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17 Nigerian wildlife park rangers killed in one year

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The minister says Nigeria’s wildlife park rangers face terrorists, kidnappers, other challenges.

Seventeen Nigerian wildlife rangers were killed by poachers and other criminals in the last one year, the government has said.

Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of the National Park Service said this on Monday during a candlelight memorial in honour of fallen heroes of the National Park Service (NPS) to mark World Rangers Day.

The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abubakar, who attended the event, said wildlife park rangers in the country now grapple with terrorists, kidnappers cattle rustlers and bandits in their line of duty.

Mr Abubakar said it was sad that in recent times, the challenges faced by park rangers working tirelessly to protect the country’s wildlife had taken a dangerous dimension.

Mr Abubakar said that measures were being taken by the ministry to overcome the problems faced by the NPS especially the challenges affecting rangers.

The minister noted that the government was fully aware of the numerous challenges.

“These challenges range from contending with poachers, loggers, miners, grazers, to trekking long distances, inadequate patrol vehicles, use of obsolete firearms, inadequate modern equipment and inadequate manpower.
READ ALSO: Active mobile lines reduced to 160.5 million in August – NCC

“I am pleased to inform you that the government is abreast of these arduous challenges that are debilitating the National Park Service,” he added.

Mr Abubakar praised the NPS for working tirelessly in its responsibility of protecting, preserving and conserving the nation’s natural resources.

“I want to express my sincere sympathy to the National Park Service and the families of the departed heroes.

“The memories of the fallen heroes will continue to live in us,’’ he said.

Mr Goni, the Conservator-General, said the occasion was held to honour unforgettable fallen heroes who despite all odds strived very hard to make the environment a better place to live in.

Mr Goni described park rangers as unsung heroes of wildlife conservation whose critical contributions to a healthy environment and general wellbeing were hardly noticed by all and sundry.

He lamented the fact that rangers were always under-appreciated because they worked in remote places and were not often in the media spotlight.

Mr Goni said there was need to associate with them and encourage them to keep up the good work as they protected the critical ecosystem.

“They weather the storm to ensure that you and I are safe from all forms of environmental-related hazards by preventing biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, biological monitoring, habitat management, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, tourism and many others.

“Records made available by the International Rangers Federation indicate that about 120 rangers had lost their lives in the line of duty from August 2020 to 30th July, 2021 across the globe and Nigeria accounts for 17 deaths out of this figure,’’ he said.

Mr Danjuma Magaji, Deputy Conservator of Parks, a ranger, commended the government for collaborating with some non-governmental organisations in training some rangers and providing some equipment.

World Rangers Day is celebrated around the world on July 31 each year to rememember the many rangers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty while protecting national and state parks. (NAN)

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Environment

Residents Hail Oyebanji’s Infrastructure Drive as Spotless-Onigari Road Takes Shape

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Residents of GRA Spotless-Onigari Community in Ado-Ekiti have expressed deep appreciation to the Ekiti State Government for the ongoing construction of the road linking Spotless Junction, Olaoluwa Muslim Grammar School, and the Assembly of God Church along Orisun-Egbewa Road, off Falagan Road.

 

 

The road project, which spans approximately 2.2 kilometres, includes the construction of modern drainage systems and other supporting infrastructure designed to improve transportation, enhance environmental sanitation, and stimulate socio-economic activities within the community.

 

 

During an inspection of the project, community leaders commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for fulfilling one of his promises to the area, noting that the administration has continued to demonstrate commitment to infrastructural development across the state.

 

 

The project is being executed by Garden of Mercy Construction Company Limited, with Engineer Ariyo Fagbayi serving as the site engineer overseeing the work.

 

 

Speaking on behalf of residents, the General Chairman of the community, Professor Femi Omotosho, described the project as a significant intervention that would greatly improve the living conditions of residents and facilitate easier movement within the area.

 

 

Also speaking, the Community Chairman, Alhaji Rabiu Ademola Olalekan, praised the state government for its commitment to infrastructure development, describing the project as evidence of responsive and people-centred governance.

 

 

The Youth Leader of the community, Mr. Adamonkekun Ojo, expressed the excitement of young people in the area, noting that the road project would create economic opportunities and contribute to the overall growth and development of the community.

 

 

The community leaders collectively pledged their continued support for the state government and promised to mobilise residents to support the governor’s re-election bid in the forthcoming governorship election.

 

 

They expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work on the project and assured the government of their readiness to reciprocate the gesture through sustained cooperation and democratic participation.

 

 

Residents who spoke during the inspection described the road construction as a welcome development that would bring an end to years of transportation challenges and improve access to schools, places of worship, businesses, and residential areas.

 

 

They expressed optimism that the project would be completed on schedule, in line with the state government’s commitment to providing quality infrastructure and improving the welfare of residents across Ekiti State.

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Environment

Court Warns Defendants in Ode-Irele Chieftaincy Dispute to Obey Judgment or Face Jail

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A High Court sitting in Okitipupa, Ondo State, has issued a stern warning to parties involved in the ongoing chieftaincy dispute in Ode-Irele, directing them to comply with its earlier judgment or risk imprisonment.

 

The court specifically ordered Adeniyi Olanrewaju Ayeromora and other defendants to adhere to its ruling delivered on August 2, 2022. The judgment had restrained them from parading themselves as regent or initiating any new selection process for the Olofun of Irele stool.

 

In a notice outlining the consequences of disobedience, the court cautioned that failure to comply could result in contempt proceedings and possible committal to prison.

 

The directive was also extended to key government officials, including the Attorney General of Ondo State and relevant local government authorities. The court warned them against recognizing or supporting any actions that contradict its ruling.

 

Meanwhile, the court has issued a separate Form 49 notice summoning several defendants to appear and show cause why they should not be jailed for allegedly continuing to violate the subsisting court order.

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Africa News

Anger, Rage As Ministerial Task Team Dismantles Illegal Motor Parks, Shanties At Zuba

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As efforts to make sure the the Nigeria Federal Capital is Clean enough like other Capital Cities around the world, the FCT Ministerial Task Team on City Sanitation on Tuesday moved bulldozers to clear illegal shops, shanties and other makeshift structures in and around Zuba one of the suburbs of the Nigeria Capital City.

During the cleaning exercise, Petty traders and owners of those structures were visibly angry , The FCT Ministerial Task Team on City Sanitation dismantled illegal motor parks and shanties in the area.

Officials of the team led by its chairman Ikharo Attah, who moved into the area in the wee hours of the day stormed the popular Dankogi area on Zuba-Kaduna expressway and demolished the illegal motor parks which the traders operate in makeshifts, constituting security threat to the people.

Responding to questions from journalists after the exercise tagged ‘clean up’ the chairman said removing of the structures was in line with the directives of the minister of the FCT Malam Muhammad Bello to maintain sanity in the city.

Attah explained that the exercise followed the Minister of FCT’s directives on the need to reclaim the inter-change in Zuba being abused by traders and motorists.

He regretted that the inter-change has been taken over by shanties in the name of trading, causing grilock and nuisance.

The chairman stated that, “The minister is not comfortable with the abuse of the plan of the inter-change which is supposed to be green but is converted into a transport hub that is gradually becoming a shanty and criminals’ den, the area has also become a plantain market.

“We are removing the illegal structures to reclaim Zuba because some criminals are coming to the spot, so the exercise today is multi dimensional, one is to reclaim the Zuba inter-change, two is to remove shanties where criminals hide, three is to free traffic coming from Kubwa-Dei-Dei axis that connect Zuba and Zuma rock axis on Abuja-Kaduna express way.

“There is a market for the traders, so they should move in, not selling on the road, they feel to sale on the road because it provides quick market for them, we are discouraging that by appealing to them to relocate and leave the road inter-change, or corridor” he said.

FCT Bulldozer At work in Zuba

On sustaining the exercise, Hassan Ogbole of the Department of Development Control said after the clean-up, the Department of Parks and Recreation is expected to take over the area for proper management.

“We have done our part it is left for the Department of Parks and Recreation to take over the management of the area, is either they come in as a department, or hand it over to a contractor that will manage it”

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