The Conservator of Park, Old Oyo National Park, CP Caroline Samuel Olory has called for inclusion of the Park in the Oyo State Security Architecture and other logistics supports to enhance Park protection in the rural communities where it operates.
She made the call on, when she led some Management Staff on a courtesy visit to Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdul-Rahim Adebayo Lawal in his office, at the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The CP, while congratulating Barr. Abdul-Rahim on his appointment as Deputy Governor, said, it is good news to the Management that he is from Kisi, a Support Zone Community of the Park.
CP Olory highlighted the nature of National Parks and explained the resources in Old Oyo National Park, with emphasis on the size and the effort to keep the Park safe for tourism activities. She added that the state is a major beneficiary, if the relative peace around the Park is sustained. She explained that going by the current security challenges in parts of the country, the Park Management in synergy with other security agencies is working to prevent possible infiltration of criminal elements into the Park.
She called for inclusion of the Park in the state’s security architecture for intelligence sharing among the security apparatus, stating that the Park also needs supports of the state on patrol vehicles to compliment what is currently available.
In his response, the Deputy Governor said he was better educated on what makes a National Park, Forest Reserve and Game Reserve. He added that he is interested in the Park not only because he is from a host community but because of the security of the state.
He expressed happiness over the Park working in synergy with other security agencies and encouraged strengthening of the synergy in the state.
He promised to follow up on the CP’s request with the Executive Governor whom he said is very passionate about the security of the State.
The CP presented copies of the Park’s brochures and map to the Deputy Governor.
