Nigeria: African Clean-up Initiative in partnership with Access Bank has embarked on a clean-up exercise to mark the 2022 World Oceans Day. In a statement released by Dr. Alex Akhigbe, Chief Executive Officer, ACI, on Monday in Lagos, more than 65 volunteers joined hands to clean up Alpha Beach and to advocate for environmental sustainability, despite a heavy rain downpour.
In his address, Dr. Akhigbe said: “Rural communities contribute less to environmental pollution, but are most at risk of the devastation it causes. It is an unfair reality; that is why the work we do with partners like Access Bank is important.
“Local communities need to be enabled to fight this crisis.
“This World Oceans Day is significant in this pursuit; we remain committed to the people, volunteers and community we serve.”
The Communications Manager, ACI, Ms. Blessing Onyelekwe, also called for urgent action to protect the oceans and marine life within them. She advocated for collective efforts to end flooding and other environmental disasters.
Furthermore, Dr. Akhigbe expressed gratitude to Access Bank and other stakeholders for working together to ensure that the clean-up exercise reached the most vulnerable communities. They included: Recyclers Association Of Nigeria, Lagos Recyclers Association, Lagos Waste Management Authority, in addition to the Alpha Beach community and especially volunteers, who have remained dedicated to environmental sustainability.
A “Green Certificate” was presented to the volunteers for their dedication to contributing to a healthy environment. At the end of the exercise, the shorelines yielded a total of 384kg of solid waste and 60.2kg of recyclable waste.
The World Oceans Day is celebrated every June 8 and the theme for 2022 is: “Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean.” The World Oceans Day is organized globally to sensitize the public about the impact of human actions on the ocean, and for mobilization of citizens in advocacy for the oceans.
