Nigerian Governments, public and private sector organisations as well as the general public have been urged take more impactful actions towards the conservation and protection of the country’s ecosystems especially the forest reserves.
The nation’s foremost environmental Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, made the call at its 2023 Annual Green Ball in Lagos, to rally supports for the conservation and protection of the country’s remaining mangrove ecosystems.
NCF particularly commended federal Government and Lagos State for their consistent support in championing environmental sustainability efforts, but enjoined them to do more considering the magnitude of work to be done.
Founded in 1980 by the Late Chief S. L. Edu and registered as a charitable trust in 1982, NCF is dedicated to nature Conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The Annual Green Ball with the theme, ” Partnership for Conservation and Restoration of Mangroves” was a platform for the foundation to appreciate partners for their contributions to safeguarding the nation’s environment and also, like Oliver twist ask them to keep up the good work.
In his address, the Chairman, National Executive Council of the NGO, Senator Ede Dafinone highlighted that the worsening impacts of global warming, sea level rise and other effects of climate Change,has made conservation efforts more challenging and financially demanding, hence the need for more people and institutions to get involved in nature Conservation.
He said “When NCF started 41 years ago, the visioners of NCF were looked at as being a little unusual or even weird.
Talk of climate change, talk of sea level rising was seen as a scaremongering.
But in the year 2023, there is significant evidence of global warming. There’s significant evidence of sea level rising.
And what that tells you is that the awareness that the NCF, among other NGOs, worldwide bring to the table will eventually get through to everybody. So at NCF, we also target children, so as we build in the awareness early. We target also government agencies”.
Senator Dafinone who acknowledged the outstanding contributions of Lagos State Government to the development of the Lekki Conservation Centre , extended invitation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to tour the facility and see how to give it a face lift.
According to the NCF NEC chairman, the center needs urgent upgrade to properly secure the wild animals especially monkeys, and prevent them from escaping into neighbourhoods.
He further appealed to Lagos State Government to control Indiscriminate building in the state to safeguard natural resources.
According to him, “His Excellency, something needs to be done. The action is urgently required.
“The contributions from Lagos State to NCF go back a lot of years. And while we’re asking for donations, it’s also good we appreciate Lagos State.
Because Lagos State was a fundamental partner in developing our park behind the resort at LCC.
“The park gives an opportunity for Lagosians to visit and see nature.
And also the canopy walkway, which is the longest in Africa, is a sightseeing event on the map of Nigeria today.
So we thank Lagos State for that. But we also ask for more.
“Our fence bordering the outskirts of LCC is collapsing in many places.
And at some points it is so low that animals are actually escaping into the neighboring residential areas.
“Because of the construction around LCC, the water is now sinking into the reserve. And causing the collapse of a lot of the natural environment in terms of the trees in the environment.
“So we need help also with the drainage. I’d like to extend, while I’m still standing, an invitation to you and his Excellency to visit LCC”, added Dafinone.
He said states and federal governments should always do the right thing in terms of protecting and preserving the environment.
To the masses , Senator Dafinone admonished all to be friendly with nature and desist from activities that degrade the ecosystem.
He underscored the unique role of Mangroves in protecting lives and livelihoods against natural disasters, calling on all to partner the foundation to sustainably conserve the important ecosystems.
The Director General of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja , while presentating a paper on the theme of the event, described the mangroves as unique and most diverse, but vulnerable ecosystems in the world which are homes for multiplicity of local wildlife ranging from marine life, invertebrates, sea turtle and birds.
According to Dr. Onoja, mangrove forests occupy important ecological niche at the transition between land and sea communities, where they serve as defense and physical basin to cushion the impacts of storm surges, tidal waves, erosion, tsunami, rising sea level and other extreme weather conditions.
There was call for pledge when Organisations and individuals alike made financial commitments in support of nature Conservation and protection.
Among the long list of dignitaries at the event were the Lagos State Governor, represented by his SA, Hon. Rotimi Akodu; President NCF Board of Trustees, Chief Philip Asiodu with his wife; Justice R.I.B Adebiyi, Trustee and
Dame Marie Fatayi-Williams, Chaiperson BDC Committee.