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World Wildlife Day: Expert Tasks RSG On Conservation
As part of this year’s Wildlife Day celebrations, an expert in Wildlife Conservation and Professor of Biology and Environmental Conservation, Prof. Godfrey Akari has called on the State Government to conserve some key forests in the State.
Prof. Akari while speaking on the 2018 theme of World Wildlife day celebrations “The Big Cats” Predators Under Threat”, held at the Rivers State University on Monday noted that many animals were going extinct.
The University don pointed out that wild cats such as tigers leopards and lions were the most affected since they were key players in the food chain and ecosystem.
“People should be discouraged from killing them because they play a key role in balancing the ecosystem. They prevent overgrazing by the herbivores. When herbivores dominate a place they consume grass and this can lead to erosion and other ecological problems”.
Prof. Akari noted that many leopards and wild cats in most of the nation’s forests had been hunted, poached and used for their skins, teeth and skulls leading to their depletion.
In order to reverse the trend, the professor of Environmental Conservation at the Rivers State University said there were plans to send a proposal to the State Government to conserve some forests.
The proposal he further disclosed, would be aimed to press for the conservation of Andoni forest to protect elephants, and the Otamiri Forest that has lots of wild animals.
He lamented that the Otamiri Forest had been de-preserved and encroached upon due to poor government presence and protection.
“There are other areas that need to be protected, Between 1973-1974 the Rivers State made laws to protect some forests, but today they have been de-preserved as a result of encroachment”.
Proposing for a mini-zoo to be established in the State University, Prof. Akari said such facility would encourage more research into Biological and environmental studies.
The professor said time had come for state governments to seek for other economic base, as conservation could boost tourism, as being done in Kenya and other East – African countries, where wild life had become an economic resource.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
