(Posted 07th October 2024)
Courtesy of African Elephants News and Vanguard
The High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to Nigeria, Ambassador Humphrey Gieseb, has expressed his country’s interest in partnering with Nigeria to bolster the conservation of Africa’s elephant population.
Speaking during a virtual panel session to mark World Tourism Day, Ambassador Gieseb highlighted Namibia’s success in growing its elephant population and offered to collaborate with Nigeria to help restore its declining numbers.
The panel discussion, organized by Eritage Africa in collaboration with the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (Bayelsa State Chapter) and the Azaiki Library, focused on the theme Harnessing the Potentials of Tourism for Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution, and Economic Development in the Niger Delta.
During one of the sessions, Ambassador Gieseb shared Namibia’s experience with elephant conservation, stating: “Through concerted efforts and adopting a dedicated Elephants Protection and Management scheme, we have tripled our elephant population from 7,000 to 21,000. Today, Namibia has about 24,000 elephants. By comparison, Nigeria’s elephant population is currently around 400. We are ready to engage with Nigeria and offer assistance in boosting its elephant numbers.”
The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration between the two countries to protect and grow Nigeria’s elephant population, which has seen a significant decline due to poaching and habitat loss.
Tourism in the Niger Delta: A Missed Opportunity
Drawing comparisons with the Niger Delta, Tamunotonye Pamela, Co-Convener of the virtual conference, pointed out that many communities in the region, including Yenagoa, enjoy relative peace and have immense tourism potential. However, she lamented that these areas receive little media attention regarding their current status. She expressed hope that the discussions would foster partnerships between government agencies, non-profits, and the private sector to unlock the region’s tourism potential, especially in Bayelsa State.
Hospitality expert Justina Ovat, speaking during the event, identified three fundamental elements required for tourism development: transportation infrastructure, hospitality facilities like hotels and restaurants, and compelling reasons for tourists to visit. She noted that the Niger Delta region has all these components but remains largely untapped. “The attractions and activities are there to make visits worthwhile, but we need to strengthen the overall tourism framework,” she said.
Ambassador Kenule Nwiya, also on the panel, suggested that integrating traditional riverine sports such as boat regattas into national events could help preserve local culture while promoting tourism. “By supporting traditional sports, we can encourage communities to thrive and showcase their heritage to the world,” Nwiya added.
Tourism Panorama Conference: Driving Collaboration
The hybrid Tourism Panorama conference concluded with a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty Sir Benson Egwenre, Secretary of TROMCOM. The royal father commended the organizers, describing the event as a success. He highlighted the vital role tourism plays in showcasing cultural heritage and the natural beauty of regions like the Niger Delta.
