BTPDI Chairman, Kiyaramo celebrates Eniang at World Congress on Snakes
Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, Chairman of the BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative (BTPDI), has celebrated Prof. Edem Archibong Eniang for representing Nigeria at the first World Congress on Snakes in Sri Lanka.
Kiyaramo, who is also Convener and Founder of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), described Eniang as a leading Nigerian conservationist with more than three decades of experience in herpetology and wildlife conservation.
He stated this in a birthday message to Eniang, Executive Director of the Biodiversity Preservation Centre and Professor of Wildlife Resources Management at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Eniang, born on Oct. 1, 1969, is attending the four-day congress holding in Kandy, Sri Lanka, from Oct. 1 to Oct. 4.
Kiyaramo said Eniang’s participation as Nigeria’s sole representative at the congress was a source of pride to BTPDI, Akwa Ibom, the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
The chairman said the congress provided an international platform for experts to address snake biology, conservation, snakebite management and other emerging challenges.
He said the event brought together researchers, conservationists and medical experts from several countries to advance knowledge and collaboration on snake-related issues.
According to Kiyaramo, Sri Lanka’s selection as host reflected its rich reptilian biodiversity, with 112 recorded snake species, more than half of them endemic.
He said the congress would feature plenaries, symposia, workshops and field excursions covering 12 thematic areas.
These include snake biology and evolution, human-snake coexistence, snakebite management and toxicology, conservation genomics, artificial intelligence and citizen science.
Kiyaramo said Eniang’s participation underscored the contribution of African expertise to global efforts on biodiversity conservation and the snakebite crisis.
He noted that snakebite remained a neglected tropical disease responsible for more than 100,000 deaths annually worldwide.
Kiyaramo also wished Eniang a happy 57th birthday and successful representation of Nigeria at the global congress.
