The African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF) proudly announces the successful inauguration of the UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers Initiative for Gashaka Gumti National Park and the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Nigeria. The event was held at the National Park Service Headquarters in Abuja.
The inauguration was chaired by Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni, Conservator General of the National Park Service of Nigeria (NPS), with the Director General, African International Documentary Festival Foundation Ms Malame Ngamariju Mangzha serving as the Secretary of the Committee.
Committee members were drawn from the national, private, and development sectors, including: Federal Ministry of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy (FMACCE), Taraba State Government through the Ministry of Heritage and Eco Tourism, National Park Service (NPS), National Commission for Museums and Monuments, National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM), North East Development Commission (NEDC), African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF), National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), American University of Nigeria (AUN), Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), News Agency of Nigeria, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) Nigerian Red Cross Service (NRS), Triumph College &Consultancy Services Jalingo and with Nomad Africa Magazine as the official media partner for the event.
The program will take place in Gashaka Gumti National Park from September 17th to 27th, 2024, and at the Sukur Cultural Landscape from October 6th to 17th, 2024.
The Implementing Committee will oversee the project’s execution at both World Heritage sites, with a key focus on elevating Gashaka Gumti National Park of Nigeria to World Heritage status. The initiative aims to engage volunteers from around the world in conservation, environmental education, and cultural exchange activities. It will promote sustainable tourism, enhance local conservation efforts, and raise global awareness of the ecological and cultural significance of these heritage sites.
The inauguration of this initiative marks a significant milestone in the conservation and promotion of our shared cultural and natural heritage. The Director General of AFIDFF, Ms. Malame Mangzha, expressed her gratitude to the members for the successful inauguration and called for their dedication and commitment to ensuring a memorable and impactful WHV 2024 program under the theme “WORKING ON THE FUTURE.”
