World Clean Up Day: Epe Stakeholders Advocate Eco-friendly Practices

By Babatunde Kaka and Zainab Olanrewaju

• Call For Swift Climate Action

Teachers, students, volunteers, and other stakeholders have called for urgent climate action to mitigate the impact of global warming on the ecosystem.

The stakeholders made the call at 2020 edition of world clean up day.

As part of the activity set aside to celebrate this year’s event, the FABE International Foundation sponsored International Coastal Cleanup Day 2020 tagged ” Protect Epe Marina, our Cultural Heritage” which took place on Saturday 19th September, 2020 at Epe Marina Waterfront.

The Cleanup exercise meant to sensitize residents, community leaders, traditional leaders, government and other stakeholders about the urgent need to address the reckless environmental degradation of Epe Marina, was celebrated amid fanfare.
In order to have an impactful cleanup, the exercise which was billed to take place at the Chief Arashi Balogun compound’s axis was moved to another section of the Marina very close to the Marine Police Jetty. This is due to the fact that the volume of wastes dumped there and open defecation was unimaginable.

With the deployment of various implements, materials and tools, the exerecise therefore kicked off around 08:45 AM with Eco teachers, Eco ambassadors (students) and volunteers tirelessly cleaning up filthy dumps of refuse defacing the shoreline. It is worthy to note that over 15 full waste bags of plastic bottles of different brands were collected from the refuse which will be returned to schools for upcycling and recycling purposes. Other wastes collected include nylon wraps, fashion bags, shoes, clothes, carpets, bra, underwears, baby diapers, electric wires, ghana must go bags etc. Strangely, local calabash, local charms, medical drip bags etc were also found during the cleanup.
As part of the obective of the exercise, participants embarked on a road walk to the ancient and popular Epe Fish market ( Oluwo ) for the sole purpose of sensitizing market women and men on the need to desist from polluting the shoreline.

The sensitization which is aimed at advocating for sustainable practices to mitigate against Climate change also touched areas like endangered animals protection waste management, waste sorting, recycling and upcycling, composting and tree planting. At the market, the Eco Ambassadors were overwhelmed at the sight of animals like python, tortoise, crocodiles, pangolins etc for the first time.

The fun awareness campaign walk further moved to The Royal Palace of Olu Epe of Epe, Oba Shefiu Adewale and finally to that of Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun. The essence was to submit a petition against the environmental degradation at Epe Marina. The letter which seeks the unwavering support of the kings in facilitating actionable solutions to the menace. While both Royal Majesties were away on community engagements, the letters were well received by their aides who promised participants of prompt delivery.

Speaking during the exercise was the Principal of Odomola Senior High School, Alhaja Adebanjo who came to support the organizers and participants. While she appealed to be excused to attend to other official assignments as regard school resumption, she was full of praises towards the laudable idea and then thanked the sponsors for a job well done. She thereby admonished youths to be eco friendly in the community.

” I am here to support this exercise because it is a wonderful idea. I give kudos to the Eco Coordinators and Eco Ambassadors and other volunteers taking active part in this exercise. It is quite a great job and I thank FABE International Foundation for sponsoring the project and also for training our teachers and students on environmental sustainability.

“I believe in a friendly eco system, I believe in the project which is to maintain a balanced environment. Environmental cleanliness and protection of our shoreline to us will promote good health and wealth and I hope this kind of gesture would be maintained. I hereby encourage our youths to be Eco friendly in waste management, waste sorting, recycling and upcycling”. she said.

While speaking to the coordinator of the exercise Kaka Babatunde, he briefed Ekohotblog on the inspiration behind the exercise.

” I give glory to God Almighty for making this day a success. The fact that there is no downpour today is an answered prayer. I give thanks to Mrs. Temitope Okunnu, the Founder of FABE International Foundation for the virtual training and also for funding this project which I think is the first of its kind in the history of this town. This idea was conceived in the spirit of undying love for my home town. We ( Epe Eco schools ) were supposed to have this exercise in our school’s eco gardens but I felt it will be more impactful if we make it public bacause I am fully aware that many NGOs carry out Beach Clenup in areas like Marina Beach, Eleko Beach and Elegushi Beach. The sensitization, awareness and advocacy to stop Climate change and Global warming in those communities can also be exercised here in Epe by virtue of being a coastal (riverine) community”, he said.

He further stated the why Epe Marina was chosen for the clean up, the challenges encountered and appreciated everyone who took active parts in the exercise.

” I will start by saying the COVID outbreak for me is a blessing in disguise because it gave me the opportunity to think outside the box to engage in other profitable adventures especially volunteering for community services. I give kudos to Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his resolve to care for government workers by prompt payment of salaries during the lockdown. I can’t imagine what would have been going back home if it was the other way round.

So, Epe Marina was chosen over other environmentally degraded areas by virtue of being a coastal shoreline where our fore fathers earn a living. Its historic relvance in the development of Epe via rich cultural festivals like Kayo-Kayo and Eebi ( Okoshi ) makes it worthy to be considered”

” Therefore the challenges encountered are not too insurmountable because I am sure issues will always come up in planning and executing this exercise. There were bottlenecks here and there especially the fact that the funding came a little late after presenting the proposal but in the end, I was resolute and resillient in bringing together and dilligently managing both human and financial resources in my care for the project in just three days”.

” I humbly and immensely appreciate my senior and fellow colleagues in the teaching profession for their love and relentless support.

Notable among them are Alhaja Adebanjo, Odomola Senior High School Principal, Mr. Ashaolu, Mrs. Amos, Mrs. Elewuro, Mr. Quadri, Mr. Ogunde, Mrs. Ashiru, Mrs. Gbemi, Mr. Oloritun, Mr. Babatola Ben, Mrs. Oduyemi, Mrs, Gafar, Miss. Sanni, Mr. Adelakun and Mr. Eni

Kaka also gave kudos to Mr. Osifeko Mark Olaniyi, the convener of EDERC and Epe Local Government CPS, Mr. Tunde Subair Epe local government SLG, Epe Local Government Supervisor for Environment, Mr. Ogunbekun, Mr. Okusanya Adewale Olumade, the convener of 100 Smiles Campaign, Impact Performance Alliance members of MOCPED, all Team leads, Eco coordinators and students of Army Children, Odomola, Epe Girls’ and Odo-Obara high schools. He stated that heir supports and participation is a testament to the fact that much can be done with little when there is unity.

While the exercise attracted residents who came to catch a glimpse of the cleanup, Mr. Osifeko Mark Olaniyi also spoke to Ekohotblog about the careless attitude of residents towards the shoreline despite the efforts of government to solve waste issues.

He said: ” Before pointing fingers at government, let us point it to ourselves and neighbors. I am ashamed at what I saw. Our people defecate openly along our shorelines to erode our heritage that could also be a source of income to residents through Marine commerce and tourism.

You can blame the government for not doing enough to enforce our laws but a share of the blame also rests on our people. It is unfortunate that our people are not willing to make sacrifices or take responsibility for their environment. Must government resort to force an prosecution for us to be responsible citiens? We easily call out government for blocked drainages, erosion and folding while we forget to play our own parts”.

It is simply heartwarming to know that Epe community is raising a generation of eco friendly youths. The future of our environment would be in safe hands as their level of exposure towards environmental protection and sustainble practices. While participants are hopeful of urgent climate action towards preserving our cultural heritage, Epe Marina, from the concerned stakeholders in high places, it is hope that such action is taken fast.