Prof. Olusuyi Fabiyi from the Forestry and Wood Technology Department at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), said the Okonla Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Project (MERP) will help reduce the effects of climate change.
Fabiyi, who also leads the Centre for Human Settlements and Sustainable Development (CHUSSDEV), said this on Tuesday during the launch of the project in Okonla, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
He said the project will remove 10,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air each year, which is like stopping pollution from 150,000 cars.
The goal of the project is to bring back the mangrove forest and help local people find better and more sustainable ways to earn a living, while also protecting the environment.
Fabiyi explained that they received funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to carry out the project.
The project includes planting trees and training women, young people, and other residents in new ways to earn a living.
He said the project will greatly benefit the environment by cutting down 10,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The first part of the project took place in Okonla, where the community gave 50 hectares of land. More areas will be added later.
However, the mangroves in the area have been badly damaged by people using them for firewood and other needs.
The project involves the local community, who are being trained to grow mangrove trees from seedlings and take care of them.
Women, young people, and other residents also learned modern fish farming skills to help them grow their businesses.
They received tools like floating fish cages, baby fish (fingerlings), and fish food to help improve their incomes.
Dr. Adetoun Olaitan, who represented the UNDP’s Global Environment Facility Small Grant Programme, said the UNDP is committed to helping communities solve environmental problems.
She said local communities are in the best position to improve their environment and solve the problems they face.
Olaitan explained that the UNDP supports projects like this by offering training and promoting new ways for communities to earn a living.
She said the Global Environment Facility wants to encourage local efforts that have a positive impact on the global environment.
Prof. O.V. Oyerinde from FUTA also talked about a special programme to support women called the “green gold” initiative.
This programme trains women to grow and sell forest products that don’t involve cutting down trees.
These products include snails, vegetables, and eco-friendly leaves used for food packaging, which can replace plastic and help women earn money.
This initiative goes along with the fish farming training and gives people floating cages, fingerlings, and feed to improve food supply.
Oyerinde said women were chosen because they take care of families, and helping them through the “green gold” programme supports both income and the environment.
By focusing on women, the programme helps households become stronger and encourages environmentally friendly ways of living.
Oba Okun Akinbulejo, the traditional leader of Okonla, thanked UNDP and CHUSSDEV for bringing the project to their community.
He promised that the people of Okonla would take care of the mangroves so that future generations can enjoy their benefits.
Mangroves are important because they protect the coast, store a lot of carbon, and help fish and wildlife thrive.
