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The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, Celebrates 2016 World Oceans Day

FUTA, Nigeria, joins the global community to celebrate the 2016 World Oceans Day on 8th June. The event took place at T. I. Francis Auditorium FUTA. The programme was declared opened by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Biyi Daramola who was represented by the Dean of School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Prof. M.O. Alatise. In his opening speech, he emphasised the importance of celebrating and protecting the oceans.

The 2016 WOD in FUTA was jointly organised by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology and the Department of Marine Science and Technology of the University. The lead speaker, Prof. O.A. Olusoji Bello from Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology spoke on the topic: ‘Health Ocean and Healthy People’. Mr. Moruf O. Adegbile, a final year undergraduate student of the Department of Marine Science and Technology, delivered a lecture on the “Persistence of Organic Pollutants and their Effects on Ocean Health". Kuyoro Esther, a final year undergraduate student who represented the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, also talked on the general view of “The World Ocean”.

Pupils from the First Next Level Academy and Anchorite Nusery and Primary School, Akure, where not left out in exhibiting their talents in presenting to the audience a sketch and songs about the ocean. The audience were mostly youths from both public and private Secondary Schools in the State, University Undergraduates and Postgraduates but also members of the general public. The Federal University of Technology (FUTA) Staff Secondary School students and Christ the Redeemer Secondary School were also present at the occasion. Representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture were in attendance as well.

For the occasion, Ms. Bukola Williams represented Prof. Stella Williams, who is the mind and heart behind the Mundus maris organisation in Nigeria. The University Registrar Dr. (Mrs.) M.O. Ajayi attended throughout as did Prof. L.C. Nwanna and Prof. Oguzie from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, FUTA. Other important dignitaries graced the occasion as well.

The event benefitted from the support of the University Protocol Unit, Parks and Garden Unit and a lot of volunteers who supported it in their various capacities and contributed to the memorable Day with over 400 participants.

Honorary Certificates were presented to all participants in the Mundus maris 2016 Awards contest.

The Local Organising Committee for the 2016 WOD at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, were Prof. O.A. Fagbenro as the Chairman, Dr. A.A. Adelodun (MST Dept.), Dr. P. Ogunseyiju (MST Dept.), Mr. O.K. Gbadamosi (FAT Dept.), Dr. O.O. Olawusi-Peters (FAT Dept.) and Dr. (Mrs.) M.L. Adeleke (FAT Dept.); she is also the Mundus maris Representative in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.