AFRICA

Nigeria To Build Monument From Crushed Elephant Tusks

Nigeria’s federal government is set to build a monument in Abuja from ashes of crushed elephant tusks to show the importance of the animal to the country and to announce it’s zero tolerance to illegal trading in ivory and tusks.

Speaking at the crushing of 2.5 tonnes of elephant tusks and ivories with market value put at N9.9 billion in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said the ashes of the crushed ivories and tusks would be used to build a monument in Abuja to show to the rest of the world the importance of elephants to that nation and the government’s willingness to do everything to preserve them.

Salako, in his speech at the public disposal of confiscated wildlife stockpiles under the custody of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), noted that sometimes back, Nigeria was suspended from CITES trade because of increase in illegal wildlife trade and lack of adequate enforcement.  This suspension was later lifted by CITES Secretariat in 2011 through a well-coordinated effort of the then Nine (9) membership Inter-Agency Committee on CITES enforcement in Nigeria that was chaired by NESREA.

He said Nigeria has opted for the outright destruction of stockpiles at the NESREA through pulverisation of elephant tusks and ivories, while pangolin scales and other skin products were earlier incinerated on 16th October 2023.

The Minister said the option of outright destruction is aimed at showing the entire world that Nigeria is zero tolerant to illegal wildlife trade at any level and to serve as a deterrent to the illicit wildlife traffickers who uses Nigeria as their transit route.

He said: “We are proud to stand at the forefront of the fight against the illegal ivory trade. Today’s ivory crush is a symbol of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of our natural heritage. By destroying these confiscated ivory stockpiles, we send a strong message that wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated in our country.

“Nigeria is taking a firm stance, and we call on the global community to join hands in eradicating this illicit trade that threatens the very existence of our elephants.”

The Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of NESREA. Professor Aliyu Jauro, on his part, said: “The destruction of the confiscated ivory is a tangible step towards stamping out wildlife trafficking.”

He said: “We stand united against the illegal ivory trade, and our actions today are not only crucial in preserving the majestic elephants for future generations but also in sending a clear message that Nigeria will do whatever it takes to protect our elephants and other endangered wildlife.”

The illegal ivory trade poses a severe threat to elephant populations across Africa, contributing to a steep decline in numbers of these majestic creatures and fueling organised crime. Tens of thousands of elephants are killed each year for their tusks, despite a ban on the international trade in ivory since 1989 by the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The most recent African Elephant Status Report estimates that about 415,000 elephants remain in Africa today compared to over 1.3 million elephants found in the continent in 1979. As few as 400 remain today in Nigeria.

The CEO of the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF), John Scanlon, said: “The Elephant Protection Initiative is honoured to stand with the Government of Nigeria at today’s ivory crush. The destruction of confiscated elephant ivory in Abuja will not, in itself, put an end to the trafficking of elephant ivory. It will, however, ensure that no one will ever profit from this contraband. When coupled with the recent seizures of ivory and the prosecution and conviction of offenders, it also sends a powerful message that Nigeria does not tolerate this illegal trade, and is taking important steps to protect its remaining elephant population.

“We look forward to continuing our support to Nigeria with stockpile management and other conservation-related issues.”

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

President Tinubu Orders Probe Into Prosecution Of Minors From #EndBadGovernance Protests

President Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the arrest, prosecution of minors involved in #EndBadGovernance…

7 hours ago

Musk’s Lawyer Defends $1M-a-Day Giveaway, Denies Illegal Lottery Claims

Musk's $1M giveaway is under legal scrutiny in a Pennsylvania court case as it targets…

7 hours ago

Badenoch Unveils Shadow Cabinet with Jenrick As Shadow Justice Secretary, Patel As Shadow Foreign Secretary

Kemi Badenoch has appointed former rivals Jenrick, Patel, and Stride to senior roles in her…

7 hours ago

Boeing Workers Vote On New Contract To End Seven-Week Strike

Boeing workers voted Monday on a new contract to end a seven-week strike

7 hours ago

Former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Arrested By EFCC For Alleged N1.3 Trillion Diversion

EFCC has arrested ex-Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa for alleged misuse of oil derivation funds, diverting…

7 hours ago

Search for Missing Persons Continues After Deadly Valencia Floods

Barcelona faces severe flooding as search and rescue efforts continue.

9 hours ago