The federal government says it will enact a legal framework for protecting endangered species in the country to address the risk of extinction.

The director of the forestry department at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Ama Moses, said this during a two-day workshop on “Reducing Demand for Vultures in Traditional Medicine Practices” on Friday in Kano.

The workshop was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).

Represented by a staff member in the ministry, Tijjani Zakirai, Mr Moses said the bill had been passed by the National Assembly and would be signed into law soon.

He said that when enacted, the legislation would prescribe stiffer penalties for those involved in hunting endangered species to curb wildlife trade.

Mr Moses said the federal government had taken several measures to address the menace, such as the development of a National Vulture Conservation Plan aimed at reversing the decline in vulture populations.

He said other measures included nationwide awareness, education, and sensitisation campaigns, as well as stakeholder engagement on the ecological importance of vultures.

In his remarks, the director-general of NCF, Joseph Onoja, represented by Stella Egbe, Species Programme Lead, stated that the forum provided an opportunity to promote vulture conservation efforts nationwide.

In his welcome address, NCF Northern zonal coordinator, Garba Boyi, said the engagement aimed to bring stakeholders together to strategise on reducing threats to endangered species.

Also, Special Adviser to Governor Abba Yusuf on Wildlife Conservation, Ahmad Sawaba, said the state government was honoured to host the event.

The workshop drew participants from traditional healers, herbal medicine practitioners, conservation groups, NGOs, government agencies, and the media.

It also featured paper presentations and discussions on conservation strategies.

(NAN)