By Ogadinma Wokoma, Port Harcourt
National News – Renowned environmentalist and founder of “My Environment, My Wealth”, Wonne Afronelly, has called for a radical shift in how Nigerians perceive and engage with the ocean. She emphasized that marine sustainability depends largely on how citizens interact with coastal and marine ecosystems.
The call was made on during the World Ocean Day cleanup exercise organized by her team in collaboration with Ocean Conservancy, the Maritime and Energy Reporters Association of Nigeria (EMR), and other partners in Eleme, Rivers State.
Afronelly urged residents of Akpajo, Eleme, to embrace environmental responsibility in protecting marine ecosystems. “That responsibility will give residents a clean and conducive environment,” she said.
Addressing newsmen, she said the initiative aims to raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and other forms of pollution on marine life and coastal communities, while promoting sustainable environmental practices.
“The theme of this year’s World Ocean Day, ‘Reimagine: Know Our Relationship with Our Ocean’, challenges us to do better, take responsibility for our ocean, and serve it as faithful stewards,” she said.
“Our goal is to inspire a new culture of environmental responsibility, where every individual understands their role in protecting marine ecosystems.”
She added that Saturday’s cleanup was designed to move citizens from “ocean blindness” to “ocean consciousness,” especially those living along the coastline who often take ocean life for granted.
Speaking during the cleanup, she expressed gratitude to volunteers and local villagers who joined the effort.
She noted that World Oceans Day presents an opportunity to reflect on the health of the world’s oceans and take action to protect them.
She noted that “My Environment, My Wealth” was established with a mission to preserve the state’s environment through regular cleanups, environmental education, and community engagement.
Volunteers from tertiary institutions said the activity was not just about cleaning the waterfront, but about fostering a lasting commitment to ocean conservation.
Some locals who joined the team described it as a wake-up call for the community to treat ocean cleanup as a responsibility and lifestyle.
They also called for a nationwide ocean literacy campaign to begin in communities, citing the level of pollution in local water bodies.
Such a campaign, they said, would transform public understanding of the ocean’s value and encourage responsible livelihoods.
The exercise concluded with a brief sensitization session, where participants were reminded of the long-term impact of indiscriminate waste disposal and the importance of reducing single-use plastics.
Over 5,000 bags and loads of waste were removed from the ocean during the cleanup.
World Oceans Day highlights the vital role oceans play in sustaining life on Earth and calls for global action to protect marine environments.
