Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation has announced the signing of a 30-year long agreement with the Edo state government for conservation/eco-tourism concession in Okomu South and Gele-Gele Forest reserves.
ANI Foundation announced the move on Wednesday via its Twitter handle.
The foundation highlighted the benefit of the agreement for not only the indigenes but also some endangered species.
“These two areas are contiguous with Okomu National Park. We hope to create a larger conservation landscape that will benefit both the local people and endangered forest elephants,” ANI Foundation tweeted.
“The larger conservation landscape in Edo State will benefit wildlife and improve the livelihoods of the local communities and farmers.”
Kada Ngbale a governance, policy and culture enthusiast congratulated and commended both parties referring to the pact as historic and as a pace setter. He expressed hope that other states will follow Edo’s example.
“I look forward to seeing Adamawa and Taraba States where bestride the Gashaka Gumpti National Park sign a deal as important as this in the near future,” Ngbale said.
However, in an exchange of tweets with the culture enthusiast, ANI Foundation revealed that in collaboration with the Federal Government in 2017, it had signed a similar 30-year agreement with the National Park Service regarding Gashaka Gumti National Park.
ANI also stated that there is a similar agreement between it and the Nigeria Parks for Okomu National Park also in Edo State which was signed in May 2022.
