By Usman Aliyu
The African Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, working with the National Park Service (NPS), has begun recruitment of 40 new rangers to strengthen law-enforcement operations at the Okomu National Park in Edo.
Mr Peter Abanyam, ANI Project Manager at Okomu, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the park.
Abanyam said that nearly 200 young people turned up for the ongoing screening exercise, a sharp increase to the 53 applicants recorded three years ago.
“What we are seeing now is a complete turnaround. Back then, we struggled to get people interested.
“It shows communities are beginning to see conservation as their responsibility,” Abanyam said.
He explained that the recruitment deliberately targets neighbouring communities, a shift from earlier practices that sourced candidates from distant locations.
According to him, local recruitment fosters emotional attachment to the land and strengthens commitment to protecting wildlife.
Although many applicants met the required physical and mental standards, Abanyam said funding limitations meant only 40 could be absorbed in the current cycle.
He also highlighted a growing female presence in ranger-led enforcement, noting that six women applied and three successfully passed the screening.
“Conservation is not gender-specific. Protection is for everyone. Women often show exceptional perseverance and commitment.
“In past screenings, some outperformed their male counterparts in physical tests,” the ANI manager said.
Mr Osaze Lawrence, Conservator of the Park, described the park as one of Nigeria’s remaining havens for endangered species, including forest elephants.
He said the ANI–NPS partnership had significantly strengthened protection efforts.
“We have pushed illegal activities to the barest minimum. More importantly, communities now feel a sense of ownership of the park and actively support conservation,” he said.
The conservator attributed the progress recorded to sustained engagement with host communities and support from the Federal Ministry of Environment and the leadership of the National Park Service.
Lawrence added that conservation efforts had been complemented by livelihood support, including training in beekeeping and agroforestry, aimed at reducing dependence on forest resources.
“The national park brings opportunities. About 70 per cent of our staff come from surrounding communities.
“Having a national park is something to embrace, and our people are beginning to see that clearly,” he said. Edited by Yakubu Uba
