By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal has made a case for increased budgetary allocation for the National Parks Service, to curtail wildlife crimes across the country.
Lawal opined this at the 17th Commemoration of 2024 World Rangers Day held at the National Parks Service headquarters in Abuja.
The theme for 2024 event is “Rangers; The natural solution to achieving the 30 by 30 Biodiversity Targets”.
The Minister who was represented by Mr Mahmud Kambari Permanent Secretary in the ministry urged stakeholders to ensure continued support to wild life conservation for environmental sustainability.
“I implore us all to renew our commitments to supporting our rangers and protecting our biodiversity to make our environment a better place to live.
He said Nigeria is indeed taking her rightful position in the global space as far as environmental issues are concerned.
“Rangers are the driving force behind the natural solution we seek, they embody hope and resilience in the face of great challenges.a
“We must invest in robust policies and frameworks that empower Rangers, creating a conducive environment for them to carry out their important work.
“By doing so, we strengthen our collective efforts and acknowledge the indispensable role rangers play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” the Minister said.
Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General (C-G) NPS in his speech explained that Rangers were the foot soldiers in the battle against deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss and climate change, hence the need to support them to be result oriented.
“They are the foot soldiers in the battle against deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and climate change.
He said the theme of the 2024 Rangers Day encapsulates the pivotal role that rangers play in safeguarding natural heritage, joining hands to realise the ambitious global goal of conserving 30 per cent of our planet’s land and oceans by 2030.
Mr Chris Galliers President IRF frowned at the death of 140 rangers world wide.
Galliers who was represented by Assistant Conservator-General (AC-G) Oladipo Cornelius said that IRF was determined to reduce deaths rates of rangers annually.
Mr Temitope Omole European Union representative promised that the union would support all rangers in the ECOWAS region on wildlife conservation.
He further assured rangers world wide supports in the area of trainings and fundings for effective performances of their duties.
Highlights of the event was presentations of awards to outstanding Rangers, Garki Secondary School Students and support to families of deceased Rangers.
The event is globally and annually celebrated on July 31 by all the 160 member organisations of the International Rangers Federation (IRF) representing around 60,000 Rangers in countries across seven regions.
