The Wildlife Society Of Nigeria (WILDSON), has given a posthumous merit award to the first governor of Kano, late PC Audu-Bako for his contribution towards the preservation of wildlife in Kano.
Late Audu-Bako received the awards through his biological daughter Zainab Audu-Bako on Tuesday during the society’s 6th annual conference held in Kano.
The first governor of Kano state is recognized by WILDSON for building the Kano Zoological Garden as well as the Falgore Games Reserve.
Also awarded is the former governor of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for renovating and and enhancing the services of the Zoological Garden, while Dr Hadi Mustapha was awarded with Fellow of WILDSON.
In his address the the chairman of the society Augustine Ogogo praised the initiatives of the late governor in his efforts to preserve nature and wildlife.
Delivering an address on behalf of the recipients the biological daughter of late governor Audu-Bako called on the state government to preserve the over 50-year old heritage created by her father.
“Each recipient of this award, including my late father, Commissioner Audu Bako, was driven by a passion to protect our natural resources, to ensure that future generations could inherit a land that is abundant and thriving.
“My father’s vision was always one of balance—between progress and preservation between development and sustainability. His efforts in agriculture and wildlife conservation were not only about economic prosperity but about securing the health of our environment for years to come.
“Today, as we accept this honor for those here present so also on behalf of those who have passed on, we do so with a sense of responsibility.
“Their work reminds us that the conservation of our wildlife and the protection of our natural environment is not just the responsibility of a few; it is a collective moral obligation that falls on all of us.
“The legacies they left behind are not just in the projects they completed, but in the values they stood for: integrity, hard work, and the deep understanding that the welfare of humanity is intricately linked to the health of our environment.
“As we remember their achievements, let this be a call to action for each of us to continue what they left and for those alive are still doing at their various capacities . Let us protect our land, our wildlife, and our resources with the same passion and dedication they exhibited throughout their lives” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the state governor Abba Yusuf, the commissioner of education, Yusuf Kofarmata, called on WILDSON to involve hunters in its activities in order to extend the discipline of both forestry and wildlife preservation.
“The history of wildlife preservation in West Africa will never be complete without recognizing late governor Audu-Bako.
“I will like to use this opportunity to call on WILDSON to be engaging stakeholders like hunters in their activities in order to extend the discipline of forestry and wildlife restoration to them” the governor said.