Nigeria’s first female VC to meet intellectuals on ending illegal wildlife trade

Grace Alele-Williams, Nigeria first female vice chancellor; Hilary Inyang, chairman of International Energy Services Limited; Diran Fawibe and a host of intellectuals would converge on Lagos for World Environment Day forum in Lagos.

The event scheduled for June 3, 2016 at the Nigerian German Business Association House, opposite Protea hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, seeks to end illegal wildlife trade.

Alele-Williams, who is a professor of mathematics, said that the environment remains a very important resource which should be utilised and preserved for future generations.

Inyang, who will be the keynote, said the event is very important, especially as many environmental assets have already been destroyed in several parts of the world, including Nigeria.

He said there was a great need to use the platform provided by this year’s world environment day to appraise the extent of damage, policies, and practices as well as adopt new ways and means of protecting and preserving the environment.

The professor said he would be speaking on the major themes and threats in Africa’s national, regional and continental environments.

Lawrence Ezemonye, deputy vice chancellor (administration), University of Benin, would speak on the roles of habits, hobbies and occupations in the extinction of wildlife in Nigeria and other African nations.

Deji Haastrup, general manager, policy, government and public affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited is expected to speak on “Conservation as Key to Protection and Preservation of Environment: Sharing the Nigerian Conservation Centre experience”.

Dorathy Bassey of the department of petroleum resources would speak on “Ecological Fund: understanding the issues, risks and opportunities”.

Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, executive director, Spaces for Change, would also speak on “Understanding the Legal Issues Associated with Illegal Trade in Wildlife in Nigeria and other Developing Countries”.

The organisers, International Energy Communications Limited and its collaborating organisations said Fawibe would chair the event.

It disclosed that Ibe Kachikwu, the minister of state for petroleum resources, Ibe Kachikwu and the minister of environment have also been invited to attend as guests of honour.

The event would attract stakeholders such as global and regional organisations, federal and state ministries, agencies and parrastatals, corporate institutions, local governments, corporate organisations, international oil companies, indigenous oil and gas companies, contractors and suppliers, financial institutions, environmentalists, consultants, scholars and students from Nigeria and overseas.

The company said it is just a few weeks away, the World Environment Day; WED would be celebrated in different parts of the world.

It said that from 1973 when the celebration started to 2015, stakeholders have adopted different themes to mark the event.

It disclosed that the theme for this year’s celebration – illegal trade in wildlife – is very central to many African nations, including Nigeria.

The event would create the opportunity to review the state of national, regional and global environment with particular reference to illegal trade in wildlife.

“It would also bridge the gap between the various stakeholders and journalists needed to inform and educate the public on environment and related issues,” the organisers said in a statement.

“The event is also aimed at projecting/propagating the contributions and plans of stakeholders through the instrumentality of the mass media and other platforms in order to encourage mass involvement of people and organisations as well as mobilising public support for the execution of measures required to further promote environmental protection and preservation in Africa.”