Wild Africa, an environmental NGO, has partnered Nela Duke-Ekpenyong to promote conservation in Nigeria.
Mr Festus Iyorah, Wild Africa Representative in Nigeria, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, in Lagos.
Iyorah said that Duke-Ekpenyong, an award-winning conservationist, investor and entrepreneur, would be raising her voice for wildlife as a Wild Africa Ambassador.
He said that she would help to increase awareness about Nigeria’s remaining biodiversity and contribute to ongoing efforts to protect iconic species from extinction.
“We are excited to have Duke-Ekpenyong on board as our latest Nigeria ambassador.
“She is a passionate conservationist who deeply understands the issues facing Nigeria’s wildlife and forests.
“She has a proven track record of addressing conservation issues.
“Her voice, expertise, and experience will contribute massively to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity for future generations,” he said.
Iyorah said that Duke-Ekpenyong has over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, collaborating with prominent institutions dedicated to large-scale growth and development initiatives in Africa.
“She is the co-founder and CEO at LEGA.C Capital, a multi-family office, committed to supporting the wealth and advancement of innovators, entrepreneurs and affluent families.
“Additionally, she oversees the operations of Obudu Capital, the family office’s climate technology fund and capacity-building programme.
“Through Obudu, she channels investments into climate technology projects to support climate adaptation across Africa,” he said.
According to him, through her non-profit, Obudu Conservation Centre (OCC), she actively contributes to environmental research and community development efforts in the Obudu Plateau, one of the world’s most bioverse regions.
Iyorah said that Duke-Ekpenyong and her team at OCC, had led pioneering research on the Preuss Guenon monkey and have fought against anti-poaching in the region.
“She joins other influential Nigerian ambassadors, such as Davido, 2Baba, Mayorkun, Stephanie Linus, and footballer Alex Iwobi, to help shift public attitudes towards wildlife and the environment,” Iyorah said.
Speaking about her appointment, Iyorah quoted Duke-Ekpeyong as saying: “Caring for nature has been part of my life’s purpose, and it is an honour to join Wild Africa to continue this shared vision to protect, preserve and increase awareness of our wildlife and wild lands in Africa.”
He said that Wild Africa is a conservation communication organisation that inspires public support and political will to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces forever.
According to him, in spite being home to wildlife such as elephants, lions, and a unique species of gorilla, Nigeria faces significant threats in the forms of poaching, deforestation, and the illegal wildlife trade.
He noted that Nigeria had also become a global transit hub for the trafficking of ivory and pangolin scales.
By Fabian Ekeruche
