Earth champion: Chinedu Mogbo, the conservation enthusiast who ‘enjoys company of animals more than humans’As early as the age of six, Chinedu Mogbo, a 36-year-old native of Anambra state, would pick up stray animals and bring them home to the shock of his parents. He was fascinated by animals and would always want to be around them. Little wonder he grew up enjoying the company of animals more than humans.
As the saying goes, part of one’s soul remains unawakened until one has loved an animal. Mogbo said hanging out with these animals excited him so much that the experience as a child was key to his growth as a conservationist.The path Mogbo chose did not sit right with his parents and so when it was time for him to go to the university, they would go on to ask him to practise another medical-related course asides from the veterinary.
I will visit every single pet shop and zoo within the city and in the neighbouring cities. I did this all through the years I was there. It was like a routine and this helped keep the fire alive,” he said. He recalled that in the earlier stages of the sanctuary, his mother was still hesitant and maintained that he was just wasting his time because “nobody appreciates this in Nigeria”.Although Mogbo’s mother changed her perspective over time, he worries that the mindset that animal conservation is a waste of time is one that holds sway among many Nigerians. He said this is because the Nigerian educational system does not make provision for conservation to be taught in schools.
“We really need to educate the future generations to rise up and take charge and be responsible and do things that will support the environment, wildlife and the conservation of our natural resources and sustenance of our biodiversity,” the conservationist said. “This is not me being pessimistic but I don’t believe that Nigeria will be able to surpass or achieve that goal. Laws are there but they are not being enforced; endangered species are being killed every day in Nigerian markets. Nobody is checking it or regulating it. We really have a long way to go.”