Lagos – A member of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Mr Desmond Majekodunmi, on Thursday urged Federal and State Governments to give priority to forest conservation.
Majekodunmi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that governments should understand that environmental protection was key to supporting other developmental programmes.
“Environment is our life supporting system.
“Our breathing, agriculture and all essentials we need to survive, revolve around the environment.
“Forest conservation should not be left in the hands of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) alone as there is very little they can do.
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“Nigeria’s forest cover has reduced to five per cent over the years.
“NCF is fighting very hard to bring back the forest cover to 25 per cent.
“To achieve this, federal and state governments need to be educated on how to protect and conserve the environment,” Majekodunmi said.
The official said that the Lekki Conservation Centre in addition to earning itself a Green Space Area serves as a tourist spot and a platform for educating the youth on the environment.
He said that since the foundation could not cover much, it was helping state governments to develop conservation centres as well as providing support to the National Parks Agency.
Majekodunmi said that the national parks were not doing what they should do in terms of technical initiatives. (NAN)