Channels TV and Wild Africa Fund Forge Alliance to Propel Wildlife Conservation
LAGOS/Nigeria: In a groundbreaking move to champion the preservation of Africa’s natural heritage, Channels TV has joined forces with Wild Africa Fund, a renowned international environmental non-profit. The strategic collaboration, announced by Mr. Festus Iyorah, Country Director of Wild Africa Fund in Lagos on Tuesday, aims to galvanize public support for wildlife conservation and combat the rampant illegal wildlife trade.
The partnership, as outlined in a statement, is poised to elevate awareness regarding the imperative of safeguarding Nigeria’s wildlife and forests, rallying millions of Nigerians to take proactive steps towards environmental stewardship for future generations.
Dr. John Momoh OON, Chairman and CEO of Channels Media Group, expressed enthusiasm for the alliance, affirming, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Wild Africa Fund, a pivotal alliance that underscores our commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich natural heritage.” He emphasized the potent combination of Channels Television’s extensive reach and Wild Africa Fund’s conservation expertise in igniting a nationwide movement toward wildlife protection and curbing illicit wildlife trade.
Highlighting the alarming escalation of Nigeria’s involvement in illegal wildlife trade, the statement underscored recent interceptions by the Nigeria Customs Service, totaling approximately 20,000 kilograms of contraband wildlife products and endangered species. Despite notable enforcement efforts resulting in convictions, the challenge persists, necessitating concerted public engagement.
To address these pressing issues, Channels TV and Wild Africa Fund will collaborate on disseminating wildlife-focused content, including public service announcements featuring influential figures across sports, music, and business sectors. Additionally, the partnership will produce short documentaries to bolster local conservation initiatives and educate the populace on environmental preservation.
Peter Knights OBE, CEO of Wild Africa Fund, commended Channels TV for its history of environmental coverage, underscoring the urgency of amplifying conservation efforts amid escalating environmental threats.
Under the partnership, Wild Africa Fund will collaborate closely with Channels TV to expand the scope of its acclaimed environmental show, Earthfile, incorporating enhanced biodiversity reporting and field expeditions to document the challenges facing Nigeria’s wildlife and forests beyond Lagos.
Recognizing the pivotal role of media in driving environmental discourse, both organizations are committed to nurturing a cadre of local journalists adept in environmental reporting. As part of this endeavor, the partnership will introduce conservation-focused media training at the esteemed Channels Academy, bolstering the capacity of Nigerian journalists to effectively cover environmental issues.
In this groundbreaking collaboration, Channels TV and Wild Africa Fund unite to catalyze a nationwide movement for wildlife conservation, underscoring the imperative of collective action to safeguard Nigeria’s natural treasures for posterity.
