Nature enthusiasts, conservationists and environmentalists gathered in Lagos for a cycling event organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in a bid to create awareness on vulture conservation in the country on Saturday, September 21, 2019 tagged “A Mile for the Egyptian Vultures”.
Over 100 bike riders and others assembled at the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) to rally for vultures through a project being executed by NCF called “Egyptian Vulture New-Life Project.”
The procession commenced at LCC at 8:30am through the Lekki-Epe Expressway, to Sandfill Bus-stop and back to LCC amidst pomp and pageantry to create an impactful awareness campaign, calling on people to stop vulture killing, use in traditional belief-based use and sales in its parts.
Director General of NCF, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano, in his welcome address, appreciated all the participants and urged them to carry on the campaign till the goal is achieved.
A Council Member of NCF, Dr. Ade Alakija, gave a health pep talk. While the Director Technical Programmes of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja, gave a motivating statement as the riders set out.
The environmentalists revealed that, according to researches, vultures would soon go into extinction if drastic efforts are not made to stop the threats against the species.
Vultures have been described as nature’s sanitary officers, carrion feeders that render clean-up services of the environment. Scientists say they rid the environment of carcasses and rubbish, thereby preventing the spread of diseases.
The cycling event is a follow-up to the International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) commemoration activities that NCF carried out in four cities in Nigeria, namely: Sokoto (Sokoto State), Jalingo (Taraba State), Enugu (Enugu State) and Ibadan (Oyo State) earlier in the month.
In attendance were Save Vulture Campaign Ambassadors, a movie actor, Yomi Fash-Lanso, and a musician; Tito da fire.
Lekki Concession Company, the managers of Lekki Toll and Lekki-Epe Expressway lend their support through effective management of traffic flow and provision of security.
