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REPORT OF UNESCO-KOICA GEBR PROJECT INCEPTION MEETING HELD AT OMO-BIOSPHERE

RESERVE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA ON 17TH DECEMBER 2013

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The UNESCO-KOICA GEBR Project inception meeting was held at the Omo Biosphere Reserve (OBR), Ogun State, Nigeria on 17 December 2013. In attendance were the members of the MAB National Committee, Executive Director – Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, 5 UNESCO Staff from Headquarters and Abuja Regional Office, Representatives of Ogun and Osun State Governments, Community and Faith Group leaders, Women and Youth Group leaders, Omo Forest Conservation Club, Students and indigenes from the 12 benefitting communities within the Biosphere Reserve. The inception meeting was attended by approximately 100 people.

Left to Right: Prof. Ola Adams (Chairman MAB), Prof. D.U. Okali; Mrs. Magdalene Maido (SG-NatCom UNESCO); Prof. Solomon Badejo (Exec. Director Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria), Prof. Hassana Alidou (Director – UNESCO Regional Office Abuja) Ms. Melody Ocloo (UNESCO GEBR Project Officer, UNESCO HQ) Mr. Salvatore Mineo (BSP - UNESCO HQ)

Impossible d’afficher l’image.

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The meeting commenced with the opening prayer by one of the

community leaders - Baale Adekoya. The opening speech was

delivered by the Chairman of the Occasion - Prof. D.U.U. Okali. He

was happy that MABB National Committee was working in

collaboration with UNESCO to implement the GEBR project activities

in Omo Biosphere Reserve. He spoke on the relevance of the

biosphere reserve to the community and to the nation in general. He

wished all participants a successful deliberation and urged the MAB

National Committee members to participate effectively in the

implementation of the project activities within the stipulated time. He

also advised the community leaders to cooperate in the successful

implementation of the project activities. Prof. Okali thanked UNESCO

for its technical support and KOICA for funding the GEBR project at

OBR.

The Chairman of the MAB National Committee - Prof. B.A. Ola-

Adams in his speech gave the historical background, importance of

OBR as well as the outcome of the previous BRAAF project research

work at OBR and the immense resources available within the

biosphere reserve.

Prof. S.O. Badejo, the Executive Director – Forestry Research

Institute of Nigeria, also welcomed all participants to Omo Biosphere

Reserve and stressed the importance of the reserve to the Forestry

Research Institute and other tertiary Institutions within and outside

the country. He reiterated that many Post Graduate students from

Nigerian Universities have and are undertaking their research

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projects in the biosphere reserve. Some of these studies are on

biodiversity, ornithology, soil and socio-economic studies of the

biosphere reserve and the entire community. He acknowledged that

the project is people-oriented and called on members of the

community to cooperate with other stakeholders for the successful

implementation of the project activities.

The UNESCO Abuja Regional Office Director - Prof. Hassana Aliduo

in her speech commended the MAB National Committee members,

Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of

Environment and Ogun State Government for their efforts in

sustaining the Omo Biosphere Reserve. She also appreciated KOICA

for their support to sponsor the GEBR project at OBR.

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The Director – UNESCO Regional Office Abuja – Prof. Hassana Alidou delivering her speech during the Inception Meeting at OBR.

Ms. Melody Ocloo – the GEBR Project Officer, UNESCO

Headquarters, in her speech explained the meaning of Green

Economy, its importance in improving and empowering the

livelihoods of the benefiting communities. She also explained the

project implementation process especially with respect to how

beneficiaries would be supported to take up new livelihoods. In her

explanations she stressed that funds (cash) will not be given out to

beneficiaries but rather they will be provided with tools, equipment,

seeds or spores as the case may be to enable them begin their

businesses. In order to ensure project efficiency she advised that

communities should select not more than four livelihood activities.

She also informed participants that Ghana and Tanzania were also

beneficiaries of this project.

The Omo Biosphere Reserve Conservation Club presented a cultural

dance as well as playlets. The short play centered on the negative

effects of human activities on biodiversity conservation. The

participants were encouraged to stop bush burning, hunting and

felling of trees within the biosphere reserve.

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The Omo Forest Conservation Club entertaining the audience during the GEBR Project Inception meeting at OBR.

During the general discussion with the community leaders,

participants and stakeholders, the following issues were raised.

i. The location of the project activities within the OBR.

ii. The MAB contact Office and contact person responsible for the

project at the OBR

iii. Permission from the Ogun State Government on land allocation

for the GEBR project activities at OBR.

iv. The involvement of Ogun State government officials in the

rehabilitation of the access road to OBR to facilitate marketing of

agricultural produce.

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The community leaders exchanging pleasantries with the UNESCO Staff and MAB National Committee members

In response to the questions raised above, the MAB National

Committee Chairman inferred that the Nigeria Conservation

Foundation (NCF) Office in OBR will serve as MAB contact office.

The issue of land allocation for the implementation of the project

activities will be sorted out with the Ogun State Government (the

statutory owners of the biosphere reserve). The Chairman also

reiterated that agricultural inputs and incentives will be provided to

the participants during the implementation of the GEBR project.

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Cross section of participants at the GEBR Project Inception meeting at OBR – MAB Committee members and Community leaders

Major Outcome of the Project Inception meeting:

- The community leaders and potential beneficiaries have been

sensitized on the benefits of the project activities.

- Goodwill messages, songs and drama presentations used to

create awareness of the project activities and the benefits of

biodiversity conservation.

- The community leaders affirmed their cooperation and

participation in the implementation of the project activities

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- Pertinent issues raised by members of the community were

discussed extensively by UNESCO and the MAB National

Committee Members

- Way forward on the implementation of the GEBR project

activities were discussed.

MAB National Committee Meeting with UNESCO Staff:

After the Project inception meeting at the Omo Biosphere Reserve,

the MAB National Committee members met with the UNESCO Staff

to discuss the issues raised during the inception meeting as well as

other pertinent issues. It was agreed that:

- The National Conservation Fund (NCF) Office at J.4 will serve as

the MAB contact office at OBR. It was also agreed that a “MAB

Office” signpost be erected at the NCF office.

- Potential beneficiaries could use land already allocated to them in

the enclave for the project, moreover; a lot of land would not be

required for the project activities.

- UNESCO-MAB National Committee should officially inform the

Ogun State Government about the project and seek their support

to lend other resources to the project in the near future. This may

include rehabilitating the access road to OBR and providing a

project vehicle for the MAB Committee.

- A maximum of four green economy activities based on the

outcome of the socio-economic survey should be selected and

implemented by MAB at OBR. However, the domestication of

smaller animals (such as snails and grasscutters), fishery,

mushroom cultivation and apiculture should be given priority.

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- Awareness creation of the GEBR project and sensitization of the

communities within the biosphere reserve should continue even

after the socio-economic survey.

- Ogun State government officials should be involved in the

implementation of the project. The state should be approached

with respect to the rehabilitation of the access road to OBR. This

would not only facilitate the easy transportation of products to the

market places but also enable easy access to the Omo Biosphere

Reserve by tourist.

- Women participation and economic empowerment within the

biosphere reserve should be encouraged.

- Effective interaction and regular meetings among MAB National

Committees of participating countries (Nigeria, Ghana &

Tanzania) should be encouraged.

- The GEBR project activity implementation at OBR should

commence in full in 2014, all MAB members should be actively

involved.