Nigeria has been urged to deal with wildlife trafficking and the unlawful exploitation of biodiversity as a serious nationwide safety threat, with far-reaching implications for {economic} stability and sustainable improvement.
The Nation Consultant of the United Nations Workplace on Medicine and Crime (UNODC), Cheikh Touré, gave the warning in Abuja through the commemoration of World Wildlife Day, describing wildlife crime as a complicated transnational community fairly than a mere environmental challenge.
Touré mentioned unlawful commerce in wildlife and plant species continues to weaken ecosystems, gas illicit {financial} flows and erode the {economic} potential of biodiversity-rich international locations comparable to Nigeria. He famous that the crime has developed right into a critical organised threat able to undermining the rule of legislation and depriving communities of crucial pure assets.
He highlighted rising strain on Nigeria’s biodiversity—together with medicinal and fragrant crops—pushed by unlawful commerce, habitat destruction, local weather change and unsustainable harvesting practices.
Whereas commending Nigeria for legislative progress, significantly the Endangered Species Conservation and Safety Invoice, Touré confused that stronger enforcement, institutional capability and public consciousness are important to curb wildlife crime successfully.
He additionally emphasised the necessity for coordinated motion involving authorities companies, civil society organisations, worldwide companions and native communities.
The UNODC official additional highlighted efforts to have interaction younger Nigerians via the #BeWildForNature marketing campaign, which has educated youth advocates in conservation, digital advocacy and group mobilisation.
Additionally talking, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, represented by Wafaa Saeed, mentioned biodiversity safety is intently linked to human well being, {economic} resilience and environmental sustainability.
He warned that biodiversity loss and local weather change threaten important pure assets, together with medicinal crops relied upon for main healthcare, and confused that conservation is crucial to reaching the United Nations Sustainable Growth Targets.
On his half, Onah Bisong of the Federal Ministry of Youth Growth mentioned younger individuals have to be empowered to steer conservation efforts via innovation, advocacy and group engagement, noting that such initiatives may drive inexperienced jobs and {economic} development.
By Michael Olugbode
Times Nigeria