Browsing by Author "Azeez, I. O"

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Access to credit and value additions to some non-timber forest products in Egbeda Local Government Area, Nigeria
(2012) Azeez, I. O; Falade, K.O
The capacity to promote sustainable use of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and facilitate increased financial benefits to local users as incentives for forest conservation is low due to neglect by governments particularly in Nigeria. Such capacity is however imperative to stemming rural poverty and can be enhanced by incorporating NTFP collection and commercialization research into forest management development programs. But sustainable production and conservation of forest products is influenced by a number of factors, largely socioeconomic and institutional in nature. Men and women also play different roles in the collection and utilization of NTFPs. This paper reports collection and sales of NTFPs against some socioeconomic background of identified collectors in Egbeda Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo state, Nigeria. Purposive simple random sampling was used to select respondents from the study population using the medium of the Egbeda Farmers Association of Nigeria (EFAN). Egbeda LGA has 10 cell groups of EFAN and twelve (12) farmers were selected from each of the cell group. A total of 120 sets of structured questionnaire were used to document demographic information, involvement in NTFPs business and access to credit facilities among respondents. Oral interview were also conducted to know if they engage in the NTFPs business as a primary occupation or secondary occupation, the type of NTFPs specialized in, their sources, number of gathering trips per week, and the amount made from the sales of the NTFPs. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. More than half (53.3%) of the respondents involved in the NTFPs business in the study area was of the male gender and 62.5% had secondary education. Majority of the respondent (88.2%) engaged in NTFPs gathering as a secondary occupation. Their access to credit facilities was low. The amount made from sales without credit facilities is reasonable. Inadequate funding, lack of credit facilities, inadequate information about how to market their products and its neglect by government were identified as a major constraints to sustainable collection and use of NTFPs. NTFPs would contribute more to livelihood in the study area, provided access to credit can be facilitated.
Assessment of Agroforestry Practices as a Land Use Option in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria
(Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ibadan, 2005) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L; Amusa, T.O
The paper examines the adoption of agoforestry practices as a land use option in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. Data were generated from primary and secondary sources. The primary data were obtained from structured questionnaire and direct interview of farmers in the study area, using purposive simple random sampling technique. Fifteen farmers were randomly sampled from each of the ten cells of Atisbo Farmers Association of Nigeria with 440 members. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and inferential test statistics. Results show that although perception of farmers on agroforesty practices varied among respondents, out of the various forms of agroforestry being practiced in the study area, the tree crop system was dominant with a modal frequency of 67.3%. It was also discovered that farmers adopted agroforestry practices for various reasons. The most popular of which was the food and financial gains that accrued from the planning of fruit trees. However, paucity of information, bush burning, labour required and non-availability of incentives were considered as major constraints to the practice of agroforestry in the area. Test of hypotheses showed that although there existed significant differences in the type of agroforestry practices among the farmers in the study area (X2 = 39.60; df = 33; Pr = 0.19), there was no significant variation in the perception of agroforestry among the farmers. It was also noted that there was significant enhancement in the soil fertility of the study area through the practice of agroforestry (X2 = 3.81; df = 4; Pt = 0.43): and that there existed significant relationship between agroforestry practices and productivity in the study area (X2= 209.74; df 48; Pr < 0.01). An implication of the findings is that agroforestry presents huge opportunities for food production and developing forestry practices in the study area.
Assessment of community based forest management practices in Benue State, Nigeria
(International Organization of Scientific Research, 2017-09) Dagba, B.I; Azeez, I. O; Ancha, P.U
Forests in Benue State are depleting due to anthropogenic activities. Community based forest management had been suggested by various researchers as being capable of stemming the rate of destruction of forests. This study was therefore carried out to assess the presence, mode and level of participation in community based forests practices in Benue State with a view to corroborate or dispute the veracity of the practice. Stratified multistage random sampling method was adopted to select 240 Household Heads who were later interviewed using 240 pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participatory Index analysis (PI) was employed to determine the extent of peoples’ involvement in various forestry practices. Likert scale rating was equally used to measure the factors motivating and inhibiting respondents’ participation in identified community forestry practices. Modal forestry practice identified was boundary planting (91.2%) with PI of 0.95, followed by home gardens (PI=0.93). Participation in physical execution of work (85.4%) was highest while only 15.8% of the respondents participated in decision making process. Most of the people who participated did so because the practices were relevant to their needs (WMS = 4.30>3.05) followed by the fact that they themselves were part of the planning process (WMS =3.90 > 3.05) while others said that level of literacy was not a hindrance to participation (WMS = 1.55 < 2.95). It was concluded that community based forest management practices existed in Benue State but participation in the practices was most in physical execution of work. It was recommended that people should be involved at the stage of planning, monitoring and evaluation to enhance better participation in Community Based Forest Management by the people.
An assessment of the forest regeneration potential of the taungya system of farming in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria
(NISC (Pty) Ltd and Taylor & Francis, 2017) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L
Balancing forest regeneration and meeting food and fibre needs of Nigeria’s ever-increasing population challenges is imperative to her sustainable development. Two methods of artificial forest regeneration practiced in Oyo State, Nigeria to meet these challenges are direct planting and taungya systems. This paper reports the performance of the taungya system of forest regeneration in Osho Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria with a view to harnessing information for informed and effective policy decision on sustainable forestry development. Four out of seven taungya centres within and around the reserve were purposively studied using questionnaire administration, oral interviews and direct field measurement. Direct field measurement was undertaken in 10 temporary sampling plots, each measuring 25 m × 25 m. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at P = 0.05. The taungya farmers in the study area were male and a majority (76.0%) had no formal education. More than half of the farmers (56.0%) had knowledge about taungya and silvicultural operations, while 82.0% of them had no other farm outside the taungya farm. The observed survival of trees planted on the farms was high. Significant variation was observed in the circumference at breast height (Cbh) of species under the direct planting and taungya systems with Gmelina arborea contributing to most of the variation and the differences in stand age. The survival percentage of tree species under taungya was higher (52.0% ha−1) than that under direct planting system (41.0% ha−1). The study identified lack of credit facilities, inadequate funding and ignorance of the advantage of tree crops on tropical farmland as well as inadequate technical support as the major constraints of the taungya system. The taungya system is effective for forest regeneration albeit taking care of farmers’ interest beyond the tree canopy closure age is recommended, if more trees are expected to survive.
Community participation and sustainable forest management in Edo State
(Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, 2011) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L; Ikponmwonba, S.O
Contributions of forests to human well-being can only be sustained if the forests are sustained and local communities living within and around forest reserves have been identified to be central to meaningful planning for sustainable management of forest reserves. Studies in this direction are expected to contribute to poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and sustainable wood production this study is directed at ascertaining haw participatory approach involving local communities and other stakeholders can be used for sustainable management of forest reserves in Edo State. Stratified random sampling technique with a minimum of 30% sampling intensity was used to select 296 rural dwellers in the settlements within and around Ehor, Okomu, and Sakpoba forest reserves in the study area. Information was obtained on demographic and social status of the respondents, importance of the reserves to livelihoods, impressions about management system, forest resource use and willingness to participate in JFM using structured questionnaire, Rapid Rural Appraisal and Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive and Chi-square test statistics at p = 0.05. None of the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents apart from religion (t = 2.39; P ≤ 0.02) in Okomu forest reserve significantly impacted their interest in forest conservation. However, ethnic background (t = 2.09), marital status (t = 2.22) and gender (t = -2.09) significantly (P ≤ 0.04) impacted interest in tree planting. Also, awareness of, and participation in local management activities were impacted by socio-economic status, most especially in Ehor and Okomu. Most of the respondents (85.14%) obtained produce from forest reserves , however, access to forest products was not significantly dependent on the income generating potential of the produce (X2= 9.35; df = 4). Some 14.43% of the respondents made an annual income of between N10,000:00 and N50, 000 while 57.5% of other stakeholders made between N1.5 and 3.5 million per annum. Conflict with forest officials is significantly (P ≤ 0.05) dependent on access to forest products (X2 = 70.44; df = 4) while perception of forest reserve law enforcement is not significantly dependent on access to forest produce. (X2 = 9.01; df = 4). Attitude of forest officials to forest law enforcement is a constraint to income generating activities in the study area. There exists no significant linear relationship between the willingness to participate in forest management and the identified socio-economic characteristics of rural dwellers in Okomu (F = 0.82), Sakpoba (F = 0.27) and Ehor (0.35) forest reserves. Also, apart from religion (t = 2.07) in Okomu forest reserve, none of the socio-economic attributes of rural dwellers had significant linear relationship with their opinion on JFM affecting livelihood (t = 2.07).
Conflicts of land tenure and tree tenure on land use and management among agro-based households in Nigeria
(2013) Azeez, I. O; Onyema, M.C
Tenure issues in natural resources management and control limit agricultural enterprise and effective land use. Conflicts arising from land tenure and tree tenure were examined in eight (8) communities across Northern and Southern Nigeria. The research included preliminary surveys, interviews and questionnaires to obtain relevant information on tenure conflict history, agricultural enterprises, resource user groups and rights exercised in land use and management. Root cause analysis was used to identify underlying and immediate causes of tenure conflicts. Furthermore, the intensity of conflict was analysed using resource devolution tool. Results obtained show informal procedural patterns of resource ownership and transfers as key underlying cause in land-tree tenure conflict in the Northern region while appreciation in the resource value was key underlying cause in the Southern region. The conflict situation affected different categories of resource users. In addition, to individualized agro-enterprises modifications among households, there are pluralized enterprise activities: a response to the conflict situation. In both regions, access, withdrawal and management rights had high intensity conflict cases involving mostly small scale farmers, land trustees, land tenants and land owners. Standardized property titling, strengthening of local/customary institutions in alternative dispute resolution and development of flexible tenure system to accommodate resource poor user groups especially in rural areas are salient policy issues that can stem resource conflict incidence.
Conflicts, politics and policies of multiple and competitive uses of the mangroves and wetlands resources
(2016-06) Azeez, I. O; Amusa, T.O
The livelihoods of coastal populations of sub-Saharan Africa depend heavily on access to mangroves and wetland resources. However, with high populations, rapid urban growth and a high dependency, pressures on mangroves and other wetland resources have continued to soar. Thus, there is concern that the long-term values of intact and functioning mangrove ecosystems are not being recognized in current policy decisions, where short-term gains resulting in loss of the ecosystem are being pursued at the expense of long-term sustainability. The connections between mangroves and livelihoods throughout Africa need to be strengthened at the policy level. The policy for multiple and competitive uses of mangroves and wetland resources need to be well developed on the African continent. This is especially true with regards to the potentials of mangroves and wetland resources for aquaculture and ecotourism. It is important to build awareness and political sensitization on mangroves and wetland issues for general development of the continent and its people. This would require strategic planning, followed by policy formulation and programme development. Sustainable multiple usages of mangroves and wetland resources is possible by taking an integrated approach based on solid biological, socio-economic and cultural information.
Content analysis of forestry information reported in the environmental columns of two Nigerian newspapers
(2016) Azeez, I. O; Adeniyi, T.E; Jimoh, S.O
Despite availability and functioning of several newspapers in Nigeria, little or no change was observed in people’s attitude towards forestry related issues with attendant decline in the country’s forest resources. This paper reports the content analyses of forestry information reported by two prominent and national newspapers in Nigeria with the view to determining the frequency, space allotted, prominence and content categories of forestry related information in the newspapers from June 2009 to May 2014. Purposive sampling technique was used to select Guardian newspaper and Nigeria Tribune for the study. Data were collected from the editions on the days these newspapers have slot for environmental columns and were analysed using descriptive such as percentage and frequency as well as chi-square inferential statistics at α0.005. It was found that 76.9% of the environmental articles identified by the study were reported by Guardian while Nigerian Tribune reported 30.1%. Also, only 9.0% of the reported forestry related news were on the centre pages while 31.3% took up 201 –300 cm2 spaces of the newspapers under study. Climate change issues linked with forestry (CCLF) was the modal news category (26.9%) reported in the pages of the dailies under study. Further, a significant relationship was established between the newspapers and the space allotted, but none was observed between newspapers and prominence of forestry information as well as between the newspapers and categories of forestry information reported. Training of forestry information editors and canvassing for more sponsor of forestry information in Nigeria newspaper therefore becomes apt.
Contributions of trade in shea-butter (vitellaria paradoxa) products to the rural economy in Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria
(Forestry Association of Nigeria, 2013) Azeez, I. O; Salami, R.O
Involvement of rural people in forest-based activities can support private sector entrepreneurial development especially in communities that are endowed with forest resources. Shea butter (Vitelleria paradoxa) is a Non Timber Forest Resource (NTFR) of wide occurrence in Saki town, southwestern Nigeria. A survey was conducted to assess the involvement of residents’ in shea butter business/enterprise and by extension, its contribution to the study area economy. Four (4) categories of practitioners in shea butter business were identified viz: retailers (20.2%), processors (20.3%), gatherers (20.4%) and middlemen (39.3%). Women involvement in the business was over 70% in each of the categories. Again, respondents of various age classes are engaged in the business and mostly had little or no formal education (over 50.0%). This is an indication that shea butter business in the area was based more on homegrown training. This has serious implication for product standards and by extension wider market acceptability. Profits derived from the business was in the range of N91, 333 and N409, 747 per annum, which acceptably can contribute meaningfully to household and national poverty reduction. Training of local populations especially processors in modern methods of resources improvement (raw materials), product value addition methods and marketing strategies will complement local and national economic development efforts particularly at the grassroots’ level.
Determinants of small-scale forestry practice preferences among landowners and land users in Imo State, Nigeria
(2015) Azeez, I. O; Onyema, M.C
Undertaking forestry practices on private land as a land use activities had been submitted to be mostly situational. There is a strong relationship between forestry and livelihood systems. This makes forestry practice a critical decimal in rural land use equation, most especially in tropical dry forest environment where soil nutrient is maintained by rich vegetation cover. But, in Southeastern Nigeria, the situations that can engender voluntary practice of forestry on private lands had not been thoroughly investigated. This paper therefore reports the findings of our investigation on such situation among land owners and users in Imo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 10% of the households across nine (9) randomly selected local communities in each of the three (3) geo-political districts of Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria. Using rapid rural appraisal technique, an estimated 5,091 households were documented across the selected nine communities out of which 509 were sampled. Data were collected with well-structured questionnaire, which formed the research instrument. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multi-nomial logit regression. Highest preference was expressed by the respondents for raising fruit trees (71.2%) and planting trees with arable crops (60.3%) while lowest preference was for raising woodlot (23.9%). Males showed likelihood for planting medicinal herbs/shrubs (Coeff = 0.897) while females had likelihood for raising woodlot (Coeff = -0.402) within household lands. Within nuclear households, there is tendency for more household preference for planting timber tree species (Coeff = 0.136). This may be adduced to planting of trees within arable cropland to expectedly increase with increase in farm size. The reverse is however the case with raising woodlots on farm land (Coeff = -0.494). The higher energy needs of extended family may be responsible for this. These situations are therefore recommended to be built into planning and policy formulation premise to improve forestry practice for sustainable rural and national development.
Factors affecting adoption behaviour of agroforestry practitioners in ATISBO local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria
(2007-01) Azeez, I. O; Jimoh, S.O; Amusa, T.O
The importance of trees and shrubs in fallows or in food crop production systems cannot be overstressed in view of the fragile nature of the tropical environment, increase in population density, rate of forest diminution and increasing land shortage. This has given rise to the technology of Agroforestry. Evolving technology to meet any need will be incomplete without taking cognizance of the end-users no matter how perfect. This study investigates the factors affecting adoption behaviour of agroforestry practitioners in Atisbo local Government Area of Oyo State, Using a purposive random technique, a total of one hundred and fifty questionnaires were administered to selected agroforestry farmers in the study area based on membership of Alisbo Farmers' Association of Nigeria (AFAN). Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and inferential test statistics. Results reveal variants of agroforestry system among the respondents. These include; the tree crop system (67.3%); Mixed home gardening (22.7%); Alley cropping (7.3%); Bush fallow (2.0%); and Taungya (0.7%). Farmers income level and extension contact were two variables that significantly associate with adoption of agroforestry technology (X2 7.651, 47. 680; P<0.05). There is also a positive and significant correlation between adoption and scale of farming, total farm size, socio status on land and type of agroforestry system. The financial implication of practicing agroforestry system is the most important determining factor affecting adoption and application.
Feasible media mix for dissemination of forest conservation support information (FCSI) in South Western Nigeria
(2006) Azeez, I. O
This paper reports tile potentials of media mix in use for agricultural information dissemination as applied to dissemination of information on forest conservation and sustainable land use practices in three southwestern states of Nigeria. It covered enclaves in Shasha and Oluwa forest reserves in Oshun and Ondo states respective, as well as settlements surrounding Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State. The media considered were traditional and electronic/print Primary data were sourced through administration of open-ended and structured questionnaires and use of focus group discussions (FGDs) and rapid rural appraisal (RRA) technique of 20% of the settlements in and around the study sites. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result showed that an average of 69.0% of the inhabitants had at least a functional radio set, while 6.5%, 5.6% and 1.2% had access to pamphlets, newspaper/magazine, and television sets respectively. In the case of traditional media, town criers, was mostly favoured (46%), while 6.0% and 37.1% of the inhabitants favoured the use of folklore, songs and festivals/religious gathering respectively is therefore no common medium accessed by all respondents ( F= 4.02; dfr = 2536; Pr. < 0.02) although, from inhabitants' perspectives, traditional and modern media messages are found to compliment each other (F= 23.6; dfr. = 253; Pr. < 0.01). In addition, the mix most favoured by inhabitants for sourcing information on sustainable land use in the study area was found to be community/religious leaders, and radio (34.9%). So also, the most appropriate media mix for the dissemination of forest conservation/sustainable land use practices in the study area is the Village/religious fora and radio (45.8%). Thus, public change institutions, which were found to be important to one-on-one information dissemination, must be beefed up to meet optimal performance standard. Also, other relevant media should be explored to meet the target audience requirements for accessing FCSI
Forest conservation support communication (FCSC) for community forest development in South Western Nigeria
(Forestry Association of Nigeria, 2003-10) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L
The paper reports the prospect of both the institutional structure and personnel capabilities of government agencies responsible for rural development at impacting Forest Conservation Support Communication (FCSC) on the inhabitants of three conservation areas - Old Oyo National Park and Oluwa and Shasha forest reserves in southwestern Nigeria. The study was carried out with the aid of' structured questionnaires administered on the agricultural extension and, forest personnel of the states under which the conservation areas fall. The study reveals that 51.9% of the extension personnel in southwestern Nigeria are holders of university degrees/higher diplomas and 32.6% of them had put in more than 15 years of cognate service. However, only.2.8% of them claim to be forest extension workers. Apart from Oyo State where each personnel was in contact with more than 100 Farmers/month, others make contact with between 20 and 100/month. The study also reveals that although the communication capabilities o f change agents were not in doubt, their knowledge of forestry as well as their agencies' capabilities were near-nil. It is therefore recommended that a separate unit for forestry extension need be created in each of the states under study.
Forest conservation support information dissemination in Southwestern Nigeria: issues and prospects in the multi-media approach
(Zenith Bookhouse, 2010) Azeez, I. O
Forest management and impact on the socioeconomic lives of forest enclave dwellers and adjoining communities in Edo State
(Zenith Bookhouse, 2010) Ikponmwonba, S. O; Azeez, I. O
Gender and choice of forestry as alternative career among science-based students in University of Ibadan, Nigeria
(Department of Teacher Education, University of Ibadan, 2008-06) Azeez, I. O
Forestry education is imperative to coping with new demands in management and has also been observed to have its advantages on Nigerian economy. However, years of neglect has left very huge gaps in producing the required number of graduates of the discipline. It is important to know that training females is important if forestry is to move forward. This study investigated the prospect of inculcating and improving gender consideration in student enrollment into the forestry profession. Using questionnaire survey research design a two-stage stratified random sampling technique was adopted for the study where the entire University of Ibadan community was stratified into faculties. About 30% of the faculties whose admission requirements met that of the Department of Forestry Resources Management (DFRM), University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and 10% of the students registered in each selected faculty were randomly selected for the study. Respondents were interviewed using two hundred and fifty sets of structured questionnaire. More than half of the respondents (52.9%) believe in the prosperous future of forestry profession but, 29.3% and 6.7% of them were of the opinion that Nigeria is not ready for the profession that a degree is not necessary to practice respectively. Gender was found to have limited impact on the respondent’s perception of forestry profession. However, their rating of the forestry profession (x2 = 9.03; df=3; Pr ≤ 0.03), its gender suitability (x2=39.44; df=1; Pr ≤ 0.01) and competitiveness in the labour market (x2=4.22; df=1; Pr ≤ 0.04) were all gender dependent. The study concluded that though partly impacting, gender suitability o snot the main limitation to forestry education development in Nigeria. the need for curriculum review of forestry programme and extension of the forestry profession were suggested.
Gender role in the management, consumption and utilization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) – a case study of Gambari Foerst Reserve, Oyo State
(Forestry Association of Nigeria, 1999) Azeez, I. O; Aiyedun, O. J
Presently in many countries of the world, rural women are still the caretakers and users of forests. They have a vital role in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable management. This paper investigated the role of gender in achieving sustainable management, conservation and utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) with emphasis on leaves, leafy vegetables, firewood, snails and medicinal plants. The study was carried out at Gambari Forest Reserve and Settlements surrounding the reserve viz Onigambari, Onipe, Olonde and Manu. Three sets of questionnaires were used for the study - one each for Extractors, Utilizers, and Forests management personnel. A total number of 180 questionnaires were administered to randomly selected respondents while 176 were returned. 41% of the questionnaires retuned were from utilizers, 29.4% from extractors while 27% were from the personnel involved in the management of the reserve. The study revealed that although management, conservation, utilization and collection o f NTFPs the reserve are not sex specific, a preferential treatment for men is obvious. This is more pronounced in the technical aspects of management, conservation and sustainable development planning.
Impact assessment of unified agricultural extension system on agroforestry development in Oyo State, Nigeria
(Department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2000) Azeez, I. O; Popoola, L; Adebisi, L.A
The study assessed the impact of the unified agricultural extension system (UAES) on the adoption of agroforestry (AF) technologies in Oyo state, Nigeria. Modified stratified multistage random sampling technique was used, employing two sets of open-ended and structured questionnaires as the study tool. Study populations were the farmers and extension agents (EAs) under Oyo State Agricultural Development program (OYSADEP). One Hundred and Twenty-Five (125) and Ninety (90) questionnaires respectively were administered on the Farmers and Extension Agents, randomly selected from thirty (30) percent of the total number of cells in each block under OYSADEP's administrative zones Descriptive and chi-square statistics were used to analyse the data generated. The analyses revealed that seventy (70) percent of the extension personnel interviewed who had spent between five and ten years in service knew little or nothing about agroforestry. Also, less than half of the respondents (47.8%) were introduced to farm forestry by OYSADEP extension agents Apart from this, more than ninety-six percent of the farmers were found to be male, with most of them (71.5%) having only primary school education. Chi-square statistics at 0.01 probability level showed that tree husbandry is not strange to farmers and that farm forestry farmers were convinced on the importance of frees on farms. The analyses further revealed that OYSADEP extension agents were not providing incentives to encourage private participation in agroforestry practice; that OYSADEP extension personnel had no formal training in forestry and that OYSADEP was not favorably disposed to agroforestry extension. All these showed that rural farmers were aware of the importance of trees on farm, although not through OYSADEP extension network.
Indices of local community participation in forest management in South western Nigeria
(2013-07) Azeez, I. O; Fayenuwo, G.A; Popoola, L
Community Forestry (CF), a forest management initiative could help solve conflicting barriers to sustainable forest management. This paper reports the factors that will likely promote CF in southwestern Nigeria. Study sites were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. Lagos State was purposively selected for the study based on its megalopolitan nature in addition to Osun, Ondo and Ogun states, which were randomly selected. Twenty percent (20%) of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the selected states were randomly sampled. Information was collected on demographic bio-data, socio-economic variables and participatory forest management indices from the local inhabitants in the sampled LGAs using structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics of the ratio scale model. Results revealed that respondents’ distribution was skewed towards the Yoruba ethnic group (92.9%); male gender (80.5%), one to five person household size (56.1%), married (87.5%) and illiterate (26.7%) population. Respondents were also mostly farmers (47.9%) associating more with cooperatives (45.0%) and with modal monthly income of between N10,000:00 and N15,000:00. Awareness about CF among the respondents was very low (23.8%) despite majority’s (70.8%) dependent on forest resources. Out of the fifteen indices of participation in community forest management (ranging from awareness of forestry project to contribution of human resource to maintenance of project) tested using the ratio scale model, awareness about forest project was the most important index of participation with mean People Participating Index (PPI) of 85. However, based on all indices of participation, Ondo state ranked highest with a PPI of 57.1% and Lagos ranked lowest (43.6%) in community participation in forest management. The study recommends more efforts at encouraging improvement in the indices of participation in forest management projects in the study area.
Indigenous information as tool for consolidating and promoting natural resources conservation in Igbo-speaking communities of Southeast Nigeria
(Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, 2016) Onyema, M. C; Azeez, I. O; Edet, D. I; Osuagwu, N. C.
Prior to modernization, indigenous peoples had strong mechanisms for communicating, regulating and managing natural resources endowments for their survival and development. Modern knowledge and information management systems have not sufficiently improved conservation and natural resource development especially among rural folks. This study was conducted in Igbo-speaking rural communities of Obowo LGA of Imo State in SE Nigeria to elicit information on conventional and indigenous information dissemination and exchange methods on natural resource conservation with the view to identifying the impacts of indigenous information methods on resource conservation. Data obtained from in-depth Interview (IDIs) sessions with key stakeholders within the locality revealed the availability of medicinal plants, arable lands and rivers/streams occurring in relatively high abundance as attested to by 71.0%, 56.0% and 48.0% of the respondents, respectively. Also, rural people access information about natural resources and environment through a variety of media/platforms (both formal and indigenous). Fractional ranking showed that the top five (5) indigenous information media were oral tradition (1.5), local authority leadership structure (1.5), village assembly (2), story-telling (4) and individual enquiry (5.5). Local authority structure among other indigenous information media manifested the highest positive influence (31.3%) on conservation/consolidation of identified resource. Specifically, local authority was the source of information rivers/streams (63.2%) and arable lands (56.0%) conservation. It is therefore imperative for governments and international agencies to see information media mix especially through recognizable local institutional channels (local authorities) as veritable instruments for sustaining and promoting sustainable development especially of natural resources at different community, national and global levels.