The IITA Forest is an internationally acclaimed Key Biodiversity and Important Bird Area. The Forest Center is renowned for its important contribution to African bird studies. On 16 and 17 November, IITA Forest Center celebrated the Nigerian Bird Festival to create awareness and galvanize communal support for conserving birds and their natural habitats. They were joined by the iconic Laycon of Laycon Cares Foundation and the winner of BBNaija Season 5.
Students from selected primary and secondary schools in Ibadan camped in already set-up tents, where they spent the night close to nature, telling stories, reciting poems, singing songs, and sharing folktales around the bonfire to entertain one another. In the morning, the bird lovers marched with placards bearing targeted messages to sensitize IITA staff and visitors entering the Institute’s campus about birds and their importance to ecological stability.
The team proceeded to the IITA lakeside to watch birds in their natural habitat. The bird-watching activity was led by Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) Species Conservation Manager Stella Egbe. She delivered a lecture on the threatened heritage of Ibadan Malimbe.
The students showcased beautiful pictures of different birds and poems. The President of the Renewable Natural Resources Student Association of the University of Ibadan gave a brief presentation on the impact of the conservation of birds. She shared a tale of birds and harmony through her inspiring poem. IITA Forest Center Bird Ambassador Nathaniel Owolawi presented his recent collection of bird photos.
The students had a fun-filled experience sharing their love for nature with other bird lovers. St Teresa College student Favour Owai said, “This event is an eye-opener. I have learned a lot about birds and look forward to an amazing experience like this next time.”
The event enjoyed media coverage from TVC and Channels TV. Nigerian representative of Wild Africa Fund, Festus Iyorah, accompanied BBNaija star and nature-lover Laycon, who also owns a conservation foundation—Laycon Cares Foundation. They aim to amplify key messages and broaden reach to conserve Nigeria’s nature reserves, including birds. Iyorah said, “Birds contribute to economies through ecotourism. Birds contribute to agriculture by serving as pollinators of certain crops.” He decried nature-threatening activities like poaching and invasion of animal territories due to urbanization.
Laycon applauded the Forest Center for doing much to conserve nature and educate people on natural resource conservation. He hinted at other potential collaborations between Laycon Cares Foundation and IITA Forest Center. He joined a long forest walk led by Forest Center Field Supervisor Ademola Ajayi. He planted the Miracle berry tree at IITA Lakeside to commemorate his celebration of the Nigerian Bird Festival with the IITA Forest Center.
The event ended with a beautiful cultural presentation from the Dosu Cultural troupe, who filled the air with an unmistakable message to live in harmony with nature through their songs, dance, and drama.
Contributed by Folake OduntanContributed by
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