The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to promote wildlife in major airports across Nigeria.
This initiative aims to preserve and showcase the country’s rich natural heritage, a significant move under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, who launched the inter-ministerial committee in Abuja, emphasised the importance of integrating Nigeria’s iconic landscapes into major public spaces.
“Nigeria is home to diverse and unique wildlife, hence the initiative is intended to safeguard her biodiversity and boost the famed tourism resources to the benefit of national pride and improved revenue generation for national development,” Salako stated.
The Minister also expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Wild Africa Fund (WAF) for their collaboration and urged the committee to work diligently towards promoting Nigeria’s beauty through wildlife displays in airports.
The committee chairman and Conservator General of National Parks Service, Dr. Ibrahim Goni, appreciated the Minister’s vision.
He noted that promoting National Parks at airports will significantly aid ecotourism development and benefit other sectors of the economy.
“This initiative comes at a crucial time when our rich biodiversity faces many threats,” Goni said.
Supporting the initiative, Linus Unah, the West Africa Lead for Wild Africa Fund, highlighted the importance of giving Nigeria’s acclaimed wildlife and landscapes prominence in airports, as is common in other parts of the world.
In a related development, Dr. Goni emphasised the critical role of zoos and conservatories in biodiversity conservation in Nigeria during the commissioning ceremony of the Zoo and Conservatory at the Federal University Lokoja.
He pointed out that these facilities serve as living laboratories of natural history, promoting a deeper understanding of the natural world.
“They provide safe habitats for endangered species and promote their survival and potential reintroduction into the wild,” Goni said.
He added that these projects would raise awareness about biodiversity conservation, enhance ecotourism, and facilitate wildlife research.
Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, expressed gratitude for the support of eminent conservationists, traditional rulers, and the university community.
He appealed for continued support from nature enthusiasts and the government to make the university’s Zoo and Conservatory a centre of excellence in biodiversity conservation.
The Maigari of Lokoja, Ibrahim Gambo Kabir, also thanked the authorities for establishing these projects at the university.
He pledged his continuous support and that of the local communities to ensure the success of the initiatives.
