Assignment on FWL 303.1: Forest Ecology

Describe the following symbiotic relationships giving at least one example for each. Limit your examples to the forest ecosystem.

i. Mutualism ii.Commensalism iii. Parasitism.

Professor J.A. Akande - an outstanding Nigerian Wood Scientist, unveils his contributions to knowledge!

Professor J.A. Akande of the Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria presents his Inaugural Lecture titled The Bastion of Green Advocacy: Our forests, Our Welfare on Thursday 22nd March, 2012.The Venue of the lecture is New Lecture Theatre, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria, and the time is 1 P.M. Endeavour to be there!

Professor Akande's Profile

Prof. J.A. Akande is a Professor of Environmental Technology and Forestry, a consultant Environmentalist and Forest Industry Expert. He is the Head of the Department of Crop Production, Soil and Environmental Management of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria.

He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree (Second Class: Upper Division) from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1978. He equally bagged his Master of Science degree in Wood Products Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental and Resource Engineering, from the State University of New York, Syracuse, USA, in 1982 and 1988 respectively. The versatile Professor also parades many other certificates in such areas like project management, implementation and control; finance for non-financial managers; timber grading; computer applications; forest products marketing and rural development; and environmental dialogue and public policy.

Professor Akande’s work experience spans across several institutions, states, countries and continents. He was a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the State University of New York, Syracuse, USA (1985 – 1987) and a visiting Assistant Instructor to the same University (1987 – 1988). Before his present job at the Bowen University, Professor Akande was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria (March 1994 to February, 1996), where he taught courses in Forest Products and Wood Industry Development. He equally taught at the Centre for Technology and Policy, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. Professor Akande was a Visiting Professor and Head of the Department of Forestry (on Sabbatical Leave) at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Lae, Morobo Province, Papua New Guinea, from July 2009 to June 2010.

The erudite scholar has won several prizes, scholarships and fellowships in the course of his career. These include: Federal Government of Nigeria Post- Graduate Scholarship Award for his Master’s Degree in Wood Products Engineering (1980 – 1982); Federal Government of Nigeria Post- Graduate Scholarship Award for Doctoral Degree in Environmental & Resource Engineering (1985 – 1986); West Virginia University Faculty Research Award (1989); United States Development Agency (USDA) Forest Products Research Grant (US$100,000) (1990); Appreciation Award for Distinguished Service, College of Engineering and Architecture, Washington State University, Pullman, U.S.A. (1990); World Bank Fellowship to NIRD, India (1992); Science and Technology Agency of Japan Fellowship (1996); African Forestry Research Network Fellowship (2 times recipient)(2003); and Advance Leadership Seminar Fellowship to Haggai Institute, Singapore (2006).

Professor Akande is a seasoned university lecturer and administrator. He has served in several committees at various capacities especially at Bowen University and the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. These include: Ag. Dean, Student Affairs, Bowen University (August 2003 to NOV. 2006); Managing Editor, Bowen Journal of Agriculture (March 2004 to-date); Chairman, Faculty of Agriculture Research and Development Committee (October 2003 – October 2004); Chairman, Agric. Publications Committee, Bowen University (January 2003 to October 2004); Ag. Head of Department, Forestry and Wood Technology, Bowen University (August 2002 to December 2004); Member of University Council, Congregation Representative, Bowen University (January 2003 to-date); Director (Managing), Centre for Resource and Environmental Management (January 1996 to June 2002); University Senate Representative of the College of Environmental Resources Management, UNAAB, Abeokuta (1995), Member, Examination Committee of the University of Agriculture Abeokuta (1994/95); among others.

Professor Akande is listed in MCQUIS WHOsWHO in the WORLD (Year 2000 to-date). He belongs to several reputable professional and learned bodies including New York Academy of Sciences, Science and Technology Agency of Japan, Society of Wood Science and Technology, Forest Products Research Society, and International Society of Tropical Foresters (1990 to-date). He has served as External Examiner for higher degrees in University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria, and Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. He has several publications in reputable local and international journals to his credit.
Source: Chima, U.D. (2012). Career Prospects in Forestry and Wildlife Management. Emhai Publishing Company, Port Harcourt, 255pp. ISBN: 978 – 33527 – 09 – 2