Gov.
Simon Lalong of Plateau has said that he and his wife Regina, would
take up the responsibility of feeding the elephant and the two lions at
Jos Wildlife Park.
Lalong
made the promise on Tuesday at the event of the 100 Days in Office of
the Acting General Manager (GM), Plateau Tourism Corporation, Mrs Salome
Bidda.
The governor said that the gesture, which was in
response to the request of the GM, was aimed at boosting wildlife for
the benefit of Plateau residents and tourists.
“They said everybody should adopt an animal. My wife is more keen about animals and has been keeping animals.
“She will take care of the feeding of the lion and lioness and I will take care of the feeding of the elephant.
“All
government appointees; the Chief of staff, Head of Service and
commissioners must adopt and take care of at least one animal in the
park.
“The 24-members of the State House of Assembly should also pick one animal each and take care of it,” he said.
The
governor also said that all those seeking political appointment must
also include the name of the animal they are feeding in their Curriculum
Vitae (CV).
According to him, he would confirm from the Acting GM, when he sees the CV, to be sure that they are not lying.
Lalong appealed to all spirited Plateau citizens outside the categories mentioned to adopt and take care of at least one animal.
He regretted the death of a lion that died about two years ago in the park, which was about the oldest in the country.
“I fasted for no less than five days when the lion died because it generated a lot of revenue for the state.
“Our
policy is not only to make people to enjoy but also to protect animals
to enjoy their rights,” Bidda told the governor that the park currently
hosts 102 animals.
The GM said that the 8-km-Jos
Wildlife Park was established by the then Governor of Benue- Plateau,
Commissioner of Police, Joseph Gomwalk.
She further told
the governor that there was need to beef up security to safeguard and
guarantee the safety of tourists and visitors to the state.
