By Fatima Muraina

The Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has reiterated its commitment to verifying lands allocated to investors for economic and indigenous tree planting to safeguard the state’s forest reserves.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chief Olusegun Odusanya, disclosed this while receiving the executive members of the Tree Planters Association in his office in Akure.

A statement issued by the Ministry’s Head of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr Sola Omoboyowa, noted that the verification exercise aims to ensure compliance with the stipulated terms of engagement, which strictly focus on afforestation.

Chief Odusanya warned that the government would not condone any misuse of allocated lands, stressing that investors must strictly adhere to tree planting agreements.

He also sought the association’s cooperation in forest regeneration efforts, expressing appreciation for their donation of customised caps in commemoration of World Forest Day on March 21, 2025.

In his response, the State Chairman of the Tree Planters Association, Mr Bello Adeola Mufu, commended the Permanent Secretary for his reception, assuring that the association would remain committed to initiatives that promote forest conservation.

He reaffirmed their readiness to actively participate in this year’s World Forest Day celebration and support the government’s afforestation drive.