AUTHOR'S REMARKS AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE BOOK"LAGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS AND GAME MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

Author’s Remarks


At the Launching of the Book: “Legal Framework ForAnimal Rights and Game Management in Nigeria” at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria on Thursday 15/11/2007



Animals Rights is not well-known topic in Africa, nay Nigeria. Although, it is often said that European- American Countries care more about animal rights than human rights, we Africans, in this case, Nigerians must learn to respect the natural rights of animal in modern society.



Indeed, in the culture of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria, animals were not treated cruelly, they were generally taken good care of, yet they were largely not seen as relevant for special treatment. In modern societies, more considerations of their special needs have arisen.



For this purpose I have begun the task of addressing Animal Rights along with Game Management in Nigeria, so that Nigeria can set the pace for Africa in these two fields. I set forth therefore that we propose the following approaches toward this.



1. Existing legal order should be reviewed with a view to making the statutes more aggressive towards the protection of rights of animal and game management.



2. Various governments should be more concerned with the enforcement of these laws by creating the requisite machineries and enabling environment.



3. The public should be sensitised towards realizing that animals are not only our neighbours on the planet earth but entrusted to our care by the Almighty God and for the needs of the generations unborn.



It is important that Animal Rights and Game Management receive a new approach of action towards developing the needed new legal framework within the Nigerian Legal System.



I wish to thank all and sundry for their support.