By Miriam Humbe
The Conservator General, National Park, Dr Muhammad Goni has urged the people of Osun State to protect the Oba Hill National Park, nurture the animals in their infancy so that the Park will blossom.
The Conservator General urged the people to allow the resources in the National Park to develop.
He said that the Federal Government had put infrastructure in place in the Park because the Park itself has a lot of resources.
Goni said: “Right at the boundary of the Park. And we make sure that the structures are all at the entry points. If you have eight entry points, the eight entry point we try to establish structure which we call our rangers barracks.
“So the arrangers are there 24/7 to ensure that no illegal entry, no illegal hunting, no illegal logging, no mining. So then, the Park itself has a lot of resources and this is where I want to appeal to you.
“Right now we are siting one or two animals and I’m sure given a serene environment the animals can multiply rapidly so that your place can be like going to Zimbabwe, going to Kenya, going to Tanzania and the proceed you get from revenue It’s like you are getting bonus but these resources will continue to be there and visitors will continue to come and as I’m talking to you, this National Park is already on the global map and the world is monitoring our development.
“The world is monitoring our development and should they realize that Yes, we have been able to build the animal population, ensure that the plant density increases.
“I want to assure you that Oba will be another Jerusalem or Mecca.”
He commended the Chiefs for attending the event and for their the sacrifices and also to appreciated their pride in the project.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Environment, extended their appreciation to the people and also their appeal that they expect more sacrifices from the people.
Oba Nafiu Abiodun Taofeek, the Olu of Akinleye Town where Oba Hill is situated in Osun State assured that his people would take pride in the National Park and take good care of it.
Oba Taofeek made case for massive employment of the youthful population to work on the National Park.
He pleaded for assistance from the Federal Government on behalf of his people, saying: “We need assistance of the federal government. We need the assistance of National Park please. That’s something some issue that we have.
“We want to commend the Conservator General, for supporting this important initiative and appreciate the contributions of of the institutions and partners involved.”
Below are his demands:
We therefore respectfully seek your continued support in the following areas:
1. Regular stakeholder engagement: Establishing a sustained platform for dialogue between Park management, traditional rulers, community representatives and other relevant stakeholders to address concerns promptly and prevent avoidable misunderstandings.
2. Community participation and livelihood opportunities: Giving qualified and deserving indigenes fair consideration for employment, training, restoration activities, environmental education and other legitimate opportunities arising from Park operations.
3. Boundary clarity and peaceful resolution of land-related concerns: Supporting transparent boundary identification, community sensitisation and constructive records, to promote understanding and prevent disputes. engagement with affected land users, in accordance with applicants that support alternative livelihoods, youth engagement, responsible resources and 4. Community development and environmental awareness: Encouraging programme public awareness of the ecological and economic importance of the National Park land when new seedlings are planted will help to sustain the growth of the new trees 5. (a) As additional requests, with emphasis, we believe that continuous farming on the
(b) We want the Government to make the employment opportunity to be 70% in favour of the host communities.
(c) We would like to advise the government to make the physical development of the host communities, a priority.
(d) We wish that the traditional rulers within the host communities are budgeted for
(e) We will love that the government demarcates the real boundaries of the park and also indicate where possible the limit of internal boundaries.
(0) Some miners are showing interest in mining around Akinleve Town and there is the further need to demarcate the boundaries of the park with required urgency.
Exotic trees that your committee who visited us before promised to look into the (g) When are we going to have the reply on the issue of destroying the existing modalities?
We make these requests in the spirit of partnership, not confrontation. Our desire is to see a National Park that is well protected, professionally managed and appreciated by the communities around it.
Sir, the long-term success of Oba Hills National Park will depend not only on the strength of its legal protection or the resources committed to its management, but also on the confidence and cooperation of the people living around it.
As traditional rulers, we pledge to encourage peaceful relations, pemanda awareness discourage destructive practices and work with the Parties resolve issues through dialogue and established procedures.
We will also encourage our people, particularly the youths to see the Nation as an adversary or a barrier to progress, but as a valuable rathames management can contribute to environmental security tourism development and economic opportunities.
attention, technical support, personnel and operational resources required for tofu
We respectfully appeal to you to continue giving Oba Hills National Park the initiation its mandate. We are confident that with sustained Federal Government support and the cooperation of our communities, Oba Hills can emerge as a shining exame d conservation success in southwestern Nigeria.
The Conservator General. Sir, history will remember the decisions we make today by the legacy they leave for tomorrow. The trees we restore, the wildlife we protect th relationships we build and the young people we empower will determine the future d Oba Hills.
Our aspiration is simple but profound: that Oba Hills National Park will become a protected landscape where nature flourishes, communities enjoy peaceful coexistence with conservation authorities, and future generations inherit an environment richer and healthier than the one we received.
Once again, we thank the Federal Government and you, specifically, the Conservator General, for the important development and for granting us this opportunity to engage with you.
May this visit mark the beginning of a stronger, more enduring partnership between the National Park Service and the Traditional Rulers and people of the Oba Hills host communities.
Acting Conservator of Park, Oba Hill, Osun State, Olakunle Azeez thanked the Conservator General for giving urgent attention to issues concerning the Park.
He said: “Thank you so much. God Almighty continue to bless you sir. Thank you sir.”
