….Nigeria needs $6M yearly for NEAP implementation – WCS

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

In a bid to combat elephant extinction in Nigeria, the Federal Government on Tuesday, launched the National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP).

The project which spans 10 years (2024 – 2034) was launched in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Wildlife Conservation Society, WCS, and The Elephant Protection Initiative, EPI, to ensure the necessary coordination and follow-up required for its timely implementation.

In his keynote address, the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, said the launch of NEAP is a strong determination and resolve to continue to protect Nigeria’s natural resources including wildlifes, not just for nature and humanity but also for sustainable economic development.

He said in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to unlock our natural resources for sustainable development, NEAP is designed to be inter alia, a tool for planning and monitoring elephant conservation measures and will serve as a framework for the strategies and decision-making.

Salako said the plan will provide the necessary strategic framework for the coordination of all actors involved in elephant conservation and management, including government
institutions, NGOs/INGOs, private sector partners and the local communities living around elephant habitats.

He said, “The document is designed to be flexible and evolve strategies with new threats, new challenges, and new opportunities. It emphasizes habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, community engagement, and sustainable management practices thus creating a harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants, ensuring that both can thrive.

“Let me emphasize that this NEAP launch is not just a ceremonial event but a call to action to all of us across government and across society. Nigeria Takes Bold Steps to Protect its Remaining Elephants” he said.

Also speaking, WCS Nigeria Country Director, Andrew Dunn said Nigeria is one of the few countries in Africa that has both savanna elephants and forest elephants; adding, within the space of 30 years, Nigeria’s elephant population has crashed from 1500 to an estimated 300 – 400 today, which is 100 savanna elephants and 200 -300 forest elephants.

He said Nigeria has lost 99 percent of the original elephant population,and elephants are found at only 10 sites in Nigeria.

Dunn said Nigeria will need a sum total of $6,000,000 yearly for the implementation, as $600,000 will be used per site yearly.

He added that the project is to ensure the long-term survival of elephants in Nigeria, reduce illegal elephant killings and trade through harmonised state and federal wildlife laws and enhanced law enforcement, maintain elephant habitats through land-use planning and the creation of wildlife corridors to mitigate conflicts with communities, Increase public awareness and community-shared economic benefits generated by tourism, enhance scientific knowledge and understanding of elephants to better inform efficient strategies and strengthen regional cooperation with neighbouring countries.

In her remarks, Former Minister of State for Environment and Chairperson EPI Leadership council, Sharon Ikeazor emphasised on the need to leverage the power of education and public awareness to foster a culture of conservation that will support the objectives of the action plan and reduce human-elephant conflicts.

In Addition, the Africa Nature Investor, ANI Boss Tunde Morakinyo who was represented by Wilson Ogoke called on stakeholders to support its effective implementation to ensure that Nigeria’s elephant population survives well into the future.

The Conservational General, National Park Service, Muhammed Goni, who was represented by Hauwa Mangga lauded the initiative, referring to it as a welcomed idea.

In his words, the Director of State Engagement, Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation, Korogone Sinagabe urged the public for support to safeguard, prevent poaching, and to foster an environment where elephants or wildlife and communities will flourish.