BY DOYIN ADEOYE
THE
Nigerian Network of NGOs (NNGO), in collaboration with the Beach Samaritans recently
contributed their own quota to saving the earth.
Held
to commemorate the start of the UN Paris climate change conference, the
volunteers converged on Alpha Beach, Lekki, Lagos on 29 November for a beach
cleaning exercise tagged ‘Action 2015.’
Since
inception in November 2014, the Beach Samaritans, an initiative of the Children
And The Environment (CATE) and Waka About, regularly embark on cleaning
exercises on beaches across the state. The NNGO on the other hand, is the first
generic membership body for civil society organisations in Nigeria, which
focuses on effective advocacy of developmental issues.
In
his remarks, Ambassador Bodunrin Gimba, an emissary of the United Nations on climate
change noted that “Nearly 85 per cent of the body is made up of water. So the beach
cleanup exercise is a move towards saving sea life of any toxic substance which
could be harmful to our health if we consume them on the long run.”
Buttressing
this, Environmental Strategist, Dr Paul Abollo, said “By clearing the debris at
the seashore, we reduce the risk of drinking contaminated water and stand a
good chance of enjoying good health.”
One
of the conveners of the event, Shola Alamutu, explained that the exercise was
necessary, as the beach was not conducive for swimming because the effects of global
warming has eroded a good quantity of the sea turf.
Mrs
Funmi Ilori, founder, Climate Kids Club, also addressed the children at the
event on the importance of the exercise, saying that “Healthy water makes for a
healthy living.”
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