The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and its partner, Lekan Bakare Foundation, have called for sustainable action, understanding and passion for the conservation of oceans.
The call was made at the clean-up of Elegushi Beach, Lekki, to mark the 2024 World Oceans Day with the theme: “Awaken New Depths.”
Speaking at the event, Dr Joseph Onoja, the Director-General, said the World Oceans Day call for an action for the protection of the oceans.
Onoja said that if the use of something is not known, abuse was inevitable, adding that the World Oceans Day call for action for the protection of the oceans. It is important for people to understand what the ocean habitat is and the role it plays in trying to create an ecosystem balance so that it will continue to protect the planet earth and humans,he said.
He noted that the ocean and planet would always take care of itself but humans cannot take care of themselves because they depend on the earth, the ocean and the environment.
Onoja who described the theme for the 2024 as apt, said it called for shared understanding and passion and collaborations in protecting the oceans.
According to him, individuals, corporate organisations and everyone has a role to play in protecting the ocean so that the ocean would in turn come to protect us.
Onoja called for responsible management of wastes in order not to find their way into the ocean.
He said that the NCF, the foremost environmental conservation organisation, would continue to urge individuals to take responsible action in the way they treat the earth and the ocean.
Mr Desmond Majekodunmi, Council Member, NCF, said the World Oceans Day draws attention to the importance of the oceans noting that the oceans occupy 70 per cent of the earth.
He said that as a result of human activities, the population of fishes in the oceans have reduced tremendously.
According to him, climate change and global warming were impacting the oceans to a great extent and everyone should do everything possible to protect the ocean and marine life.
Also speaking, Abiola Chembas, the Chief Operating Officer, Lekan Bakare Foundation, said that it was important to clean up the ocean for the sustainability of the oceans and the creatures that live in them.
Chembas said the Lekan Bakare Foundation seeks to protect Nigeria’s ocean and coastline by leveraging SDG 14 – Life under Water .
According to her, the ocean is a source of livelihood for many Nigerians, and it is threatened by the adverse effects of climate change.
She added that it was important that we ensure the protection of the ocean and promote ecosystem growth.
Also speaking, Jesusorefunmi Soneye, a 12-year- old volunteer, at the ocean clean-up said that from the pre-clean up advocacy, he learnt that it was important to clean the ocean and keep it free of plastics.
Soneye, a student of A & T school Agege, said that if fishes in the ocean consume plastics and are in turn eating by humans, it may become cancerous to the body.
Many volunteers and partners showed up for the clean-up at the Elegushi beach.
At the end of the exercise, a total of 371. 3 kg wastes were gathered from the ocean side.
NAN / Foluke Ibitomi
