UNESCO  is training members of the Oban community in Cross River on biodiversity businesses around the Oban Biosphere Reserve for its conservation and sustainable development.

It is in line with the ‘Nigeria-UNESCO Biodiversity Business in Oban Biosphere Reserve, Omo Biosphere Reserve, and Shere Hills Reserve Nigeria: A Means to Poverty Reduction, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Nigeria’.

The week-long Oban community training involves 12 communities, namely Old Netim, Nsan, Obung, Ojor, Nsofang, New Ekuri, Old Ekuri, Neghe, Oban, Osomba, Orem, and Ojok.

Sponsored by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, the project is also in collaboration with the Nigerian Man and Biosphere Committee, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, and the National Park Service.

Enang Moma, national professional officer (Natural Science Sector) at UNESCO in Abuja, said the training was designed to conserve biodiversity and create wealth through the establishment of biodiversity businesses.

“People depend on biodiversity for their livelihoods, but it has to be done in a sustainable manner, in a way that the biodiversity is conserved, because biodiversity is important for so many things.

“Biodiversity is important for climate change adaptation, food production, but we want to ensure that the people depend on biodiversity in a sustainable manner.

“It is going to improve livelihood and reduce poverty, create wealth, and we are looking at creating women and young entrepreneurs for development and gender inclusivity,” the officer said.

The UNESCO officer added that on average, five people would be trained from each family.

“We will establish this pilot for them to start so that they will be able to do these things in a sustainable manner and also encourage cooperation. At the end of the day, it should be that we have affected about 2,500 people,” she explained.

Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, said the training would provide communities with opportunities to benefit from the sustainable use of natural resources while safeguarding the ecological integrity of their environments.

Mr Lawal said that environmental education would deepen understanding of ecological systems, hence promoting stewardship among communities.

“Environmental education is important in this regard to promote community responsibility, and for this reason, livelihood development and business management are integrated into this project as crucial instruments for attaining sustainability.

“By equipping participants with management and entrepreneurial skills, we are promoting the development of nature-based businesses that enhance local resources, alleviate poverty, and promote sustainable production methods,’’ he said.

(NAN)