Monarchs laud ANI for improved security in Nigeria’s largest park

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Lamdo Gashaka, Alhaji Hamman Gabdo Sambo, and the Third-Class Chief of Mayo-Salbe, Alhaji Yerma Thomas, in Taraba State, have commended the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation for its efforts in enhancing security and conservation at the Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria’s largest park.

The monarchs expressed their appreciation during a media tour organized by the Africa Nature Investors Foundation at Gashaka Gumti National Park on Tuesday.

They described the foundation’s partnership with the park as crucial in restoring law and order within and around the park. The chiefs emphasized that the foundation’s efforts have significantly improved security and conservation in the area.

Speaking during the tour, the Chief of Gashaka, Alhaji Zubairu Hamman Gabdo Sambo, highlighted how the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ANI and the Gashaka Gumti National Park Service in 2021 transformed the security situation in Gashaka Local Government Area.

He also noted that the foundation’s activities have provided valuable training opportunities for local residents, enhancing the economy of the state. These trainings include skills such as tailoring, rice milling, and community park ranger programs, as well as savings and loan schemes.

“Africa Nature Investors is doing a great job in the development of Gashaka Gumti National Park,” he said. “Since they signed an agreement with the National Park Service in 2021, we’ve witnessed numerous contributions, including the donation of helicopters, firearms, and the training of park rangers.”

“I must commend the foundation for training community park rangers to prevent poaching and unauthorized entry into the park, especially by pastoralists and hunters who previously entered without control. Thanks to ANI, security in the park has greatly improved.”

He further assured, “We no longer experience cases of kidnapping, armed banditry, or illegal mining in the park.”

The Chief also highlighted the positive impact ANI has had on the local youth and women, stating, “Since 2021, ANI has been training and providing starter packs such as rice milling machines, sewing machines, and maize milling machines to boost food production in our community.”

Similarly, the Third-Class Chief of Mayo-Salbe, Yerima Thomas, expressed gratitude to the foundation for its efforts in wildlife conservation and empowering the local population.

“We won’t allow the continued destruction of our ecology. Many kidnappers have previously threatened the park, but ANI has helped curb these activities by employing our youths to safeguard the park,” he said.

During the media tour, the Community Liaison Officer of the ANI Foundation, Mr. David Peter, emphasized the importance of conserving wildlife in the park and called on other NGOs to partner with the National Park Service to attract both national and international tourists.