Lead City University Law Students commend FG on Old Oyo National Park

Students offering Environmental Law at the Lead City University , Ibadan has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for the establishment and sustenance of Old Oyo National Park , Oyo which has been serving not only  as a historical  ecotourism enclave, but has also been functioning as a veritable centre for academic  research  on environmental issues.

The students  who were   led on an excursion to the headquarters of the Old Oyo National Park by their lecturer,  Mr Tokunbo Alase in furtherance of their classroom study on Sustainable development: Ecosystem and  Environmental Protection commended the management of the park for their dedication to duty and readiness to share knowledge bordering on environment

Mr Alase informed the Assistant Conservator General of the park, Mr Richard Effa  who welcomed the group to  his office that the trip was made in order to ensure a direct contract between the Law students who are offering Environmental Law and an Ecotourism enclave .

He pointed out “this is a field trip . It is necessary for the students to rub minds not only with those managing the park but also with the flora and fauna which are the essential agents of environmental protection”

Mr Alase revealed we have tried in our capacity to teach them in the class what is contained in the books, but the school management believe that visiting Old Oyo Park which is contiguous to the school   will not only  concretize whatever they have gathered during lectures, but  also add value of immense proportion to the knowledge gained in the class.”

He called on Nigerians to be environmentally conscious as “Our failure to pay attention to observe simple environmental behaviour, comply with environmental laws  and do those things that lubricate a sustainable environment will bring unto this nation climatic woes in the near future.”

Mr Alase said that the depletion of the ozone layer which has been found as a major contributor to the heat wave being experienced globally “is as a result of the failure of world citizens to care a little for the environment”.

In response, Mr Effa praised the management  and the Faculty of Law of Lead City University, Ibadan  for being “academically proactive and resourceful at bringing its Environmental Law Students on a trip to  Old Oyo National Park which he described as one of the seven national parks in Nigeria strategically inaugurated for the protection , conservation and enhancement of the flora , fauna and most importantly the historical ecotourism objects in this part of the country”.

He explained to the students the difference between a national park and games reserve, the concept of biodiversity and the park system, Convention on International Trade on Engendeared Species, CITES, the Rio De Jeneiro, Poaching, illegal hunting and mining in the park , Law as necessary instrument  of sustaining the environment and challenges facing  National Parks .

After a two hour  intellectual interaction and discussion between the visiting students and Mr Effa the students were conducted on a tour of the  old park museum which housed  information, pictorial representation  of the animals and objects in the park, bones of poached animals, instruments used by poachers, artefacts and other  items of interest  all relating to the park.

Mr Tope Olatunbosun, one of the students said “This  is not only an eye opener, but a further confirmation of the essence of Environmental Law’, as Bimpe Olorunfemi on her part believes that  “The tour is profoundly  educating, entertaining and interesting . I am lucky to have chosen Environmental Law. It is a course which exposes one to the necessity of living well on the face of the earth “while Believe Osaigbavo and Adebiyi Mogbekeleoluwa gave special thanks  to the faculty for the package of this tour . Apart from the knowledge gained from the lecture of Mr Effa, we were  also privileged to see and touch  for the first time a life  Ostrich  on a field not inside the television.”

To Eniola Oyalowo and Atinuke Bamgbade “It is an extension of classroom with exciting and interesting practical exposure to some of the things learnt in the class   and objects which will permanently etched them in our brains.”

Adetunji Aderibigbe and Bukky Oguntola said. “It is a worthwhile, commendable educational tour  which practically aligned , authenticated and confirmed  the essence of Environmental Law. It is an unforgettable experience and hoping to spend some days inside the park .”