Comrade Nguveren Faith Shirsha, President of the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA), Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) Chapter, together with other IFSA chapter presidents across Nigeria recently represented Nigeria at the Northern Africa Regional Meeting (NARM2025) held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, from June 30th to July 4th.
The NARM conference, organized under the global umbrella of IFSA, brought together forestry students, researchers, professionals, and environmental advocates from across the African region. With participants from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Morocco, the event focused on collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation in forest and environmental conservation.
“As a globally organized and locally operating student body, IFSA connects forestry students to one another, to forest-related organizations, and to policy platforms,” said Comr. Shirsha. “With 14 registered local chapters in Nigeria alone, our mission is to connect, empower, and educate the next generation of environmental leaders.”
During the five-day conference, Comr. Shirsha actively participated in expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and networking events. She engaged with professionals and fellow students on crucial topics such as climate change, deforestation, and sustainable forestry practices. One of the key takeaways for her was the urgent need to educate communities—especially the youth—about environmental stewardship.
“Before attending this conference, climate change wasn’t even on my radar,” she shared. “It was never really talked about in my community, and many of our parents still don’t understand the damage caused by human activity. Now, I feel a responsibility to act—and to help others understand, too.”
Beyond the conference halls, Comr. Shirsha explored the cultural richness of Ghana. Her visit to the Manhyia Palace Museum and Cape Coast Castle deepened her understanding of the region’s history, while a canopy walk at Kakum National Park reminded her of the value of overcoming personal fears and connecting with nature.
Motivated by her experiences, Comr. Shirsha announced plans to launch a climate-focused club at JOSTUM. The club will engage children and young adults through tree-planting drives, environmental film screenings, and educational workshops aimed at fostering climate awareness and sustainable habits.
“My goal is to inspire a new generation to do better than ours. Climate change isn’t waiting, deforestation isn’t slowing down. The world needs foresters to act—now more than ever,” she stated.
Her journey to Ghana underscores the importance of youth leadership in tackling global environmental challenges and reaffirms IFSA’s commitment to equipping future forestry professionals with the tools and network to make a difference.
About IFSA: The International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) is the world’s largest network of forestry students, with active chapters across the globe. Through events like NARM, IFSA fosters global cooperation, leadership, and education in the field of forestry and environmental conservation.
