The Nigerian Army has disclosed plans to convert Sambisa Forest  into an Ecosystem Resort Centre where war relics in the North East will be maintained as historical sites for tourism.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai,disclosed this at a seminar organised by the Army Headquarters, Department of Standards and Evaluation on “Regimentation and Combating Security Challenges Associated with Forests and Protected Areas’’, in Abuja on Monday.

Buratai, who was represented by Maj. Gen. Ali Nani, Chief of Policy and plans, declaring open the seminar, said that the war relics would attract scholars and tourists and as well serve as a revenue generating venture for the country.

“This is an opportunity for us all to be more involved in regimentation and synergise with relevant stakeholders to preserve our floras and faunas, to make our forests safe and build capacity to develop the needed progress for national security.’’

Maj. Gen. Adekunle Shodunke, the Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation (CASE), said that the weeklong seminar was to discuss the point of convergence between the regimentation in the Army, “our floras and faunas as well as forests and national security’’.

“The seminar will be in two parts, first, is a two-day lectures and interactive session and second is a field trip to two national parks, namely Kainji Lake and Cross River National Parks.

“This is an opportunity for us all to be more involved in regimentation and synergise with relevant stakeholders to preserve our floras and faunas, to make our forests safe and build capacity to develop the needed progress for national security.’’

Maj. Gen. Adekunle Shodunke, the Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation (CASE), said that the weeklong seminar was to discuss the point of convergence between the regimentation in the Army, “our floras and faunas as well as forests and national security’’.

“The seminar will be in two parts, first, is a two-day lectures and interactive session and second is a field trip to two national parks, namely Kainji Lake and Cross River National Parks.

“The essence of this seminar is to enlighten participants on regimentation, maintenance of mascots and establishment of parks and mini zoos in Nigerian Army Cantonments and Barracks.

“It will assist to build capacity of troops in combating the emerging security challenges associated with game reserves, forests and protected areas across the nation,’’ he said.

Dr Agboola Okeyoyin, the Assistant Conservator-General, National Park Service, during the presentations of his Paper titled: “Protected Area Management and National Security’’, said that some of the Nigeria’s forests had turned to den of criminals.

“This will require effective and purposeful synergy between all stakeholders to curtail the security challenges peculiar to some forests, game reserves and national parks in Nigeria.

“Hence the organisation of this all important seminar aimed at developing synergy between the National Park Service and the Nigerian army and to provide technical knowledge of the Forests and Parks in Nigeria

He called for more collaborations with relevant stakeholders to conserve the country’s nature.