- Names It Oba Hills National Park
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Tuesday handed over the Oba Hills Forest Reserve in Iwo to the Federal Government, while also reaffirming his commitment to environmental sustainability.
The move according to the state Governor is part of the state’s effort to promote conservation and protect the environment.
During the handing over at the Governor’s office in Osogbo the state capital, Adeleke explained that the forest is a home to five unique hills which provide habitats for diverse plants and animals.
According to him, the animals species are endangered due to various activities which include, hunting, logging among other human factors.
He, however reiterated that Osun state government remains deeply interested in the operations of the park, and it recognizes the critical role of ecosystem in reducing global warming and ensuring sustainable development.
His words, “Oba Hills Forest Reserve, now to be known as Oba Hills National Park, spans about 4,225 hectares across Iwo, Ejigbo, and Ola-Oluwa Local Government Areas. This forest reserve hosts varieties of ecological value. The site is also home to five unique hills which provide habitats for diverse plants and animals.
“We regret to note that some of these species are endangered due to activities such as logging, hunting, and other human factors. It was for this reason that the Osun State Government engaged the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in April 2013 to conduct a comprehensive survey of the reserve. The findings revealed a high degree of degradation, which calls for urgent intervention.
“In response, Osun State reached out to the National Park Service to propose the reserve’s upgrade to National Park status. In 2021, this request was granted. Today, we witnessed the realization of that effort.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to the Conservator-General and the entire National Park Service for their total commitment to facilitate this handover process.
“As we transfer the management of Oba Hills Forest Reserve to the National Park Service, I must stress that Osun State remains deeply interested in the operations of the park. Today’s event aligns with our broader climate change agenda, as we recognize the critical role of ecosystem in reducing global warming and ensuring sustainable development. He added.
Governor Adeleke continued by urging the National Park service to prioritize the recruitment of qualified indigenes of Osun state
“I also urge the National Park Service to prioritise the recruitment of qualified indigenes of Osun State as officers and men to operate the park. Local content is a state policy here in Osun state. The policy strengthens benefits for local communities and facilitates local ownership. We seek enforcement of that policy in the operations of the park. He advised.
Earlier in his address, The Honourable Minister for Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, represented by Conservator General of National park service Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni accepted the Oba Hill Forest Reserve as a National Park under the Federal Government. He commended Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, for handing over the reserve, highlighting their shared commitment to conservation.
The minister, also noted that the park will become an ecotourism hotspot, generating economic opportunities and showcasing Nigeria’s natural beauty
“The service will absorbs indigene of this state who indicated interest in working with the Federal Government and tax (Paye) will be remitted to the State. There are opportunities for indigent contractors and other jobs seekers to be empowered.
“Apart from the carbon credit market that will improve the resources of the state, opportunities abounds for access to Green funds, climate funds and many other infrastructure such as roads, portable water, from solar powered bore-holes, procurement of drugs and educational material are some of those benefits that the service could provide as part of its corporate social responsibility in collaboration with Donor agencies and development partners such as United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), African Nature Investor ANI), United Nation Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Sustainable Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Global Environment Facility (GEF) etc. Small and medium scale businesses and agro forestry provided by our evelopment partners will also improve the lots of the rural poor especially women thereby minimizing their vulnerability to climate change”, he noted.
