Humans would always pretend to have more important issues to talk about than the natural environment and its components. In some cultures, the lowest in the rung to talk about or take seriously would be vultures; a handy creature in painting the imagery of ugliness and filth. The vulture has a horrible reputation as squabbling scavengers with no sense of smell. Some species even have a devious and duplicitous appearance that have enriched our folklores from the negative standpoint. But, if anything, man is just a strand in the web of the global ecosystem and therefore lacks the justification to judge. The truth is that the global environment is imperiled today largely owing to man’s activities and/or inactivity. Nigeria continues to lose its biological diversity because we have not matched words, policies and laws with action. Multiple distractions in the country have also not helped matters. This article is a contribution to the International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) 2019 and is aimed at seizing the momentum to wake us up to our responsibilities to the environment, in which we have steadily been failing woefully. Environmental issues have been relegated to the background as a result of reasons ranging from ignorance,…
Chief Ede Dafinone, the Chairman, National Executive Council of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) stated that climate change is causing an increase in sea level which is causing coastal communities in Nigeria to be submerged. He declared this at the 6th Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders’ Conference organised by Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos Chapter with the theme “Conversations to Promote Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria.” The event held at Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos on Thursday, 29th August 2019. In his speech, Dafinone who chaired the conference spoke about the forest fire catastrophe in the Amazon and the implication on climate change which could lead to a rise in the sea level thereby causing coastal communities to become flooded. He cited other examples of Bar Beach and Alfa Beach in Lagos, warning that: “the developments currently at the Bar Beach may be submerged if actions are not taken to mitigate the effect of coastal erosion” He equally informed that organisations are moving from being just corporate socially responsible to being corporate socially environment responsible.” Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso tasked manufacturers…
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), the Civil Society Network for the Lake Chad Basin (North-East Nigeria), the Humanitarian Forum, UK with the support of the International Islamic Charity Organisation (IICO) call on Nigerians to rise to the challenge of natural disaster and climate change in the country as it is an existential issue affecting everyone, especially in North-East Nigeria. This call was made at the opening ceremony of a 2-day workshop held in Abuja on 26th & 27th August, 2019 with the theme “Resilience Agenda: Natural Disasters and Climate Change – How are we managing risks and crises differently in North-East Nigeria?” Twenty-one Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from the six states in North-East Nigeria, representatives of Government agencies, UN agencies, international NGOs, security agencies and the media gathered at the workshop to take stock of how climate change is being addressed as a risk factor for disasters, review what adaptation measures are being implemented, formulate practical steps to overcome challenges and make a difference to people affected by crisis. The workshop is also expected to identify concrete areas in which NCF and other groups could collaborate to address Disaster Risk Reduction and build the resilience of communities in the zone.…
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Network of Civil Society Organisations in the Lake Chad Basin (North-East Nigeria) in collaboration with the World Humanitarian Action Forum (WHAF) host a workshop in Abuja on 26th & 27th August, 2019 with the theme “Resilience Agenda: Natural Disasters and Climate Change – How are we managing risks and crises differently in North-East Nigeria?” The aim of the workshop is to take stock of how climate change is being addressed as a risk factor for disasters, what adaptation measures are being implemented, action-oriented discussion to formulate concrete practical steps to overcome challenges and make a difference to people affected by crisis. The workshop is expected to identify concrete areas in which NCF and other groups could collaborate to address Disaster Risk Reduction and build the resilience of communities in the zone. The outcome of the workshop will feed into discussions at the WHAF 2019. WHAF is a project that aims to enhance partnership and collaboration among humanitarian actors from the global North and South and to share effective humanitarian practices and responses that affect local, national and international NGOs. Expected at the workshop are Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from the six states in…
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in partnership with Earthnewsinfo, (an online environment website, hosted by Jennifer Igwe, a multiple award-winning environment journalist) is organizing a one-week Environmental Journalism Summer School for aspiring environmental journalists, particularly those from polluted environments and areas with degradation. The Environmental Journalism Summer School is also an advocacy programme that seeks to build the capacity of young Nigerians to bring to the fore myriad of environmental challenges bedeviling their communities. They will be trained on the rudiments of environmental journalism, so they can be agents of change. The initiative targets greenhorns and those already working with media organizations. Participants will learn from list of multiple award-winning environment journalists such as Shola Oshunkeye, Jennifer Igwe, Ugochi Oluigbo, Samson Asije among others. Other facilitators are renowned conservationists; Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano, DG of NCF, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi, Chairman of LUFASI and others. The programme is also an empowerment initiative, as participants seeking to become freelance journalists and the voice of the voiceless, will receive assistance. They will learn how to source for stories, pitch them to editors and publishers as well as packaging and earning a living from doing so. At the end of the programme, each participant will…
As the implementation of the 2 years Vulture project funded by the USFWS is progressing, the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) are advocating for the adoption of sustainable alternatives to vulture in belief-based use. This agreement was reached last week at a one-day Stakeholders Meeting with the Ogun State Chapter of the Association which was held in Abeokuta on 13th August 2019. According to Chief Soyoye (Aniyikaiye), President of NANTMP Ogun State chapter, the Association is committed to sensitizing its members across the State on desisting from using vulture parts in trado-medicine practices. They also appealed that the government should strengthen the enforcement of existing laws and place the use of the species under Felonious Act, as this will strengthen the enforcement of the ban and reduce vulture trade. Conservation Desk Officer, Ogun State Ministry of Forest, Mr. Ojelade in his response said that lack of law that guides against the trade in vulture use is promoting the illegal trade. He further informed the meeting that Ogun State Government has recently reviewed its Wildlife Laws with the technical support of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. The draft Wildlife Laws is waiting to be passed by the State House…
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