National Park Service Reaffirms Dedication to Wildlife Conservation for Sustainable Environment
The National Park Service (NPS) has recently affirmed its steadfast dedication to wildlife conservation in Nigeria, aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the environment. Dr. Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General (C-G) of NPS, conveyed this commitment during the presentation of the service’s 2023 scorecard on December 22, 2023, in Abuja.
Dr. Goni underscored the National Park Service’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s national parks, advancing wildlife conservation, and ensuring environmental sustainability. He emphasized that the primary policy focus of the NPS is to provide security, manage, and regulate the use of the diverse natural resources within the national parks across the country. Additionally, he highlighted that globally, national parks are managed by the highest legal authority for national and regional security and well-being, a principle upheld by Nigeria.
In the effort to combat wildlife trafficking, the NPS has collaborated with relevant stakeholders and actively participated in the seizure of live animals. For example, the Nigerian Customs Service recently confiscated 81 parrots and other bird species along with galagos (bush babies), which were handed over to the National Park Service for rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild.
Furthermore, the NPS has partnered with the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime to develop a policy document aimed at combating wildlife and forest crime in Nigeria. Dr. Goni emphasized the critical role of national parks in various sectors such as medicine, research, education, agriculture, and tourism, and highlighted their contribution to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals seven and thirteen.
Currently, the National Park Service manages seven national parks spread across different ecological and geopolitical zones in Nigeria, with plans to establish ten new national parks as approved by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari. These existing and proposed parks aim to preserve and protect the country’s rich biodiversity, including endangered species and vital ecosystems.
Dr. Goni stated that the National Assembly has concurred with the establishment of the ten new National Parks, which have recently been gazetted by the Federal Ministry of Justice. He assured that these parks would soon be operational and contribute significantly to wildlife conservation efforts.
In an effort to uphold the law and ensure the protection of national parks, a total of 646 arrests were made within the period under review, targeting activities such as hunting, grazing, logging, and other detrimental practices across various national parks. The NPS also reported successful operations in arresting suspects involved in banditry and mining incidents, with the rescue of victims and recovery of valuable items.
Moreover, the National Park Service has generated a total revenue of N83.2 million from various sources, enabling the implementation of capital projects focused on improving park infrastructure, equipment, and facilities. These projects include the construction and furnishing of Rangers Barracks, renovation of Head Offices, procurement of patrol equipment, and provision of solar power plants.
Dr. Goni also highlighted the NPS’s commitment to personnel development through the prioritization of training, conferences, and workshops. A total of 260 training events were conducted during the specified period, demonstrating the service’s dedication to capacity building and skill enhancement for its personnel.
In conclusion, the National Park Service’s continual efforts towards wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability underscore its pivotal role in preserving Nigeria’s natural heritage and promoting a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
