By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Wild Life Society of Nigeria has honoured the Late Military Governor of Kano State,Police Commissioner Audu Bako, for establishing the famous Kano Zoological Garden during his tenure.
Late Audu Bako established the Kano Zoological Garden on the then outskirts of Kano city in 1972.
The society also honoured among other beneficiaries, a former Governor of the state and the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP),Sen.Rabiu Kwankwaso, for preserving and improving the Kano Zoological Garden during his two-term tenure – 1999 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015.
The occasion saw Bako and Kwankwaso receiving Awards at the 6th Annual Conference of the society organized in conjunction with the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, on Tuesday.
Hajiya Zainab Audu Bako received the Award on behalf of her late father, while the Kano State Commissioner for Higher Education,Dr Yusuf Kofar Mata, received the honour on behalf of Kwankwaso.
Declaring the conference open,Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf underscored the significance of wildlife preservation, saying protection and nurturing of fauna and flora is a collective responsibility for economic development and protection of the environment.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Higher Education,Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, Yusuf stressed the need for a stronger synergy with local hunters in wildlife conservation activities.
“The protection of the wildlife is a service not only to mankind but also to our Creator, the Almighty. We need to do that,”he said.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university,Prof.Musa Yakasai, noted that the institution had comparative advantage in wildlife conservation as it initiated the establishment of a mini zoo on its campus.
He said the university with more than 28,000 students had all its courses fully accredited with state-of-the-art facilities.
“All our Programmes have attained full accreditation and our students are enjoying free internet service for easy learning,” Yakasai said.
The National President, Wildlife Society of Nigeria,Prof. Augustine Ogogo, said preservation of wildlife had become imperative as wildlife offered both natural and economic opportunities in the society.
Ogogo stressed the need to preserve and protect wildlife as well as safeguard its heritage.
He called on State Governors who had zoological gardens and parks under watch care to ensure their protection and preservation.