THE BOOK-ANIMAL RIGHTS IN NIGERIA-COMMENTS BY COMRADE DUPE ADEWOYE

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS AND GAME MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA.

This book must appeal to general readership for two basic reasons. The first question is likely take the form of a retort-” what business has a lawyer to do with animals? Do animals go to court for redress? Is it not God Himself who told us in the Bible that we can kill and eat them?

These questions, fortunately have found answers to satisfy the curious and the cynics on the whys and the wherefores of the Book under review. While the author, who, to me is a literary enigma, has taken the pains to catalogue the importance, the relevance and indispensability of animals to the enhancement of both physical and spiritual wellbeing of human beings, the compassion, passion and love the lawyer shows for the rights of animal are such that are capable of transforming the present world into the early life of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where animals and men lived in perfect harmony without any form of antagonism or one preying on the other.

Apart from creating an ideal environment, for cordial relationship between man and his lower neighbour, the author has clearly shown that animals have a right in whatever way “right” may be defined.

The author started off with the usefulness of animals in the industrial and commercial sectors where hides and skins of animals processed to tangible products have contributed immensely to the well-being of human beings.

Many animals and birds have active ingredients that satisfy medicinal purposes, for examples, the tusks of elephants from which South African Government derived handsome revenues to boost her` Gross National Product.(GNP)

Feathers in many cultures in Nigeria serve as a symbol of authority and of course, the Eagle on the nation’s Coat of Arms signifies the strength of our nation and its sovereignty.

But, pity! Many authorities, especially in Africa, have the tendency of relegating the relevance of animals to the background.

In the United Kingdom, for instance, there is a body known as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The British government relates to the Society in the way it relates to the human rights abuses like child labour, Women Trafficking and other form of abuses.

For instance, anybody who holds a cock upside down stands the risk of prosecution.

This book, otherwise asserted to be readers’ companion on the great reconciliation of man to his closest lower neighbour has also illuminated the indispensability of animal in the life of man especially in the provision of calorie and other forms of protein that promotes good health amongst the higher animals (man).

In India, the world’s largest democracy, elephants so much dreaded in Nigeria because of their devastating strength are being used in Lombard Industry, the way Nigerians use heavy-duty trucks to convey logs to the various processing sawmills.

The study which led to aero-nautical engineering derived high inspiration from the birds. The defence perfected by the law of natural forces is that while birds fly and perch on any object or land everywhere, the aeroplanes land only in designated places – (i.e. airports). But then, the helicopters too have obliterated the anomaly for the helicopters too, fly and land anywhere.

It is these and other invaluable advantages that led the author into this persuasive treatise between man and his lower neighbour to effect perfect harmony  and maximal utilization of animals to enhance the spiritual and physical well being of man. Man should have a change of heart towards animals no matter how small.

The soil experts have confirmed the immense contribution of millipedes, animal wastes in the fertilization process of our soil to yield more.

The red tail feather of the parrot is used by business men and women in commerce and industry to increase their services because of the metaphysical content in the tail which brings the user a high level of popularity. The head of the parrot serves as the current Vitamin A which helps in the development of human brains and intellect. These and other advantages derivable from our wildlife within the ecological systems are enough to persuade man to reform himself when it comes to relationship between the two.

First, this book should be read by those who want to broaden their knowledge on the animal life as well as tourists who want to enthuse themselves with the reactions and activities of animals.

Secondly this book is a teaser to experts in wildlife management to break new grounds in animal management in the country.

Since the intention of this piece is not to serialize the book, I commend it to the general readership, especially our country’s teeming intelligentsia.

’DUPE ADEWOYE ESQ