Stakeholders harp on conservation

From Janefrances Chibuzor

Veterans in Nigerian environment alongside captains from various private sectors, have met on possible ways of protecting and conserving the environment.

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment organised a two-day business forum,  tagged: naijabiz4nature.

The  forum, which aimed at bringing  captains of industry together  to  share ideas on mainstream conservation, served as a veritable platform to advise governments on the need to look inward while creating conducive atmosphere that  would invariably foster effective participation of the private sector in curbing rapid environment degradation.

The forum supported by World Wildlife Fund for Nature and BirdLife International, held at Lekki Conservation Centre and  ended with a press confer-ence.

In his opening  address,  Minister of State for Environment Sharon Ikeazor stated.  “We need to adopt new mechanisms, processes and interactions to improve on our current interface with nature as a people.

Growing development trajectory requires that we find possible ways of improving on things on ground to better the country’s economy.”

On her part, the President of NCF Board of Trustees, who was represented by Dame Marie Fatayi-Williams, said: “The concept of this business forum was premised on the fact that business products, practices, supply chains and business models can have major impact on critical areas of biodiversity conservation and that the private sector plays  critical role in ensuring  biodiversity conservation.”

The Director-General NCF, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano observed that globally, the loss of biodiversity is on the increase with devastating consequences and not enough is being done to stem the tide.

“The private sector plays a critical role in determining how biodiversity is used and conserved. Therefore, the sector serves as a major stakeholder in biodiversity conservation.

In Nigeria, the need to have the private sector involved in the protection and conservation of nature cannot be over-emphasised. Currently, Nigeria ranks as one of the countries with the highest rate of deforestation with 350,000 to 400,000 hectares lost annually.

Read Also: Erosion may wipe off Lekki Conservation Centre -DG

The loss of such habitat is not only detrimental to the well-being of species, but to people and businesses.

The mining, agriculture, fishing, finance and banking, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing sectors, among others, either directly or indirectly depend on nature or  services provided by nature which therefore allows private sector  stakeholders invest in conservation and protection of  ecosystem,” he said.

The forum witnessed five sessions on nature’s contribution to people included nature for business; nature of oil and gas; nature in health and financing nature.

In attendance were Hon. Samuel Onuigbo, Member, House of Representatives; D-G, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research & Development, Dr. Obi Adigwe; Director General of LCCI, represented by Dr. Matthew Ojo; Ms. Alessandra Prampolini of WWF International; President, Wildlife Society of Nigeria, Prof. Ibukun Ayodele; Secretary, Forestry Association of Nigeria, Prof Kayode Ogunsanwo; Assistant Conservator General, National Parks Service, Dr. Agboola Okeyoyin; representatives of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Chevron Nig. Ltd, Total E&P Nig. Ltd, Coca-Cola Nig. Ltd and Shell Petroleum Development Company, among others.