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Akamkpa: Some participants at the ongoing UNESCO Biodiversity Business training have urged government at different levels to complement UNESCO and donors’ efforts in biodiversity conservation. They also called on the government to enhance the provision of alternative livelihood sources for residents in rural communities. According to News Agency of Nigeria, the participants made these remarks during an interview in Akamkpa, Cross River, at the ongoing Nigeria-UNESCO Biodiversity Business event in Oban Biosphere Reserve. The event includes training for 12 Oban Communities on fishery, poultry, and piggery, aiming to promote poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development in Nigeria. It seeks to create alternative livelihoods and foster sustainable economic development across local communities in Oban Biosphere Reserves. One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Josephine Ayamiza, expressed that the training enhanced her understanding of preserving resources in the biosphere reserve for future generations. She emphasized the importance of educating young ones on the significance of protecting the reserve, highlighting the need for continuity in the training to sustain its underlying ideas. Mr Mbey Paulinus, another beneficiary, shared his realization that negative impacts on the environment ultimately affect human lives. He acknowledged UNESCO’s role in liberating people from ignorance and destructive environmental tendencies, and expressed support for UNESCO and the National Park’s efforts to ensure the park benefits society and humanity. Mrs Sylvia Eno stressed the need to restore wildlife television programs for increased awareness, as they would help reawaken consciousness about preserving biosphere reserves. She committed to educating her community on the importance of protecting the environment, commending UNESCO for the enlightening training. Mrs Felicia Aidam urged state and local governments to engage youths by providing jobs to divert them from exploiting their biosphere reserve. She warned against continuous forest exploitation, emphasizing the need to preserve heritage for future generations. Aidam advocated for government-provided jobs and empowerment for communities to ensure sustainable development. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the program is sponsored by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and is being implemented in collaboration with the Nigerian Man and Biosphere (MAB) Committee, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), and the National Park Service.
