Speaking during the session, Ambassador Gieseb highlighted Namibia’s successful elephant conservation efforts, noting that his country has managed to increase its elephant population from 7,000 to 21,000 through a dedicated Elephants Protection and Management Scheme.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Republic of Namibia has expressed its interest in partnering with Nigeria to support the country’s efforts in growing its elephant population.
This announcement was made by the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria, Ambassador Humphrey Gieseb, during a recent virtual panel discussion hosted as part of this year’s World Tourism Day activities.
The event, organized by Eritage Africa in collaboration with the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) Bayelsa State Chapter, and Azaiki Library, focused on the theme of harnessing tourism for peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and economic development in the Niger Delta.
Speaking during the session, Ambassador Gieseb highlighted Namibia’s successful elephant conservation efforts, noting that his country has managed to increase its elephant population from 7,000 to 21,000 through a dedicated Elephants Protection and Management Scheme. “Currently, our total number of elephants is around 24,000. By contrast, Nigeria’s elephant population stands at approximately 400. We are ready to engage with Nigeria to explore ways we can assist in boosting these numbers,” he said.
The High Commissioner emphasized that a partnership in this area would not only support biodiversity and conservation but could also serve as a catalyst for eco-tourism development in Nigeria.
Commenting on the tourism potential of the Niger Delta, Co-Convener of the conference, Tamunotonye Pamela, remarked that many communities in the region, such as Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, are relatively peaceful with untapped tourism potential. She expressed optimism that the discussions at the event would pave the way for collaborative partnerships between government agencies, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders to drive tourism development, especially in the Niger Delta region.
Justina Ovat, a hospitality expert based in Calabar, also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the three fundamental elements necessary for tourism to thrive: reliable transportation, adequate hospitality infrastructure such as hotels and restaurants, and a compelling reason for tourists to visit. She noted that the Niger Delta region possesses all these elements and has the potential to attract both domestic and international tourists.
The panel discussions sought to explore how tourism can be a tool for promoting peace and fostering socio-economic development in Nigeria, with particular attention to the Niger Delta’s rich cultural and natural assets.
Join our Channel...