Experts urge govt to establish pest zoo for tourism

At its golden jubilee and 46th Anniversary of Entomological Society of Nigeria (ESN) in Lagos, the group said that Nigeria was long overdue for a pest zoo that could be a major source of tourist center and an income generation platform.

HAVING acquired a landed property, experts on pest management and members of the Entomological Society of Nigeria have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to favourably consider the proposal to establish a pest zoo in the country.

This feat, if successfully achieved, apart from conserving the nation’s pests, would significantly boost the foreign exchange earnings and increase the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Besides, they have lamented poor funding for various research organizations that have technical knowledge of the pests in order to harmonize their findings for productive use in the economy.

Addressing participants at the golden jubilee and 46th Anniversary of Entomological Society of Nigeria (ESN) in Lagos, the President, Professor Dan Enobakhare explained that Nigeria was long overdue for a pest zoo that could be a major source of tourist centre and an income generation platform.

Enobakhare noted that much as insects damage food, destroy harvested food in storage and often cause loss of entire crops, some insects and arthropods play beneficial roles using their biodiversity and ecosystem for benefits of mankind. The university don explained that given the diverse nature of pests in Nigeria and the need to maximize their benefits, ESN had always been at the forefront of establishing a pest museum in Nigeria.

According to the president, ESN had acquired a large expanse of land but needed involvement of the Federal Government to establish a pest museum, which will ultimately enhance Nigerian’s Gross Domestic Product.

“It is incredible to know that African Livestock for example succumb easily in their millions to insect and tick borne diseases which result in losses of milk, meat and traction power with huge yearly momentary losses.