By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria’s former Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, has been appointed the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Foundation.
This follows her appointment, alongside Professor Lee White, to the Board.
Ikeazor and White, described as distinguished conservationists, who have both contributed significantly to elephant conservation through their roles on the EPI’s Leadership Council, are expected to bring valuable expertise to the Foundation.
Sharon Ikeazor has been recognized for her advocacy for the environment both in Nigeria and internationally, while Professor Lee White is renowned for his conservation efforts in Gabon and his tireless promotion of nature conservation across Africa.
EPI Foundation CEO John Scanlon expressed enthusiasm about the new appointments, stating, “Sharon Ikeazor is a dedicated and effective advocate for the environment, both in Nigeria and globally, while Lee White has been a renowned conservationist in Gabon and a steadfast proponent of nature conservation in Africa.
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“Their leadership will help solidify the EPI Foundation’s role as a leader in elephant conservation.”
The EPI Foundation is the secretariat for the Elephant Protection Initiative, a coalition of 26 African countries focused on elephant conservation.
The initiative, established in 2014 by the leaders of Botswana, Chad, Ethiopia, Gabon, and Tanzania, now includes most of Africa’s remaining elephant populations.
Ikeazor, in her new role as Chair, stressed the importance of balancing elephant conservation with the welfare of local communities.
“I am determined that Africa should save its elephants, but we must also ensure a better future for the people who live near them,” she said.
Professor White added that the EPI’s success in preserving the international ivory trade ban and closing ivory markets over the past decade should be built upon, with a focus on mitigating the growing human-elephant conflict as both species compete for land and resources.
