Expert Launches Campaign To Protect Niger Delta Forest, Wildlife

An award-winning innovator and entrepreneur, Robert Azibola, has kicked off campaign in Bayelsa State against the destruction of rainforests and wildlife in the Niger Delta.

He said indiscriminate logging and hunting activities are pushing animal and plant species to extinction.

Azibola, who is a legal practitioner and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineering (NSE) due to his various innovations, during a bonfire tagged “Bonfire Night With Azibaola Robert” in Otakeme community in Ogbia local government area of the state with traditional rulers, farmers, youth activists, media practitioners and indigenes, called on communities to take ownership of the task of putting an end to mindless wood logging and depletion of pristine natural forests resources for economic gain of few people.

Azibola, while addressing the community leaders and other stakeholders in Bayelsa, pointed out that the campaign for the preservation of the Niger Delta rain forests and its diverse wildlife in the region is a follow up to his expedition into the deep forest last year, insisting that it is his humble contribution to the international efforts against climate change.

Speaking on the rationale behind the event, the activist who also doubles as the chairman of Zeetin Engineering Nigeria limited, expressed worry over the deplorable condition of the Niger Delta environment and cautioned against the high spate of indiscriminate logging and wildlife hunting, saying if not curtailed, it could spiral into total extinction of trees, fishes and animals species habituating the region’s rainforests.

He decried the indiscriminate logging, wildlife hunting by natives and non-natives of the region and uncontrolled environment pollution caused by activities of multinational companies, which are threatening the region’s flora and fauna.