Mundus maris celebrates at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
The 2018 Mundus maris asbl World Ocean Day (MM WOD) event was held in Akure, Nigeria, on June, 13 and 14, 2018, at the premises of The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. The theme of the 2018 WOD is: A plastic free Ocean.
The 2018 event in Akure, Nigeria, featured on the first day: “General sanitation”: a plastic free environment at the Federal University of Technology, Akure and off-campus. It was declared opened by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. J.A. Fuwape.
He gave the welcome address and proposed a long-lasting solution to plastic problems starting from the University, State and the country at large. The project is tagged Plastic Initiation Project (PIP). The Vice Chancellor also joined in the Sanitation event amply documented on the university's social media.
The day one event was further extended to the off-campus environment. At a nearby water body where practical examples of a water body with plastic could be seen.
The public consisted mainly the students of the Staff Secondary School (SSS), FUTA.
Brief lectures on how to keep our Ocean clean and free from plastic were delivered by Dr. O.K. Gbadamosi, Dr. O. Olawusi-Peters, Dr. M.L. Adeleke, Mr. Ikuyinminu Anthony (Principal of the SSSFUTA) and Prof. O.A. Fagbenro.
The session was interactive and closed by questions and answers.
The second day event (14 June) was held at the Staff Secondary School, FUTA Hall. It started at 9:30am with the registration of the participants and invited guests.
The University Vice Chancellor, Prof. J.A. Fuwape was ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Development (DVCD) Prof. Oguntunde. Prof. O.A. Fagbenro of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, The Federal University of Technology Akure, was the Chair. In his address he welcomed all participants and enlightened the audience on why plastic is now the ‘enemy of water’.
The Goodwill message of Mundus maris was delivered by Dr. (Mrs) M.L. Adeleke of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, FUTA. The Principal of the Staff Secondary School, FUTA also encouraged the audience on the need of a plastic free ocean.
The lead speaker, Prof. J.O. Babatola of the Department of Civil Engineering, FUTA, spoke extensively on the theme of a Plastic Free Ocean. See his ppt here.
Ten participants took the Mundus maris quiz; five from FUTA Staff Secondary School and five from the Primary School. Master Enikuomehin Faderera of the Secondary School came first while Miss Ibeto Agatha of the Primary School came second. See the responses here.
Honorary Diplomas were presented to the participants in the 2018 Mundus maris Awards youth contest. The happy winners were also announced by the representative of the First Lady of Ondo State.
Her Excellency, The First Lady Ondo State, Nigeria; Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a marine scientist herself, was ably represented at the occasion by Mrs. Omobolaji Adebayo, wife of the SSA to Mr. Governor of Ondo State: Rotimi Akeredolu on Research and Documentation.
The First Lady in her Goodwill Speech expressed the need to take resolute steps to address plastic pollution both on land and in the sea in order to keep the marine life and ourselves alive. As the Mother of the Day she launched the first African Mundus maris asbl Library at the Staff Secondary School, FUTA.
The Library aims at promoting Science and Arts for Sustainability of the Ocean and its resources. The launching was dignified by dignitaries from within and outside the State. The Vice Chancellor was another chief advocate of the library. The University Librarian Dr. Gbadamosi lent full support and professional advice as well.
The event came to a close at around 12.30pm. The Local Organising Committee was composed of Dr. O.K. Gbadamosi, Dr. Olawusi-Peters, Dr. M.L. Adeleke and Prof. O.A. Fagbenro (Chairman).
The text and the pictures are by Dr. Lydia Adeleke.
 |
 |