UNEP Lifts Trade Embargo on Nigeria

 

Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, has announced that the United Nations Environment programme (UNEP) has lifted the suspension on trade between Nigeria and other countries in all endangered plant and animal species as well as related products.

She has also asked Nigerians to do everything within the law to protect the country’s wildlife.

According to her, Nigeria stands the risk of losing economic and social opportunities which wildlife presents to the country’s economy in particular and the eco system in general if not properly handled.

“Endangering wild life threatens our personal wellbeing, the livelihood of local communities and our natural heritage,” Mohammed stated this Wednesday. “Wildlife forms a significant part of our biodiversity and plays a unique role as an indicator of ecological change. Without wildlife, we will lose the opportunity of economic and social value which wildlife brings to our ecosystem”.

The minister spoke against the background of World Wildlife Day, which is celebrated every 3rd of March as established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the 20th of December, 2013 at its 68th session.

It is a day set aside for all nations of the world to focus on the critical importance of protecting our Fauna and Flora, (plants and animals) which are our essential and natural heritage for now and future generations. The day offers an opportunity to re-affirm our commitments to the protection and preservation of wildlife.

The theme for this year’s World Wild Life Day is “The future of wildlife is in our hands”.