Nigeria and UNESCO is training members of Oban community in Cross River on biodiversity businesses around the Oban Biosphere Reserve for its conservation and sustainable development.
It is in line with the Nigeria-UNESCO Biodiversity Business in Oban Biosphere Reserve, Omo Biosphere Reserve, and Shere Hills Reserve Nigeria: A Means to Poverty Reduction, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Nigeria.
The week-long Oban community training involves12 communities which namely Old Netim, Nsan, Obung, Ojor, Nsofang, New Ekuri, Old Ekuri, Neghe, Oban, Osomba, Orem and Ojok.
Sponsored by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, the project is also in collaboration with Nigerian Man and Biosphere (MAB) committee, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and the National Park Service (NPS).
Dr Enang Moma, National Professional Officer, Natural Science Sector, UNESCO, Abuja, said the training was designed to conserve biodiversity, create wealth through the establishment of biodiversity businesses.
“People depend on biodiversity for their livelihoods, but it has to be done in a sustainable manner, in a way that the biodiversity is conserved because biodiversity is important for so many things.
“Biodiversity is important for the adaptation of drugs, for food production but we want to ensure that the people depend on biodiversity in a sustainable manner.
“It is going to improve or reduce poverty and create wealth and we are looking at creating women and young people entrepreneurships for development and gender inclusivity,’’ Moma said.
Enang also said that 250 families from the communities would be trained on poultry, piggery and fishery, adding that they would in turn transfer the training to their families.
“We will establish this pilot for them to start so that they will be able to do these things in a sustainable manner and also encourage cooperation.
“At the end of the day, it should be that we have affected about 2500 people.
Mr Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, said the training would provide opportunities for communities to benefit from the sustainable use of natural resources while safeguarding the ecological integrity of their environment.
Represented by Dr Zacharia Yaduma, Director-General, FRIN, Lawal said that environmental education would deepen understanding of ecological systems, hence promoting stewardship among communities.
“Environmental education is important in this regard to promote community responsibility and for this reason, livelihood development and business management are integrated into this project as crucial instruments for attaining sustainability.
“By equipping participants with management and entrepreneurial skills, we are promoting the development of nature-based businesses that enhance local resources, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable production methods,’’ he said.
Mr Ignatius Ndifon, Traditional Ruler, Oban community, called on his community members to take the training serious, adding it would ensure that they preserved the forest which is part of their heritage.
Ndifon urged the women and youths to become advocates for the preservation of Oban biosphere reserve.
Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General, National Park Service, urged benefiting communities to ensure they acquired knowledge that would lead to biodiversity conservation.
Represented by CP Joseph Ntui, Conservator, Cross River National Park, he also urged community leaders to support the national park in conserving the natural resources in their communities.
The participants would be trained on biodiversity business management, processes and book keeping, piggery biodiversity, fish farming and poultry biodiversity business.
