In a bold step towards environmental restoration, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, in partnership with the Edo State Government, IDH, and local communities, has unveiled plans to plant over 33,000 young forest trees in the Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The forest regeneration programme, announced in a statement by the oil firm on Wednesday, is designed to revive depleted forests, safeguard biodiversity, and strengthen livelihoods in affected communities.

According to the plan, the initiative will be executed in phases. The first phase targets the planting of 3,000 forest trees in communities such as Gbole-Uba, Paul Camp, Magdalene Camp, Osayamwen, and Bisi Camp.

At an interactive session with stakeholders, the Director of Plantation, Edo State Forestry Commission, Mr Akpele Maxwell, explained that the project is anchored on the state government’s commitment to protecting the ecosystem.

Maxwell emphasised that the regeneration drive would not only restore degraded forests but also improve the livelihoods of participating communities. He added that farmers would be allowed to continue cultivating their crops alongside the planted trees, assuring them that their farmlands would not be destroyed in the process.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ogwu Abraham, Senior Programme Manager of IDH, an international non-profit organisation, described the project as part of the organisation’s mission to enhance sustainable agriculture and community welfare.

“IDH is committed to supporting communities, especially oil palm farmers, while also driving forest regeneration. This partnership with Okomu Oil Palm Company and the Edo State Government is a crucial step towards building resilience in the Okomu landscape,” Abraham said.

The Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, represented by the firm’s smallholder coordinator, Mr Billy Ghansah, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to forest conservation. Ghansah revealed that Okomu had deliberately set aside about 3,000 hectares of its concession as high conservation value areas, which are monitored and protected by dedicated officers.

However, he acknowledged challenges such as illegal logging and encroachment in some of the forest areas. He expressed optimism that the new regeneration roadmap would encourage broader collaboration among government, communities, and private stakeholders to protect both state-owned and company-owned forest reserves.

Representatives from beneficiary communities—including Alex Sese (Gbole-Uba), Dada Magdalene (Magdalene Camp), Edomie Precious (Paul Camp), and John Aghayere (Osayamwen)—hailed the programme as timely and transformative.

They commended the assurances given by the state government that their crops would not be destroyed, and instead, would coexist with the new forest trees. The community members pledged their commitment to supporting the programme, stressing that its success depended on the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.

“We believe this initiative will make Edo State a reference point for forest regeneration in Nigeria if all parties keep their promises,” one of the representatives remarked.

At the close of the interactive session, all stakeholders unanimously agreed to kick-start the regeneration project with the initial planting of 3,000 trees across the selected communities. The trees will be owned and maintained by the communities themselves, ensuring sustainability and long-term benefits.

Environmental experts believe that if properly implemented, the regeneration project could serve as a model for other states grappling with deforestation and land degradation.

With Edo State, Okomu Oil Palm Company, IDH, and local communities jointly committed to the initiative, hopes are high that the programme will restore ecological balance, promote sustainable farming, and empower rural populations.

As the project gets underway, it signals a growing recognition of the need for public-private-community partnerships in addressing Nigeria’s deforestation crisis and building a greener, more resilient future.