By Ebuka Obidinma
The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi says the National Park Service has taken its rightful position in the comity of conservation enclaves across the globe and has successfully written its name in gold in the international arena.
Abdullahi said this at the presentation of the international awards won by the National Park Service to the minister by the Conservator General (CG) Dr Ibrahim Goni on Tuesday in Abuja.
“These Awards are certainly testimonies of your hard work and unrelenting commitment to achieving the core objectives for which the National Park Service is set up.
“While I urge the Conservator General to continue to strive to take the National Park Service to greater heights, I wish to inform the gathering that I am not oblivious of the requirements of the Service as highlighted in the Conservator General’s brief.
“I would like to seize this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Ministry to enhancing the welfare of our Park Rangers in an attempt to spur them to do more in preserving, protecting and conserving our critical ecosystems and making our environment a better place for all to live in.
The Minister also used the occasion to call on public-spirited individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the Service by donating projects and programmes that will foster conservation and ecotourism in all the National Parks across the country.
He, therefore, commended and congratulated the Conservator General, officers and men of the Service for the great feat.
The CG while speaking with Journalists after the presentation said the awards would only spur the men and officers of the service to put in their best in the interest of the Nation.
“The awards today are as a result of the hard work and commitment of the men and officers of the Service, and also the collaboration of all stakeholders who have keyed into the conservation of our natural resources.
“We are working towards obtaining and maintaining international best practices and therefore making our parks safe havens for tourism.
“Our doors are open for collaboration with critical stakeholders, who would work with us in ensuring that we take our share in the comity of tourism”, he added.
Goni said that the Service won three international Conservation Awards between 2018 and 2022, and the awards are as follows:
“Second runner-up out of the 80 nominations across Africa for the ‘African Ranger Award under the category “best Conservation Team in Africa”. The Award was organized by the Game Ranger Association of Africa (GRAA) at the event of the 2nd African Ranger Congress (ARC) held in Kwalape Safari Lodge, Kasane, Botswana from 14th to 18th September, 2022.
“First runner-up in the marathon contest “Wildlife Ranger Challenge” in 2021. The contest involved 88 teams from 20 African countries in a 21km marathon race. The Award was a collaborative initiative of the Tusk & Natural State and Scheinberg Relief Fund. The Award attracted a cash prize of two thousand pounds (£2,000).
The Service also won the Paradise Award in 2018. The Award attracted a cash prize of three thousand US Dollars ($3,000).
Goni thanked the Minister for his unflinching support and asked for his further support to the Service in the areas of Patrol Vehicles, Field Equipment (Cybertrackers, SMART, Camera Traps, Binoculars, GPS, etc.), Alternative livelihood options for the Support Zone Communities, Training and Additional staff (manpower).
