DAMISI OJO, Akure
The Ondo State goodwill ambassador for the environment, Ms Olayemi Olapeju has raised an alarm on incessant Wildlife attacks, which she said must be prevented at all costs.
Besides, the founder of “No To Extinction / L’Extinction Art”, commiserated with the families of wildlife attack victims at the commemoration of World Earth Day.
The Environment Ambassador expressed sympathy to human-wildlife-conflict victims while distributing renewable energy solar and the stipends generated from sales of ‘No To Extinction’ thorncarving of wildlife to residents of Elegbeka village in Ose Local Government, as part of the one-week activities to mark World Earth Day.
Elegbeka is a community where incidents of kidnapping were reported in the recent past.
Olapeju disclosed that Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, and since then, people all over the world have observed it yearly to raise awareness for the environment.
According to her,” World Earth Day should not be observed only on 22nd April, but should be an everyday event as the earth is our home, and it provides benefits to humanity on the planet. So observing Earth Day on a daily basis will serve as a reminder that we must protect the environment, air, water, biodiversity, wildlife and human beings on our Earth.
“This year’s theme “Our Power, Our Planet”, is to highlight the needs for renewable and clean electricity as the issues of Climate Change are exacerbated by the use of fossil fuels, which will make the transition to renewable energy contribute to maintaining a safe and clean environment for coming generations, she said”.
While distributing renewable energy solar light and the stipends realized from the sales of thorncarving to people, Olapeju expressed her belief in humanity and wanted to use her position as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment to enact good initiatives that would benefit the environment and victims of wildlife attacks.
Wildlife conservation impacts more than just animals, we cannot protect wildlife without protecting people living with wildlife. I have been coming across headlines of human-wildlife-conflicts since I was a teenager”.
“In Nigeria, there have been several incidents of lion attacks. I remembered vividly in the 1980s that a lion mauled its keeper to death at Ikogosi Warm Springs in Ekiti State, a lion also killed a man at Agodi Zoo Gardens in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Another recent one was the killing of a zookeeper at Obafemi Awolowo University zoo in Osun State, in addition to several reports of elephant attacks, particularly the tourist who was trampled and killed by an elephant in Kruger National Park, South Africa,” she lamented.
She expressed condolences to the families of people who have lost their loved ones to wildlife attacks over the decades, most especially the 14-year old girl who was killed by a lion at a ranch in Nairobi National Park, Kenya and the 54-year-old man killed by an elephant also at Mere Forest in Kenya last Saturday.
“My deep condolences go to the bereaved families of these people who lost their family members,” she said in tears.
Mr James Muhammed, who lost one eye due to injuries sustained in the forest, thanked Ms Olayemi Olapeju for her kind gesture and for educating them about the importance of protecting the earth. He urged the government to also come to their aid and give more assistance to end their suffering and poverty.
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