The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment in establishing the Forest Guard initiative through the Office of the National Security Adviser, in collaboration with sub-national governments, to train approximately 137,000 Forest Guards across the country.

This is already complementing the efforts of Park Rangers in securing Nigeria’s natural heritage and it hopes the initiative will eliminate criminals in our forest areas, and so far, trainings have been conducted in 11 states of the Federation, while plans are ongoing to bring the remaining ones on board.

Speaking at this year’s World Ranger Day in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the ministry is currently partnering with the Office of the National Security Adviser to train Forest Guards as efforts are geared toward enhancing capabilities in carrying out the daunting tasks of forest policing and protection.

“We routinely organise training workshops and grant approval for Service personnel to undergo capacity-building programmes both within and outside the country, are also building networks with international organisations to complement efforts in biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.”

The Minister added, “we are confronting the organised criminals; terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers, bandits, using forest areas as hideouts and safe havens to perpetrate heinous acts, while rangers are climate first-responders, community mediators, law enforcement and intelligence officers for nature.”

He emphasized that  Nigeria is indeed taking her rightful position in the global space as far as environmental issues are concerned, adding, the task ahead remains monumental, and climate change does not respect park boundaries, and changing planet needs changing strategies.

Also speaking, Chairman, governing board of National Park Service, Kingsley Ononogbu  said this year’s theme, “Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet,” is not only apt but timely in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, invasive species, and increasing human pressures that are reshaping our landscapes and seascapes.

Ononogbu declared: Today we stand in gratitude and in solemn commitment to strengthen rangers’ safety and wellbeing, to ensure that they have the training, equipment, and support their needs, and to honour the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for conservation and humanity at large.

According to him, the board has approved the promotion of 606 officers and men (Senior: 302; Junior: 304) and men, harmonisation of the ranking system in alignment with other paramilitary agencies in the country

He therefore commended four (4) rangers for outstanding performance like CPI Justina Undelikwo (Distinguished Service Award), CPI Dorcas Sambo (Distinguished Service Award), PPI Ibrahim Adamu Etsu (Ranger of the Year Award) and APW I Abubakar Hammangabdo (Medal of Valour Award).