Nigerian Conservation Foundation

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) is an environmental non-governmental organization that promotes environmental tourism with the goal of expanding awareness of Nigeria's natural resources and creating economic incentives.[1] Founded in 1980 by Shafi Edu, the Foundation has since undertaken numerous resource management and conservation projects across Nigeria.[2] Chief Ede Dafinone is the current Chairman of the Foundation, and Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano is the Director-General.[3]

Nigerian Conservation Foundation
Formation1980
HeadquartersLekki, Lagos
Director General
Dr. Onoja Joseph Daniel
Websitehttps://www.ncfnigeria.org/

One of the founders was Akintola Williams.[4] The Akintola Williams Arboretum at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation headquarters in Lagos is named in his honor.[5] It engages in lobbying work both at the national and state levels. It also has a number of educational initiatives to raise awareness of environmental issues in Nigeria. It works with higher education, primary and secondary schools, and the general public through local initiatives in target areas.[6][7] The NCF has called for actions and awareness to conserve the pangolin.[8]

The NCF has partnerships with a number of international environmental groups, including the World Wildlife Fund, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, BirdLife International, Wetlands International, Fauna and Flora International, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.[9][10] It has also partnered with several industry groups, including Chevron and BG Group, in Nigeria's oil and gas industry. The NCF established the Lekki Conservation Centre in 1990, which houses the National Secretariat of the foundation, while their regional office is in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.[11]

In 1992, the NCF was added to the UN Environmental Program's Global 500 Roll of Honour.

According to the Climate Score Card, "NCF is regarded as one of the best environmental NGOs in the country. Currently, they have projects in 9 different states, ranging from the Participatory Forest Management Project in Taraba State to the Management of Becheve Nature Reserve, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Obudu, and Cross River State. Their best practice climate project would have to be the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in Edo state."[2]

Centres

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Organisational structure

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The organisational structure of the foundation is made up of the Board of Trustees (BOT), headed by a president, and the National Executive Council, headed by a chairman. The current President of the Board of Turstees is Izoma Philip Asiodu, CFR, CON, while the Chairman of the National Executive Council is Chief Ede Dafinone.[11]

Achievements

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  • In 1984, the NCF assisted in developing National Conservation Strategy.
  • In 1985, due to the support they gave the government, the Endangered Species Decree was enacted.[16]
  • In 1990, the Lekki Conservation Centre was established by the Foundation.[17][18]
  • In 1992, the NCF founded the Hadejia-Nguru wetland conservation project.[11]
  • NCF has influenced the establishment of FEPA (Federal Environment Protection Agency).[clarification needed]
  • Management of Okomu games before it became a national park.[16]

Projects

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The NCF had done Afi Mountain Reserve and Gashaka Gumti NP, both aiming at conservation of ape and elimination of poverty.[19] The project Vulture Save Zone was carried out to ensure the protection of vultures in Anambra and Enugu, with the training of 38 individuals in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu and 13 individuals from the Awka entity in Anambra.[20]

Planned projects

The coordinator of NCF Green Recovery Nigeria, Folake Salawu, has announced the creation of additional reserves in different areas by partnering with Nigeria's national parks. The location of the reserves will be determined by the stakeholders in the six geopolitical zones as part of the green recovery plan, just after the federal government has allocated space for the intended reserves.[21][22][23]

The Kwara State government is planning to plant 2.5 million trees by 2047 in partnership with the NCF. The project is to involve about 100 communities.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) | International Land Conservation Network". www.landconservationnetwork.org. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b Hansen, Peter (13 May 2021). "Best Climate Practice Nigeria: Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)". Climate Scorecard. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  3. ^ "IUCN - Emmanuel Asuquo Obot (Nigeria)". www.iucn.org. Archived from the original on 20 June 2009.
  4. ^ "The Doyen at 91". The Punch. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Akintola Williams calls for forestry scholarships". Nigerian Conservation Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  6. ^ "NCF Nigeria".
  7. ^ "NCF Nigeria".
  8. ^ "Conservationists seek pangolin protection as Nigeria, others mark day". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  9. ^ "NCF Nigeria".
  10. ^ "Nigeria - Nigerian Conservation Foundation". BirdLife International. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d "ncfnigeria". NCFNIGERIA.
  12. ^ "Lekki Conservation Centre (Lagos) - 2022 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  13. ^ "NCF Nigeria". ncfnigeria.org. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  14. ^ "BECHEVE NATURE RESERVE". BusinessList.com.ng. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  15. ^ "Finima Nature Park: Conserving nature, biodiversity". The Nation Newspaper. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Nigerian Conservation Foundation". www.cfa-international.org. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  17. ^ "The Longest Canopy Walkway in Africa". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  18. ^ Ugorji, Ebube (10 January 2021). "Lekki Conservation Centre Nigeria: Features, gate fees and what to do". Sidomex Entertainment. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) | PCLG". www.povertyandconservation.info. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  20. ^ Aliogo, Ugo (25 March 2022). "NCF Makes Case for Conservation of Vultures". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  21. ^ Ali, Rabi'u Sani (25 March 2022). "NCF set to create 10 additional reserves". News Agency of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  22. ^ "NCF set to create 10 additional reserves". Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022 – via PressReader.
  23. ^ Emmanuel, Pelumi (25 March 2022). "NCF sets to create 10 additional reserves". TDPel Media. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Kwara, NCF plan to plant 2.5m trees by 2047". Tribune Online. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
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"Nigerian Conservation Foundation".