UNESCO commenced biodiversity business training for 10 communities around the Omo Biosphere Reserve in Ogun on Monday.

The six-day training, under the Nigeria–UNESCO Biodiversity Business Project, will ensure that participants from the selected communities are trained in environmental education, biodiversity conservation, and fishery and piggery businesses.

The programme is funded by the India–UN Development Partnership Fund and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, the National Park Service, and the Nigerian Man and Biosphere Committee.

Jean-Paul Abiaga, head of the UNESCO Abuja office, said the event would address a key UNESCO priority area: balancing conservation and sustainable development.

According to him, this is especially important today, as the international community strives to protect 30 per cent of the planet’s land and sea by 2030.

”At UNESCO, our philosophy is simple but powerful: to reconcile nature protection with human development within our biosphere reserves,” said Mr Abiaga. “We count on continued partnership with the state and local communities to ensure the success of this project.”

Mr Abiaga added that the conservation project initiative was one of courage and should inspire everyone to collectively link conservation with community well-being.

”We encourage you to continue this partnership so that together, we can ensure this project delivers real and lasting benefits for both people and nature. UNESCO reaffirms its full commitment to working hand in hand with you to achieve the project’s objectives and to deliver lasting results for the people, the communities and the ecosystems of Nigeria,” he said.

The minister of environment, Balarabe Lawal, in his remarks, described the programme as one that would help the communities profit in the sustainable use of natural resources while preserving the environment’s ecological integrity.

Mr Lawal noted that environmental education was important for promoting community responsibility, while business management and livelihoods were essential instruments for achieving 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. This training, therefore, offers a unique platform to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and promote innovative approaches that align with environmental conservation and local economic development,’’ he said.

He urged all participants to actively engage and develop actionable ideas that could enhance livelihood opportunities while preserving their natural heritage.

Enang Moma, a UNESCO officer, while recalling the validation workshop for the training held in May, said the participants chose two biodiversity-based businesses, piggery and fish farming, for selected development.

Ms Moma noted that the goal of the programme aligned with Nigeria’s National Development Plan, 2021-2025, which targeted poverty reduction and contributed to sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

She added that the training would strengthen the capacity of participants to operate biodiversity-based businesses and green, income-generating livelihoods in a sustainable manner, as well as reduce anthropogenic activities in the forests and ensure conservation.

(NAN)