The Health Is Wealth for Life Sustainability in Africa (HEWELISA) and the National Park Service (NPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote environmental sustainability, public health awareness and conservation.

The ​‌⁠​‍‍⁠⁠‍​‍‍‌‍‌​‌‌​MoU was signed in Abuja on Wednesday, focusing on capacity building, skills acquisition and health extension services for park rangers and support zone communities.

The five-year partnership aims to alleviate poverty, improve livelihoods in host communities, promote sustainable environmental conservation and protect Nigeria’s natural resources.

The Chief Executive Officer of HEWELISA, Ganiyat Oladeji, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, appreciating the confidence reposed in her organisation and the NPS’s willingness to collaborate on the initiative.

Mrs Oladeji said the MoU represented more than the signing of a document, describing it as a shared vision, commitment to partnership and determination to promote environmental sustainability, public health awareness, conservation and the well-being of present and future generations.

She added that a healthy environment was essential for healthy communities, while healthy communities were fundamental to national development.

Mrs Oladeji said the partnership reflected a shared understanding that the health and welfare of park rangers and support zone communities were closely linked to environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources.

She assured the Service of her organisation’s commitment to fulfilling the terms of the MoU, adding that the collaboration would positively impact communities and contribute to a healthier, greener and more sustainable Nigeria.

Responding, the Conservator-General of the NPS, Dr Ibrahim Goni, said HEWELISA would be required to adopt a structured progress-reporting system.

He said the organisation would submit monthly or quarterly reports on activities and achievements to ensure accountability, effective coordination and proper programme monitoring.

Mr Goni explained that the MoU was not sacrosanct and could be amended by mutual agreement between both parties, where necessary, to accommodate emerging needs and improve implementation.

(NAN)