By Faridat Salifu
Speaking during the presentation of the 2023 scorecard of the service in Abuja, Dr. Goni the Conservator-General of the National Park Service (NPS) emphasized the NPS’s mandate to protect the country’s national parks, conserve wildlife, and promote environmental sustainability.
He reassured the public of the Service’s unwavering dedication to wildlife conservation in Nigeria, with a focus on ensuring environmental sustainability.
Highlighting the NPS’s policy thrust, Dr. Goni stated that the Service aims to provide security, manage, and regulate the use of the diverse and unique natural resources within the national parks. He also underscored the global significance of national parks and their impact on national and regional security and well-being.
He also stated the importance of training, conferences, and workshops for NPS personnel, showcasing the investment in capacity building and skill development within the Service.
Further highlighted the NPS’s collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders to combat wildlife trafficking in Nigeria, including recent confiscations by the Nigerian Customs Service.
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He emphasized the NPS’s commitment to rehabilitating and reintroducing seized animals back into the wild, aligning with their conservation efforts.
Furthermore, Dr. Goni stressed the NPS’s multi-faceted role in areas such as medicine, research, education, agriculture, tourism, and spirituality, and their contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals seven (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action).
In addition to managing the existing seven national parks across different ecological and geopolitical zones, Dr. Goni highlighted the approval for the establishment of 10 new national parks by former President Muhammadu Buhari. These new parks will cover diverse ecological landscapes across the country, furthering the NPS’s conservation efforts.
Dr. Goni also provided an overview of the NPS’s law enforcement activities, including the number of arrests and prosecutions made across various national parks. He emphasized the considerable efforts to combat banditry incidents and criminal activities within the parks, highlighting successful arrests, rescues, and recovery of various items.
In terms of revenue generation and infrastructure development, Dr. Goni shared that the Service had generated N83.2 million and implemented several capital projects, benefiting park infrastructure and facilities.
Overall, the National Park Service is dedicated to its mission of wildlife conservation, environmental sustainability, and the protection of Nigeria’s natural heritage
