The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Abuja, in collaboration with the Lagos-based youth-centered sustainability non-profit organization SustyVibes, has issued a call to action for Nigerian youths to safeguard biodiversity and prevent the extinction of animal and plant species.
Deputy Ambassador Johannes Lehne of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany delivered this message during the Bioverse NG national conference in Abuja, as reported in a statement on Saturday.
The conference, themed ‘The Indispensable Role of Youth in Nigeria’s Biodiversity,’ convened Nigerian youths, government representatives, and global stakeholders to address the nation’s biodiversity challenges.
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Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Lehne underscored the significant threats facing Nigeria’s diverse biodiversity in recent decades.
He emphasized the risk of extinction faced by hundreds of animal species and thousands of plant species due to habitat loss resulting from widespread deforestation. Lehne stressed the importance of educating Nigerian youth on biodiversity to positively impact the country’s natural heritage.
Echoing Lehne’s concerns, Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, the National Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, emphasized the need for young people to identify gaps and develop nature-based solutions with economic value.
Founder of SustyVibes, Jennifer Uchendu, hailed the conference as a historic milestone, providing a platform to showcase months of work on the Bioverse NG project. Uchendu highlighted the event’s significance in empowering young Nigerians to actively engage in biodiversity protection and climate advocacy efforts.
