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…Inaugurates Africa’s first university-based bamboo research institute
From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
Over the years, the importance of bamboo has been neglected. Its usage has been projected to be more than firewood and it has the potential to create jobs and raw materials for industries. Africa is yet to tap into this emerging commercial bamboo cultivation and harvesting industry.
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In providing solutions to this neglect of bamboo production, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, in conjunction with International Network on Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), the Federal Ministry of Environment and a non-governmental organization, Sustainable TransEnvironment International Foundation (STEi Foundation), has inaugurated the first university-based Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SIBRED) to service 16 African countries.
Speaking during the innauguration of the bamboo research institute, Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Ishaq Salako, who chaired the occasion, said the institute would provide solutions to the various challenges facing African countries in harnessing the rich potentialities in bamboo.
In his keynote address, the vice-chancellor of Dominion University, Ibadan, Prof. Abel Olajide Olorunnisola, an INBAR global task force member on sustainable bamboo management, commended the theme, “Unlocking Africa’s Bamboo value chains for sustainable development,” as apt, given the fact that the continent is yet to tap into the huge potential of the bamboo value chain, from farmers to markets, that can aid sustainable development in Africa in several ways.
He said commercial bamboo farming, which involves cultivation, maintenance and harvesting, has the potential to create thousands of jobs for citizens.
“A bamboo plantation of 1,000 hectares can provide about 30,000 tonnes of wood resources, and thus render unnecessary the cutting of over 50,000 hardwood trees per year. The challenge of wood scarcity in Africa can be readily addressed by substituting wood with bamboo in the production of furniture, floor parquet, wall siding, matchstick, toothpicks, plywood, particle board, fibre board, tissue paper, writing paper, paperboard and many more.”
The chairman on the occasion, Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Ishaq Salako, represented by the director (forestry) in the ministry, Mrs. Hajara Sami, pledged the commitment of the federal government towards ensuring that Nigeria begins to take advantage of the bamboo value chain, especially in its fight against climate change: “This institute will help towards curbing youth unemployment and promote value addition and aid technology in the bamboo and rattan sector, as well as boosting policies towards the attainment of sustainable industrial innovation and green economy in West Africa and Central Africa.”
The chief host and vice-chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone, who described the event as a historic milestone for the Ivory Tower, expressed joy that the institution, which has nurtured generations of leaders in various disciplines, would also nurture SIBRED to global reckoning.
He said: “Today, through the initiative and tireless efforts of two of our sustainable development researchers, John Agbo Ogbodo of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife and Professor of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Prof. Ejetuluchukwu Obi, the first university-based bamboo research and entrepreneurship development institute has become operational in Africa under my administration as the sixth substantive vice-chancellor of Unizik.
“I have no doubt that this new Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED) would become the leading citadel of learning and research that would turn bamboo science and engineering discoveries into widespread economic benefits in the African continent.”
The founding director of the institute, Mr. John Agbo, described his appointment as an uncommon one in the history of the institution and appreciated the vice-chancellor for allowing their vision to see the light of day.
Agbo said: “SIBRED aims at promoting bamboo research for innovations, industrialization and entrepreneurship development in Africa. As a professional forester, I can confidently say that the whisper of bamboo in African forests has now become a roar like a lion.
“Asian nations, especially China, garner the largest portion of benefits from bamboo-based sectors, including everything from luxury flooring and cuisines to paper manufacturing and scaffolding. Hence, there is dire demand for bamboo as raw materials. But, prior to SIBRED’s establishment, there was no such bamboo research entity in Africa. Congratulations, Nigeria. Congratulations, Unizik.”
In his response, SIBRED’s co-initiator and deputy provost of the College of Health Sciences, Nnewi, Prof. Ejetuluchukwu Obi, was also happy over the birth of the vision, while the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, who regretted his inability to attend the event, affirmed China as a leading country in the bamboo sector development.
Deputy chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Army, Hon. David Agada Ogewu, and the member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Prof. Lilian Oby Ogboru, also congratulated the institute on the feat.
Goodwill messages poured in from Ms. Diana Doheny, an international board member of INBAR from USA, INBAR West Africa, Ghana, the chairperson of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Anambra State Command, Mrs. Bolanle Adeoye, represented by the treasurer, Mrs. Melody Obili.
Others were the director-general, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), represented by the coordinator in Anambra State, Mr. Emmanuel Hussaini; the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Dara Chijioke Okechukwu, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the VC of Federal University, Dutsinma, in Katsina State, Prof. A.H. Bichi, his counterpart at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Prof. Greg Chukwudi Nwakoby, Awka Window on America Directorate in UNIZIK and students of the Federal Science and Technical College, Awka.
Also at the event were the national president of Bamboo and Rattan Farmers Association of Nigeria (B&RFAN), Chief John Ajie Ogwu; national president of the National Association of Bamboo Farmers, Processors and Marketers, Mr. Ukeme Joshua Nyah; the national president, Coconut Farmers Association, Nigeria, Dr. Nma Okorji, as well as recipients of partnership awards.
