The Centre for Human Security (CHS) within the OOPL complex last quarter formally accepted the database and other intellectual resources of the Africa Progress Panel.

The APP’s work will be taken forward from 2018 by a new entity, provisionally named the Africa Progress Group.

The new entity with operational headquarters at the Centre for Human Security and Dialogue of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Nigeria, will seek to create a network of robust regional and international partnerships focused on pushing for the implementation of the recommendations the APP has made over the years in its Africa Progress Reports and policy statements.

Formed in 2008, the Swiss-based foundation aims to bring about policy change through unique combination of cutting-edge analysis, advocacy, and diplomacy.

The panel’s members have access to the worlds of politics, finance, business and civil society at the highest levels, globally and in Africa.

The Africa Progress Panel’s capacity to generate and promote authoritative, independent recommendations enables the Panel to influence key policies that have profound consequences for the continent’s future.

Some of the reports now domiciled in CHSD include the– Agenda for progress for Africa at a period of global crisis – a call for African Leadership (APP 2009); From Agenda to Action: Turning Resources to Result for People (APP 2010); The Transformative Power of Partnerships (APP 2011); Jobs, Justice & Equity: Seizing Opportunities in Times of Global Change (APP 2012); Equity in Extractives: Stewarding Africa’s Resources for All (APP 2013); Grain, Fish, Money: Financing Africa’s  Green & Blue Revolutions (APP 2014) and People, Power & Planet: Seizing Africa’s Energy & Climate Opportunities (APP 2015).

These resources dwell on complex and high-impacting issues that are particularly relevant to the African continent.

On Monday, 2nd November, 2017, the OOPL Wildlife Park opened to the public with zoo enthusiasts adopting and christening some of the animals in the park.

“Welcome to the Wildlife Park. I am Ore,” said the dark lady attendant at the zoo with a smile that I interpreted as mocking my leisureless life.

Ruth, my companion, jumped to her back and nodded in the direction of the colourful peacock in the cage closest to the entrance.

I would have none of that.

I needed to see the Lions, two of which, I learnt, had been christened Aremu and Ade respectively.

There they were, busy with their food which they had welcomed with the roar. I felt like one of them as Ruth rested her head on my shoulders fearfully.

I should adopt one of them, perhaps.

Ore had explained the adoption (Animals Depend On People too = ADOPT) process.

According to her, it involves signing up for a renewable period of one year with a sum that varies from one million Naira upwards. When you adopt an animal, it is named after you. There are different adoption levels – the keeper, the guardian, the friend, and the family levels.

Next to the lions were the Hyenas, gallantly beholding us. They had just reproduced four cubs which had been duly separated to another cage.

It was good to get acquainted with the terribly endangered spotted hyena species that are now multiplying in this park like twins in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State – a feat Ore explained as a result of the conscious efforts of the OOPL management.

We went to the other areas of the park like the Avian section hosting several species of duck, the local, the white-faced whistling Duck, Malad’s duck, and other birds like the Pelican and the Peafowl. There was also the Duiker.

We were running out of time; we needed to be at Rounda Fun Spot, the games centre, to enjoy some games together before we called it a day.

There are simply too many exciting things to see at this Wildlife Park of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

The Camels, Pythons, Horses and the Baboons will have to wait till our next visit!