of the Forest Production and Product Department of the premier university, and others posited that sustainable management, and innovative use of renewable natural resources are viable path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The experts stated this during the five-day maiden hybrid conference organised by the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Postgraduate College of University of Ibadan with the theme: “Renewable Natural Resources Management and Use: A path to Sustainable Development”.
The conference held at the First Bank Building, Faculty of Agriculture of the University was attended by the University Management team, deans of other faculties, retired professors of the faculty, government officials, researchers, scholars, international participants, NGOs, early researchers and students.
The event was powered by UI, IUFRO, FEMADEC Group, Fan Milk, NCF, WorldFish, 360′ Habitat Limited, Amarac Technologies Incorporated, UI Distance Learning Centre, FOJ MultiDynamics and the Processed Wood Producers and Marketer Association of Nigeria (PROWPMAN).
Labode Popoola, the keynote speaker, said renewable natural resources were not infinite, submitting that when managed wisely, they regenerate and continue to provide essential goods and ecosystem services that sustain human life and economic growth.
The former Vice Chancellor of Osun State University asserted that renewable natural resources were central to six transformations; education, gender and inequality; health, wellbeing and democracy; energy decarbonisation and sustainable industry; sustainable food, land, water, and oceans; sustainable cities and communities and digital revolution for sustainable development.
The Professor of Forest Economics and Sustainable Development at the University of Ibadan urged researchers to collaborate with a broad spectrum of actors, including multinational corporations, local governments, regional and international institutions, and civil society organisations.
He recommended that the government must prioritise integrated policies that promote the sustainable use and stewardship of renewable resources, invest in innovation, science and capacity building, support circular and inclusive green economies, promote sustainable production and consumption, integrate renewable resources into the global sustainability agenda, strengthen renewable natural resources and sustainability education and research among others.
Adebowale, the Vice Chancellor of the University, said the path to sustainable development was paved with the wise management of renewable natural resources.
The VC pointed out that Nigeria and Africa’s rich endowment of natural resources formed the bedrock of economies, cultures, and ecosystems.
