By Anthony Uwadiegwu
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) and the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) have initiated a move to save gorillas from extinction in Nigeria.
Part of the move was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a Scholarship that will see five Post graduates undertake researches to preserve, and conserve Gorilla Wildlife in Cross River State.
The MoU will see the Foundation Sponsoring four Masters and one Doctoral student for five years.
According to the Director, External Relations and Partnership, UNICAL, Prof. Peter Okafor, the scholarships are intended for graduate students in relevant disciplines to undertake researches that would foster community-based efforts to preserve and conserve gorilla wildlife in Cross River state and the environment.
He said, “The students selected for the scholarship would be admitted into Amy of the following departments in UNICAL; Environmental Education, Environmental and Resource Management, Forestry and Wildlife Resource Management, Geography and Environmental Sciences, Tourism Studies, Zoology, and Environmental Biology.
“The current relationship with NCF started in September 2021 when we were approached by NCF for possible collaboration in the preservation and conservation of gorilla wildlife.
“We held several meetings with their Cross River State representative, officers from their headquarters, and even their foreign partners (Calgary Zoo, Canada) who visited our campus on the 28th of February, 2022. Those meetings yielded the results we are formalising today by signing of the MoU between UNICAL and NCF.”
On his part, the Director-General of NCF, Dr Joseph Onoja, said its collaboration was a welcome development for the future of gorillas and scientific advancement, especially in preservation, conservation, and beyond.
He hinted that initially in the science world it was believed that gorillas were extinct until 1982 when some of them were discovered in some parts of Cross River but we’re threatened.
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“We want to create a connection of what is happening in the wild in the zoo, we were contacted by Calgary Zoo all in a bid to see how to protect Cross River gorilla.
“We need more scientific work to be done so that we can continue to bequeath to the next generation information and a sense of responsibility
“With the knowledge, that is passed, we can preserve Cross River gorilla and more, so we are deeply committed to seeing this happen within the stipulated period,” Onoja said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Obi expressed excitement adding that NCF played a key role in building her into who she was today.
“NCF has been a great partner with the University, It’s a famous conservation foundation unit in Nigeria.
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Today there is a lot of logging, deforestation but we still have the rain forest which must be protected. They have done a lot of research in Cross River most environmental organisation were the product of their immense contribution to the state.
“I want to commend, NCF for their contributions in terms of data, research, books, and more that they have been sponsoring, I thank you for partnering with us to train four Master’s and one Doctoral student,” she said.
