The Nigerian Conservation Foundation 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, the Director-General, Dr Joseph Onoja, said the World Oceans Day called for an action for the protection of the oceans.

Mr Onoja said that if the use of something was not known, abuse was inevitable.

He said. “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 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.

Mr Onoja who described the theme for 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 will in turn come to protect the people. .

Mr Onoja called for responsible management of waste 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.

Also, Council Member, NCF, Desmond Majekodunmi, said that the World Oceans Day drew 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 had reduced tremendously.

According to him, climate change and global warming are impacting the oceans to a great extent and everyone should do everything possible to protect the ocean and marine life.

In his contribution, the Chief Operating Officer, Lekan Bakare Foundation, Abiola Chembas, said that it was important to clean up the ocean for its sustainability and the creatures that live in it.

Mr Chembas said the Lekan Bakare Foundation sought 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 people ensure the protection of the ocean and promote ecosystem growth.
Also speaking, a 12-year- old volunteer, at the ocean clean-up, Jesusorefunmi Soleye, said that from the pre-clean up advocacy, he learnt that it was important to clean the ocean and keep it free of plastics.

Mr Soneye, a pupil of A&T School Agege, said that if fishes in the ocean consume plastics and were in turn eaten by humans, it may become cancerous to the body.

Many volunteers and partners participated in the clean-up at the Elegushi beach.
At the end of the exercise, a total of 371.3kg of waste was gathered from the ocean side.

(NAN)