Channel’s TV has partnered with Wild Africa Fund, an international environmental non-profit, to inspire the protection of Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces, to ramp up public awareness of wildlife conservation and tackle illegal wildlife trade.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Festus Iyorah, Country Director, Wild Africa Fund on Tuesday in Lagos.
The statement said that the partnership would take on the challenge of popularising the protection of Nigeria’s wildlife and forests, inspiring millions of Nigerians to learn more about the environment, and encouraging them to protect the country’s natural heritage for future generations.
The statement quoted Dr. John Momoh OON, the Chairman and CEO of Channels Media Group as saying:
“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.
“By harnessing Channels Television’s expansive reach and Wild Africa Fund’s conservation expertise, we aim to ignite a nationwide movement towards wildlife conservation and curb illegal wildlife trade.
“Together, we will bring the wonders of Nigeria’s wildlife and forests into the homes of millions, educating and inspiring action to safeguard these treasures for our future generations.”
According to the statement, Nigeria has emerged as a major transit hub in the illicit wildlife trade in recent years, notably involving pangolin scales and ivory.
The statement recalled that in the last three years, the Nigeria Customs Service had intercepted about 20,000 kilogrammes of illegal wildlife products as well as live endangered species about to be smuggled out of the country.
It added that beyond the arrests, 12 convictions have been made at the court within three years, with many pending cases.
It said that to raise awareness and inspire action to address these challenges, Channels TV and Wild Africa Fund would collaborate to publicise wildlife-focused content, such as 30-second public service announcements featuring influential Nigerians in sports, music, business, and more.
It said that the TV station would also feature short documentaries that support local conservation efforts and educate millions of Nigerians about the need to protect the environment.
The statement quoted Peter Knights OBE, CEO of Wild Africa Fund, as saying: “Channels TV has a history of environmental coverage, and as our environment is under greater pressure than ever before. Together we can amplify this cause.”
The statement said that under the partnership, Wild Africa Fund would work closely with Channels TV to expand the coverage of its award-winning weekly environment show, Earthfile, to include more reporting on biodiversity issues and reporting trips outside Lagos to document the pressing challenges confronting Nigeria’s wildlife and forests.
It said that beyond programming, both organisations recognise the need to build a network of local journalists who would constantly produce in-depth reporting on the environment.
“This is why, for the first time, the partnership will also introduce conservation-focused media training to improve the capacity of Nigerian journalists at the Channels Academy, a highly respected media training institute in West Africa established in 2017 to train journalists across the region, ” the statement said.
