I never anticipated the response we got from our friend that day. All buddies; we had all chatted heartily at the prospect the future held. It was our last day together as students seeking a university degree. I think it was Tunji who asked – ‘When you start earning money, what would you do most with your cash’, he thereafter unconsciously stuck out his wet tongue rubbing it on his lower and upper lips. He told us his would be to buy a nice car and enjoy life. I can’t recollect what the 2 other people with us said but we all still remember Jimmy’s comment. It stunned us all. He took his gaze off the book that was sharing his attention with us. ‘I will buy food. I will eat. I will eat good food. You guys don’t know how important food is. I can’t imagine the world without food’, he went on to expatiate on how much he goes after knowing watering holes and good market in every community he has had cause to live in. Indeed, we had always known his room, 234, Block 8, Awolowo Hall was the place to go when we get hungry suddenly. What we did not know was that the dude really loved food and all activities related to it!
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| ... from the forest. |
Of course, he got me thinking afterwards. Food. Food. Food. What would happen if the world had no food? Basic biology knowledge helped me understand the role of plants as the primary producers and without it no other animal in the ecosystem, including man can exist. Rene Redzepi picks his best from the forest. He should know better. He’s the world’s best cook.1 Covering one third of the earth’s land portion, the forest like Olivier Langrand of Conservation International says- the forest is not a mere group of trees. It’s amazing the quantity of food the forest gets to produce every season here in Nigeria. The nuts are delicious. The bush meats are a delicacy. The fruits are nutritional. The list is endless. The flow chart of links between forestry and household food security is remarkable.2
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| Perhaps, my fondest memory of Cameroun! |
The best traditional and medicinal diets are from the forest. The crunchy mushrooms, the leafy vegetables are foods the forest throws at our feet. The United Nations Environmental Programme3 and Treehuggers 4 must continue to help people keep my friend’s attitude and beyond. If we value food then we should value the forest that gives it to us. De-reservation of forest reserves, petroleum exploitation and spillages, poor enlightment should be met head-on. Every environmental activist should know that the most important aspect of environmental advocacy is that part that ensures that the forest remains alive and the vegetation retains its greenery, else we have a bunch of hungry activist! Ouch. The forest has always had the capacity to provide food for man. Leonardo da Vinci, one of my favourites has always been right – Nature never breaks her own law! I’m typing this with two mango fruits on my table; a silent testament to the ability of the forest despite the poor care for it. If the world still craves for food security then forestry must be fully integrated with food, livestock and fish production.5 Jimmy? He still loves food. I hear about 40% of his income is spent of buying food!