Minister Praises African Nature Investors for constructing rangers outpost in Gumti National Park

Published November 14, 2024

By Newspointer

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has commended African Nature Investors (ANI) for its efforts in conserving Nigeria’s natural heritage, specifically for constructing over 50 houses for park rangers equipped with internet facilities in Gashaka Gumti National Park.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held in Tongo, Adamawa State, the Minister, who was represented by the Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Ibrahim Musa Goni, highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting ANI’s conservation initiatives under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Lawal praised ANI’s contributions to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s steadfast backing of national park conservation.

The new facilities at the Gumti outpost, according to Lawal, mark a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s national park infrastructure and enhancing the living conditions of rangers who work to protect these crucial ecosystems.

Lawal emphasized the importance of ANI’s partnership with the National Park Service, which has provided both technical and financial support for conservation efforts in Gashaka Gumti National Park and has recently extended to Okomu National Park in Edo State.

He acknowledged the pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s wildlife protection efforts, including poaching, habitat destruction, and threats from insurgency and banditry, but expressed optimism that partnerships like the one with ANI would help combat these issues.

The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by Tongo Local Government Chairman Suleiman Ahmed Gangkub, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, thanking the Federal Government for supporting the conservation efforts and pledging further assistance to promote wildlife and environmental protection.

Executive Director of ANI, Tunde Morakinyo, explained that the foundation’s mission goes beyond protecting wildlife, aiming also to foster economic development for communities in Adamawa and Taraba.

ANI has already created over 600 jobs, both directly and indirectly, for locals around the park, which Morakinyo sees as essential for improving livelihoods and reducing hardship.

The ceremony was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, and local government leaders, who applauded ANI’s contributions to both environmental and community development.

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