The nature enthusiasts, conservationists and environmentalists gathered in a cycling event organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in a bid to create awareness on vulture conservation in Nigeria on Saturday, 21st September 2019 tagged “A Mile for the Egyptian Vultures”.
Over 100 bike riders and others assembled at Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) to rally for vultures through a project being executed by NCF called “Egyptian Vulture New-Life Project.”
The procession commenced at LCC at 8:30am through the Lekki-Epe Expressway way, to Sandfill bus-stop and back to LCC amidst pomp and pageantry to create an impactful awareness campaign, calling on people to stop vulture killing, use in traditional belief based use and sales in its parts.
The Director General of NCF, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano in his welcome address, appreciated all the participants and urged them to carry on the campaign till the goal is achieved.
A Council Member of NCF, Dr. Ade Alakija gave a health pep talk. While the Director Technical Programmes of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja gave a motivating statement as the riders set out.
The environmentalists through research revealed that, vultures will soon go into extinction if drastic efforts are not made to stop the threats against the species.
Vultures are Nature’s Sanitary Officers, carrion feeders that render clean-up services of the environment. They rid our environment of carcasses and rubbish. Thereby prevent the spread of diseases.
This cycling event is a follow-up to the International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) commemoration activities that NCF carried out in 4 cities in Nigeria, Sokoto; Jalingo; Enugu and Ibadan earlier in the month.
In attendance were Save Vulture Campaign Ambassadors, a movie actor; Yomi Fash-Lanso and a musician; Tito da fire.
Lekki Concession Company, the managers of Lekki Toll and Lekki-Epe Expressway lend their support through effective management of traffic flow and provision of security.
The event ended in the Family Park of LCC at 10:30am.
