The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron has in collaboration with Marine and Environment Care group supported an advocacy campaign against marine plastic pollution, as a step to save the seas and oceans.
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| Female Cadets of MAN, Oron in group photogramme with programme organiser, Hope Orivri |
At the maiden public engagement, which held on Wednesday at the Academy’s auditorium, the Academy Community made up of the cadets, members of staff and other invited guests, was exposed to the main campaign messages of action to end plastic pollution.
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| Dr. John Adeyanju with the Founder of Marine and Environment Care, Hope Afoke Orivri |
In his welcome address, Rector of the Academy, Commodore Emmanuel Effedua(Rtd), expressed his commitment to the campaign to end marine plastic debris.
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| Group photograph with some of the Cadets after the programme |
Effedua told the gathering that the Academy considered it a worthy course of support, considering that marine plastic pollution is a global concern and that institutions around the world were making recognisable efforts at ensuring the oceans become healthy again.
He said: “The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is glad to identify with this programme that is educating the community on the dangers of polluting the seas and oceans, as well as actionable steps
that should be taken to end the pollution.
that should be taken to end the pollution.
“As an institution connected with the marine environment, it is our responsibility and honour to guard the marine environment, so that we can continue to enjoy the benefits of the ocean
resources.
resources.
“The talk about the Blue Economy, which comes from the ocean resources, cannot be complete without taking responsibility of the well-being of the oceans.
“It is the Decade of Ocean Science For Sustainable Development, as declared by the UNESCO, and the essence of the Decade is for the UN member states to work on mapped out strategies toward achieving the ocean we want today and for the future generation.
“We have simply set sail showing our step to action to ending marine pollution, particularly with plastic. We shall leave here with the message, not just for our consumption alone, but to
be shared among everyone around us.”
be shared among everyone around us.”
In her presentation, the resource person, Mrs. Hope Afoke Orivri, a specialist in communication for human and environmental development, said the core of the engagement was to enable participants at the lecture get exposed to the dangers of marine environment pollution and be able to take action based on the message they have been engaged with.
She urged every participant to be worthy ambassadors of the oceans by staying true to the pledge to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic wares than engaging in indiscriminate disposal of waste.
She told the gathering that people must begin to understand now that marine debris, particularly plastic pollutant come from human activities, as people fail to manage their municipal waste properly.
She said: “People need to understand that it is the activities that human involve in on land that starts the pollution to the seas. When used items including plastic packaging for food and
drinks and even cutlery are dumped carelessly after use, such items are swept into the seas by running water or wind.
drinks and even cutlery are dumped carelessly after use, such items are swept into the seas by running water or wind.
“The good thing is that we can all agree to take responsibility and begin to save our seas now by cutting out single-use plastics, and recycling the ones we must throw away.
“Pollution of the seas is very worrisome, because the pollutants end up in our food chain, beginning with the seafood we eat. Of course, the fishes and marine mammals ingest the plastic
thinking it is food.”
thinking it is food.”
A high-point of the event was the membership registration for a Clean-up Club.
