By joshua Ringo Sport Club Honours Dr. Musa Goni, Conservator General of National Parks for Sports-Tourism Integration
The Ringo Sport Club Nigeria has presented a prestigious award of recognition to Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni, the Conservator General of the National Parks Service (NPS), in acknowledgment of his exceptional support for exploring the intersection between sports and tourism. The award highlights Dr. Goni’s commitment to leveraging this synergy for the environmental sustainability of Nigeria’s biodiversity and the socio-economic development of the nation through sports tourism.
Making the presentation, which took place at the National Parks Service headquarters in Abuja, during the courtesy visit by officials of the Ringo Sport Club and Members of the Organising Committee of the Nigerian Para-Military Ringo Sport Tournament (NIPAMRIST), National President of the Club and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Malam Ahmed Mohammed Sule, lauded the Conservator General for his visionary leadership in recognizing that sports tourism is not merely a recreational activity but a powerful economic driver that can coexist harmoniously with nature.
In his citation, the Club noted that under Dr. Goni’s stewardship, the National Parks Service has opened its doors to innovative partnerships that utilize sports as a vehicle for conservation awareness, adding that by supporting the exploration of sports-tourism intersections, Dr. Goni has paved the way for eco-friendly sporting events that showcase Nigeria’s rich biodiversity to the world while generating revenue for local communities.
Malam Ahmed noted that the presentation of the award was a testament to Dr. Goni’s dedication to thinking outside the box.
“Dr. Goni has demonstrated that our national parks are not just preservation zones, but potential hubs for sports tourism.
“By integrating sports with tourism, we can create a sustainable model that protects our environment while boosting our economy. This award is to say thank you for your support and to encourage further collaboration” he said.
Receiving the award, Dr. Goni, the Conservator General expressed gratitude to the Ringo Sport Club for the recognition and reiterated the National Park Service’s mandate to conserve the nation’s natural heritage and emphasized that sports tourism is a crucial tool for achieving this goal.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” Dr. Goni said, adding that “The intersection of sports and tourism holds immense potential for Nigeria, it allows us to showcase our beautiful landscapes, promote physical fitness and create jobs, all while teaching the importance of environmental conservation. This award is not just for me, but for the entire team at the National Park Service who work tirelessly to ensure our biodiversity is safe for future generations.”
The event concluded with a call for greater public-private partnerships to develop infrastructure that supports eco-tourism and sporting activities within Nigeria’s national parks, ensuring that the socio-economic benefits of sports tourism are realized without compromising the integrity of the ecosystem.
Ringo Sport Club Nigeria is a premier sporting organization dedicated to the promotion of sports and healthy living. The Club advocates for the integration of sports into various sectors of the economy, including tourism and environmental conservation.
The National Park Service (NPS) is the federal agency responsible for the preservation, enhancement and management of Nigeria’s national parks. The Service is committed to biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism development and the promotion of environmental education.