By Felix Shammah/Hillary Asemota
The Conservator General (CG), National Park Service (NPS), Dr. Ibrahim Goni, on Wednesday, said the Service’s Reports on breathing life to Park Service for national development is at advanced stage, even as he hinted taht the Report is awaiting the Federal Ministry of Environment’s approval to replace exotic trees with indigenous tree species and enhancement of Osun State tourism potential for national development.
Addressing traditional rulers at the NPS Headquarters in Abuja, who paid him a courtesy visit from Communities hosting the Oba Hills National Park in Osun State, he said the development is in tandem with the National Park Act.
The Conservator General, said restoration of the indigenous species has therefore commenced, adding that sustainable use of non-timber forest products like bush mango will be encouraged under the plans.
The CG harped on the need to strengthen park-community relations and the upgrade of the forest reserve to a national park for Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
Goni, however acknowledged that land management is a sensitive aspect of our national life that must be carefully dealt with on a win-win basis to avoid any form of conflict in our communities.
He applauded the Governor of Osun State, Mr. Ademola Adeleke, and former President Muhammadu Buhari, who laid the pipe for the takeover of the reserve in 2020.
While underscoring the benefits of parks, he acknowledged that the local communities will be empowered through direct and indirect jobs, the mitigating impact of forest against climate change vulnerabilities, erosion and pollution control, de-carbonisation process and improved rainfall
The CG added that employment within the Service must reflect federal character, appealing to the communities to manage whatever quota is given in the spirit of sacrifice for the overall development of Nigeria.
Goni, stated that NPS is taking cognizance of UN guidelines to put in structures such as rangers’ barracks will be sited at entry points on the park boundary to address ecological damage.
He urged the traditional rulers to encourage communities to allow wildlife to multiply for tourism.
On food security, he assured that smart agriculture and agroforestry planting yam, cassava, maize and groundnut under trees without felling them would be introduced to ensure farming continues.
In a joint address presented by the Secretary of Oba Hills Traditional Council, Mr. Shedrack Adelakun, the traditional rulers said the visit was more than a courtesy call, but a reaffirmation of commitment to peaceful coexistence and sustainable conservation.
The traditional rulers commended the Federal Government for upgrading Oba Hills, describing it as a new chapter to safeguard natural heritage, with prospects for wildlife protection, ecological restoration, research, nature-based tourism, employment and livelihood initiatives.
The council lauded the ongoing restoration programme involving the planting of 11,000 indigenous seedlings, with contributions from FRIN, IHS Towers and Polaris Bank facilitated through the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, as well as the professionalism of the Acting Conservator of Park, DCP Olakunle Azeez and his team.
They stressed that restoration is about recovering lost vegetation, protecting soil and water, creating wildlife habitats and building climate resilience, and called for attention to seedling survival, fire and grazing protection and long-term monitoring.
The traditional rulers respectfully tabled seven requests, including regular stakeholder engagement, fair consideration for employment, training and restoration jobs with 70 percent slot for host communities, transparent boundary demarcation to address mining interests around Akinleye Town, budgeting for traditional rulers, prioritisation of physical development of host communities, continuous farming to sustain new seedlings, and urgent feedback on modalities for destroying exotic trees.
In his remarks, the Olu of Akinleye town, Oba Nafiu Taofeek, said the visit had given the people rest of mind, recalling initial fears that upgrading to a national park would displace farmers and stop entry into the forest.
According to the traditional ruler, enlightenment and sensitization by park officials calmed the people, but appealed for urgent employment for jobless graduates who had resorted to farming and might otherwise engage in crime.
He described the Acting Conservator as a man of God, urged that offices be built near villages for joint monitoring, and pledged full support of all kings for conservation while seeking federal assistance.
In his remarks, the Acting Conservator of Park, Oba Hills National Park, Mr. Olakunle Azeez, thanked the CG for granting express approval for the visit