FG unveils elephant sculpture as fight against wildlife trafficking intensifies
FG unveils elephant sculpture as fight against wildlife trafficking
intensifies
Chuks Oyema-Aziken, The Authority
August 1, 2024
See link
https://authorityngr.com/2024/08/01/fg-unveils-elephant-sculpture-as-fight-against-wildlife-trafficking-intensifies/
for photo.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled an elephant sculpture
crafted from pulverised Wildlife stockpile, signalling intensification of
war against trafficking.
The elephant is crafted from the disposal of about six tons of confiscated
wildlife stockpiles under the custody of her Agency, NESREA, that is the
designated CITES Enforcement Authority in Nigeria.
At the event, Honourable Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle
Salako, officially christened it the ‘Giwa Statue of Renewed Hope’.
He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to
eradicate wildlife trafficking in Nigeria.
Salako called on Nigerians to support the fight against illegal wildlife
trafficking by providing intelligence, discouraging animal poaching and
refusing to use products that are not ethically sourced
“We need wildlife for our survival, well being and prosperity as they
maintain ecological balance, maintain the food chain and they keep us
connected to nature.
In his speech, Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor said the
Elephant sculpture symbolizes Nigeria’s commitment to zero tolerance to
Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) at all levels, and a proof to CITES
communities that Nigeria has not relented in carrying out its obligations
to the international environmental conventions and promotion of eco-tourism
The Sculpture, a first of its kind in Nigeria, represents the country’s
zero-tolerance stance against wildlife trafficking and its dedication to
protecting listed endangered species of Wild fauna and flora.
The event marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat
illegal wildlife trade, which has been a major threat to the country’s
biodiversity and global conservation efforts.
Concerted efforts by NESREA and sister Agencies such as the Nigerian
Customs Service led to the arrest of several suspects between 2011 and
2023. 185 bags of pangolin scales weighing 3991 Kg, 11 bags of crocodiles
and other listed reptiles, leopard skins and feathers weighing 102 Kg and
2500Kg of ivory were recovered from these suspects and kept in the custody
of NESREA.
In October 2023, the seized pangolin scales and other animal skins were
incinerated by NESREA and this was followed by the crushing of the
confiscated ivory in January 2024. Both exercise were carried out with the
support of Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF) of the United
Kingdom and the United States Embassy in Nigeria.
NESREA is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Environment charged with
the mandate to enforce all environmental laws, policies, guidelines,
standards and regulations as well as to enforce compliance with the
provisions of multilateral environmental Agreements, Protocols, Conventions
and Treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.