The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), the leading environment NGO dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria has expand its campaign against vulture decline and Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) by engaging some Nigerian celebrities in the campaign.
Mariam Longe, Co-host of TVC YourView; Seun Akindele, Nollywood actor; and Yvonne Jegede, Nollywood actor were inaugurated on Thursday, 12th May 2022 at Lekki Conservation Centre as the new set of campaign ambassadors.
NCF since 2017 commenced a project tagged “Save Vulture Campaign”, an effort targeted at sensitising the public about the conservation of vulture species and the adverse effect of its extinction on human health and the economy. In expanding the scope of this campaign, an intensive battle against the IWT has been integrated into it to help harmony and synergise strategies and efforts at achieving better result.
The Foundation had engaged some other personalities in the past on the same cause. They were Frank Donga (Comedian), Yomi Fash-Lanso (Movie Producer/Actor), Tito da fire (Musician/OAP) and Seyi Asurf (Movie Producer).
The three new Ambassadors were selected based on their cloud of influence on the teeming youth and impact in the entertainment industry. Engaging these trio will help to intensify public awareness about nature conservation while driving active youth engagement in environmental and wildlife conservation.
Director General of NCF, represented by Mr. Uche Achunine, Director of Business Development and Communications in his welcome address highlighted the essence of the campaign vis-à-vis importance of involving celebrities. He further revealed that the drive to save wildlife critically being endangered, especially vulture species is considered urgent and an utmost concern for all.
“About 7 years ago, a research was conducted, facilitated by BirdLife Africa and IUCN, and it was discovered that vulture was declining at a very alarming rate. Especially in Nigeria, we were fast losing the “Nature”s Sanitary Officers” to threats such as religious belief, electrocution, loss of habitat, illegal trading etc.” he said.
Mr. Ayodele Alamu while presenting a brief talk on the journey so far, stated the efforts NCF has made in tackling rapid decline of vulture emphasise that the Foundation has been to many states in Nigeria because of this project. He revealed that Africa has about 11 vulture species and 6 of which could be found in Nigeria, are at the verge of extinction if drastic steps are not taken.
Nigeria is home to seven out of the eleven vultures that exist in Africa. They are Egyptian Vulture- Neophronpercnopterus (Endangered), Hooded Vulture – Necrosyrtesmonachus (Endangered), White-backed Gypsafricanus (Endangered), White-headed – Trigonocepsoccipitalis (Vulnerable), Ruppell’s Griffon – Gyprueppellii (Endangered), Palm-nut Vulture – Gypohieraxangolensis (Least Concern) and Lappet-faced Vulture -Torgostracheliotus – (Endangered).The only species that seems to be thriving in the country are the Hooded Vulture and Palm-nut Vulture.
Mariam Longe in her response revealed that being an Ambassador for this campaign in the past 2 years motivated her to publish a book to the delight of children, a well illustrated colourful book titled “Vultures to the rescue! The clean up crew”.
Seun Akindele while appreciating this opportunity to serve as a campaign ambassador shared that his visit to Gambia where he saw birds flying allover, including vulture left him wondering what happen to Nigeria that some species of birds are fast disappearing.
The Ambassadors pledged their commitment to this project. Theys were presented with awards. This was jointly done by NCF Life Fellows, Mr. Olakunle Falola and Mrs. Magret Akinsefunmi.
Save Vulture project is funded by EU-Life and United State Fish and Wildlife Services.
