WATCH OUT FOR “Health Palaver” FROM THE STABLE OF ‘THE HONOURABLES’ tomorrow, Thursday, December 12, 2024.
OSUN State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday, December 11, 2024 formally handed Oba Hills National Park situated across Iwo, Ejigbo and Ola-Oluwa Local Government Areas to the Federal Government.
The historic occasion took place at the Bola Ige White House, Abere, Osogbo where top Government officials were present including Oluwo of Iwo, HRM Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi
While handing over, Adeleke stressed that recruitment process should involve indigenes of the State. “I also urge the National Park Service to prioritise the recruitment of qualified indigenes of Osun State as officers and men to operate the park. Local content is a state policy here in Osun state.”
The Governor added that Oba Hills host varieties of ecological value and home to five unique hills providing habitats for diverse plants and animals.
“Oba Hills Forest Reserve, now to be known as Oba Hills National Park, spans about 4,225 hectares across Iwo, Ejigbo, and Ola-Oluwa Local Government Areas. This forest reserve hosts varieties of ecological value. The site is also home to five unique hills which provide habitats for diverse plants and animals.
We regret to note that some of these species are endangered due to activities such as logging, hunting, and other human factors. It was for this reason that the Osun State Government engaged the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in April 2013 to conduct a comprehensive survey of the reserve. The findings revealed a high degree of degradation, which calls for urgent intervention.
In response, Osun State reached out to the National Park Service to propose the reserve’s upgrade to National Park status. In 2021, this request was granted. Today, we witnessed the realization of that effort.
I wish to express my profound gratitude to the Conservator-General and the entire National Park Service for their total commitment to facilitate this handover process.
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As we transfer the management of Oba Hills Forest Reserve to the National Park Service, I must stress that Osun State remains deeply interested in the operations of the park. Today’s event aligns with our broader climate change agenda, as we recognize the critical role of ecosystem in reducing global warming and ensuring sustainable development.
I also urge the National Park Service to prioritise the recruitment of qualified indigenes of Osun State as officers and men to operate the park. Local content is a state policy here in Osun state.
The policy strengthens benefits for local communities and facilitates local ownership. We seek enforcement of that policy in the operations of the park.
On this note, I officially hand over the Oba Hills Forest Reserve to the Honourable Minister of Environment for its transformation into a National Park, under the stewardship of the National Park Service.”
Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister for Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal during the handover ceremony said the Federal Government accept the handover with great pleasure and sense of responsibility to preserve the nature heritage at the Oba Hill Forest Reserve.
Balarabe hinged on the gains and importance of Oba Hills to the local communities and as a tourist attractions to visitors in Nigeria and in Diaspora.
“Oba Hill Forest Reserve holds a delicate balance that sustains life and provides crucial ecosystem services. It serves as a sanctuary for numerous wildlife species, including birds, amphibians, and fishes, and safeguards biodiversity.
The Park will undoubtedly become an ecotourism hotspot, attracting visitors from far and wide, not only contributing to local economy but the country’s GDP. This presents an excellent opportunity to showcase the natural beauty and cultural diversity of the Nigerian landscape while generating economic opportunities for local communities. The potential for sustainable job creation, increased revenue, and community development should not be underestimated.”
The Minister went through the memory lane on when the idea was muted by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 who approved the upgrade of the reserves to a National Park.
The Federal Government have a total of 17 Conservation Forests across the nation as at last counts
“…the journey towards upgrading the Reserve to a National Park began in 2012 when the Osun State government expressed interest in this transition.
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In November 2020, the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, approved the upgrade of ten (10) Forest and Game Reserves to National Parks, including Oba Hill, thus increasing the total number of National Parks in Nigeria to seventeen (17).
This establishment aligns with our country’s efforts to meet global biodiversity conservation targets outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and to enhance internal security. The ten (10) new National Parks are as follows:
Oba Hills National Park in Osun State, which is being handed over today
Hadejia Wetland National Park in Jigawa State (taken over 10th September, 2024 from the Jigawa State Government)
Allawa National Park in Niger State
Apoi National Park in Bayelsa State
Edumanom National Park in Bayelsa State
• Falgore National Park in Kano State
• Kogo National Park in Katsina State
• Kampe National Park in Kwara State
• Marhai National Park in Nasarawa State
• Pandam National Park in Plateau State.
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As a Ministry, we are keenly aware of the challenges associated with the effective management of the Reserve, and we are already taking necessary steps to address them.
Part of these efforts involves engaging with key stakeholders at local and international levels. We are also collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and other security agencies to enhance the capacity of Rangers and Forest and Game Guards through training, the provision of additional arms and ammunition, and the acquisition of technology-based patrol equipment. These initiatives aim to strengthen security within and around our forest areas.
In an effort to kick off effectively, the National Park Service has appointed Assistant Conservator of Parks, Azeez Kazeem Olakunle as Ag. Conservator of Parks to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the Park pending the appointment of a substantive Conservator of Park. The Service has also procured the following items for the Park:
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i. Vehicle: Toyota Hilux 4WD.
ii. Motorcycles.
iii. Bicycles
iv. Arms & Ammunition
V. Office furniture & equipment: consisting of desktop computer, laptop computer, printers, scanner, photocopier, office chairs, office table, and refrigerator.
vi. Complete set of uniform and accoutrements
vii. Patrol equipment (s)
viii. Camping Equipment (s)
In addition to the items procured above, the service will absorb indigene of this state who indicated interest in working with the Federal Government and tax (PAYE) will be remitted to the State.
There are opportunities for indigent contractors and other jobs seekers to be empowered. Apart from the carbon credit market that will improve the resources of the state, opportunities abounds for access to Green funds, climate funds and many other infrastructure such as roads, portable water, from solar powered bore-holes, procurement of drugs and educational material are some of those benefits that the service could provide as part of its corporate social responsibility in collaboration with Donor agencies and development partners such as United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), African Nature Investor ANI), United Nation Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Sustainable Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Global Environment Facility (GEF) etc.
Small and medium scale businesses and agro forestry provided by our development partners will also improve the lots of the rural poor especially women thereby minimizing their vulnerability to climate change.
Your Excellency, be assured that we will utilize the best available technologies, scientific expertise, and community Involvement to protect this invaluable natural asset for future generations.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Your Excellency for your resilience in ensuring that the action of your predecessor come to fruition. Your commitment to protecting our planet is truly commendable, and your role in the sustainable development of our nation is invaluable.
To the Indigenous People and Local Communities residing near the Park, I assure you that your voices will be heard, and your interests will be taken into consideration. We are committed to promoting community-led conservation approaches that foster a sense of ownership and enable you to benefit equitably from the Park’s resources. Our goal is to forge a strong partnership between the Federal Government, state authorities, and the local populace to ensure the success of the National Park project.”
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