FG Takes Over Management Of Oba Hills Forest Reserve
By 'Segun Adegoke, Osogbo
A new national park with the name Oba Hills National Park has debuted in Osun State, holding promise for not only ecotourism but also biodiversity conservation.
The erstwhile Oba Hills Forest Reserve, which extends to three local government areas of the state, was on Tuesday formally handed over to the Nigerian National Park Service (NNPS) for management.
Governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke, while handing it over, said its upgraded status as a National Park would help preserve its depleting natural ecosystem.
He stated that, “Oba Hills Forest Reserve, now to be known as Oba Hills National Park, spans about 4,225 hectares of land across Iwo, Ejigbo, and Ola-Oluwa Local Government Areas.”
According to Adeleke, the transfer aligns with Osun state’s broader climate change agenda, recognizing the critical role of the environment in mitigating the effects of global warming and ensuring sustainable development.
The Governor explained that the extensive flora and fauna at the site is a testament to the rich biodiversity of the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
“The forest reserve hosts varieties of natural phenomena of ecological value. The site is also home to five unique hills which provide habitats for diverse plants and animals,”he said.
He however disclosed that human activities such as logging and poaching which had once threatened the biodiversity of the forest prompted the state government to push for NNPS to take it over.
Adeleke also noted that it was disheartening to see humans destroy the delicate balance created by nature at the site, urging people to desist from poaching the animals and damaging the environment.
“We regret to note that some of these species are endangered due to activities such as logging, hunting, and other human factors.
“It was for this reason that the Osun State Government engaged the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in April 2013 to conduct a comprehensive survey of the reserve. The findings revealed a high degree of degradation, which calls for urgent intervention.
“In response, Osun State reached out to the National Park Service to propose the reserve’s upgrade to National Park status. In 2021, this request was granted. Today, we witnessed the realization of that effort,” the Governor said.
Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Nigeria’s Minister for Environment, in his remarks, lauded Osun State Government for the handover, describing it as an enlightened decision.
He said the collaboration between the state and federal government was a lesson in sustainable conservation for the benefit of future generations.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the government and the people of Osun state for this enlightened decision to hand over this Invaluable asset to the Federal Government.
“This demonstrates a shared commitment to conservation that transcends political boundaries, underscoring an unwavering dedication towards safeguarding the environment and making the world a better place to live in.”
The Minister, represented by the Conservator-General of Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa Goni, said international best practice would be deployed in managing the park.
He urged locals living near and around the park to take ownership of it and help protect the flora and fauna therein, assuring them that the long term benefits of having a national park near them would make them proud of having such heritage.
He said:”Your Excellency, be assured that we will utilize the best available technologies, scientific expertise, and community Involvement to protect this invaluable natural asset for future generations.
“We are committed to promoting community-led conservation approaches that foster a sense of ownership and enable you to benefit equitably from the Park’s resources.
“Our goal is to forge a strong partnership between the Federal Government, state authorities, and the local populace to ensure the success of the National Park project.”
The Minister disclosed that former President, Muhammadu Buhari, in November 2020, approved the upgrade of ten Forest and Game Reserves to National Parks, including Oba Hills, thus bringing the total number of National Parks in Nigeria to seventeen.
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