SEO Riders:
– Joint effort aims to transform OSSE River Park into eco‑tourism hotspot.
– Government seeks technical and logistic backing from FUTA’s forestry and wildlife departments.
– Focus on sustainable conservation, revenue generation, research, and habitat protection.
The Ondo State Government has announced plans to collaborate with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) to restore and enhance OSSE River Park to international standards as an eco-tourism and wildlife conservation site. During a meeting with FUTA’s Departments of Forestry & Wood Technology and Ecotourism & Wildlife Management, Permanent Secretary Chief Segun Odusanya emphasized the park’s vital role in providing wildlife habitat and supporting biodiversity—but noted that it had suffered degradation due to human activity. Covering roughly 285.8 km², the site aims to attract eco-tourists and generate income, while offering a platform for research and conservation.
Director of Wildlife Conservation Mr Olushola Ibosiola highlighted the park’s potential to boost economic incentives, raise awareness, and support scientific research through sustainable practice. FUTA professors Oluseyi Fabiyi and Adekunle Ogunjinmi expressed readiness to lend their expertise and resources, including technical assessments and field evaluations. The university is poised to conduct on-site visits to determine intervention needs, setting the stage for a comprehensive development plan that balances ecosystem protection with economic and community benefits.
