by Frank Ikpefan, Abuja
The Jigawa government has handed the Hadejia Wetland Game Reserve as a National Park to be operated by the Federal Government.
Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi handed the park to the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal on behalf of the Federal Government.
The minister, who was represented by the Conservator-General, National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Goni said the park would “undoubtedly become an eco-tourism hotspot, attracting visitors from far and wide.”
He said: “Hadejia Wetlands Game Reserve holds a delicate balance that sustains life and provides crucial ecosystem services. It serves as a sanctuary for numerous wildlife species, including birds, amphibians, and fishes, and safeguards biodiversity.
The Park will undoubtedly become an eco-tourism hotspot, attracting visitors from far and wide. This presents an excellent opportunity to showcase the natural beauty and cultural diversity of the Nigerian landscape while generating economic opportunities for local communities. The potential for sustainable job creation, increased revenue, and community development should not be underestimated.
“The journey of upgrading the Hadejia Wetlands Game Reserve to a National Park began in 2011 when the Jigawa state government expressed interest in the upgrade. In November 2020, the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, approved the upgrade of ten (10) Forest and Game Reserves to National Parks, including Hadejia Wetlands, bringing the total number of National Parks in Nigeria to seventeen (17). Establishing these Parks aligns with our country’s efforts to achieve global biodiversity conservation targets outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and improve internal security. The ten (10) new National Parks are as follows: