The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged Edo youths to leverage their creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit to develop innovative solutions to conserve the ecosystem and preserve wildlife.
The governor gave the charge in commemoration of World Wildlife Day, celebrated every March 3, by the United Nations and its partner institutions focused on wildlife preservation.
Acknowledging the important role that young people play in shaping the future and contributing to the development of society, Obaseki said his government will sustain policies and reforms to guarantee a safe and conducive environment for youths in the state to realize their fullest potential.
According to him, “This year’s World Wildlife Day presents another fine opportunity to review efforts, strengthen partnerships and reaffirm our commitment to preserving the world’s diverse flora and fauna, which is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, providing essential ecosystem services such as pollination and nutrient cycling, offering cultural and recreational value, generating economic benefits such as tourism, and providing important opportunities for scientific research.
“This is why, as a government, we have sustained efforts at conserving the ecosystem and preserving our wildlife, and are strengthening partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including conservationists, agriculturists, and environmentalists, among others in this regard.”
He further noted, “We acknowledge the innovative potential of Edo youths and their ingenuity in proffering solutions to global problems, and urge them to embrace innovation and technology, leveraging their creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit to contribute to the global efforts to preserve wildlife. By harnessing the power of technology, our young people can create sustainable solutions that will not only protect our planet’s natural resources but also provide economic benefits for our communities.”
Obaseki said the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation,’ highlights the importance of partnership for wildlife conservation, as it requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders to protect and conserve the planet’s biodiversity, adding, “By collaborating and developing better policies and legal frameworks, we can safeguard our wildlife assets and ensure a sustainable future for current and future generations.”
Assuring the government’s support for the youths, he added, “On our part as a government, we will continue to provide an enabling environment for the youth to thrive and succeed. We will provide a regulatory framework that supports innovation and promote entrepreneurship. We will also sustain the collaboration with private sector organizations and development partners to provide the necessary infrastructure and technology to facilitate the youth’s efforts to preserve wildlife.”
