By Fumilayo Adeyemi
The Conservator General, National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni, has clarified confusion surrounding reported recruitment exercises linked to forest security.
Speaking at the sidelines of a courtesy visit to his office by officials of Peace Corps in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Conservator General’s clarification came in response to growing public interest and confusion about forest security recruitment advertisements.
Goni stressed that there was no ongoing nationwide recruitment for Forest Guards while distinguishing the initiative from the proposed Nigerian Forest Security Service.
He also explained that while there had been advertisements circulating about recruitment under the name “Nigerian Forest Security Service”, he is unaware of any such official exercise.
According to him, the Nigerian Forest Security Service is an entirely separate entity whose enabling bill has been passed by the National Assembly but is yet to become fully operational.
“To the best of my knowledge, I have only read in the newspapers that the bill has been passed. The processes to bring them on board are yet to be completed.
“So if there are any advertisements for recruitment, I am not aware,” he said.
While clarifying the Federal Government’s Forest Guard initiative, which he said was an entirely different programme, he said the Forest Guard initiative was intended as a strategy to combat insecurity in Nigeria’s ungoverned forest areas, game reserves, and protected zones.
“The President is trying to revive the Forest Guard concept. That is why he has extended a hand of fellowship to the state governments, saying let us reintroduce this initiative to combat insecurity in our country,” Goni explained.
He noted that the Forest Guard programme was designed to enlist local volunteers through traditional rulers and community leaders, rather than through public advertisements or open recruitment drives.
Emphasising its community-based nature, he described it as a volunteer service focused on selecting responsible, well-conducted individuals with a genuine interest in protecting the environment.
“There has been no government announcement about recruitment. What is happening is an agreement between states to identify hotspots in their areas and enlist volunteers through traditional rulers and opinion leaders,” he clarified.
He also outlined the government’s plans to ensure effective training for the new Forest Guards.
According to him, a collaboration has been set up involving the National Park Service, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Army, and the National Intelligence Agency.
This, he said, would served as instructors in training schools, noting that a pilot scheme had been launched in seven states to include: Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Niger, Adamawa, and Kwara.
He added that the test run aimed to evaluate the success of the approach before expanding nationwide.
“If the test run is successful, then the President has promised that the 1,129 forest reserves and game reserves in this country will be managed by these Forest Guards,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)