National Parks Service, Wukari varsity to collaborate in ecotourism, conservation education

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna, Jennifer Jonah, Abuja

The Nigeria National Parks Service has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal University, Wukari in Taraba State to collaborate in ecotourism, research and conservation education.
The MOU was signed by Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of the service, and Prof. Abubakar Kundiri, the Vice Chancellor of the university, at the service headquarters in Abuja yesterday
A statement signed by the Media Assistant to the Conservator-General, National Park Service, Yakubu Zull, said the C-G said that the MoU was the second of its kind since he assumed duty as the Chief Executive of the National Park Service.
Goni called on other institutions of learning to emulate the university to raise the bar in natural science education and conservation of biological biodiversity.
He also stated that the National Parks, which served as a field laboratory to students studying natural sciences in tertiary institutions had so far trained more than 2,000 students.
In his response, The Vice Chancellor Prof.Abubakar Kunduri said the MOU marked a milestone in the advancement of quality education in the university.
He observed that government funding alone could not sustain the operations of the university, hence the need to explore other areas of funding.
“With the MOU, the university will now have access to the Parks’ facilities for research to boost tourism activities that will generate revenue and employment opportunities for the youth.
According to him, the development will also boost revenue and fulfill its mandate.