Appeal for Protection of Biodiversity by German Representative and Advocacy Group

An Urgent Call to Action has been made by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Abuja, alongside SustyVibes, a youth-focused sustainability non-profit organization in Lagos. They are urging the youth in Nigeria to take steps to safeguard animal and plant species from the brink of extinction by protecting biodiversity.

During the Bioverse NG national conference held in Abuja, the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Johannes Lehne, stressed the importance of this cause in a statement released on Saturday.

The conference revolved around the theme, ‘The Indispensable Role of Youth in Nigeria’s Biodiversity,’ emphasizing the need for Nigerian youths, the government, and global stakeholders to engage in discussions on the biodiversity challenges faced by the country.

In his address at the conference, Lehne highlighted the significant threats faced by Nigeria’s diverse biodiversity in recent decades.

Addressing the audience, Lehne expressed concern stating, “Currently, hundreds of animal species and thousands of plant species are on the verge of extinction, primarily due to habitat loss resulting from extensive deforestation. Educating the Nigerian youth on this matter can have a positive impact on the country’s biodiversity.”

In alignment with Lehne’s sentiments, the National Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, emphasized the need for young individuals to identify areas of improvement and create nature-based solutions that also hold economic value.

Additionally, the founder of SustyVibes, Jennifer Uchendu, regarded the event as a historic moment, citing its role in “showcasing several months of dedicated work on the Bioverse NG project, while empowering young Nigerians to learn and actively participate in biodiversity conservation and climate advocacy.”