The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has been celebrating this annual event since 2015 with the Mundus maris, Akure Chapter, this year also in partnership with Aquaworld,
Tuesday 8th of June 2021, a radio programme was aired on the FUTA Radio. The Mundus maris FUTA representatives, Professor O.A. Fagbenro, Dr. M.L. Adeleke, Mr. C.B. Ajayi, coordinator of young Mundus maris club, Staff Secondary School, FUTA, and Eweola Paul Ayomide, founder of Aquaworld, were the speakers on the radio show. The topic of the radio show was simply the 2021 World Ocean Day motto: “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods”.
Discussions during the radio programme focused on how the ocean affects people’s lives in Nigeria, the state of our water bodies, the activities that affect life in the ocean, especially plastic pollution and how we can mitigate negative effects. There was room for questions and answers from the audience.
The second event kicked up on Saturday 12th of June 2021 with the “Plastic Hunt’ at the Federal University of Technology, Akure and her environs to pick up plastic materials. It mobilised over sixty (60) participants from the Staff Secondary School, Mundus maris Youngsters Club, members of the public and the AquaWorld group. The starting point was from the University Senate Roundabout through to the University cattle ranch ending at the University Wildlife Park (Prof. Afolayan Wildlife Sanctuary).
The second part of the day’s event was tagged: ‘Eco-talks’. It commenced at the University Wildlife Park. Three invited speakers: Mrs. O.O. Olanipekun, Sustainable Agro-Tech., Akure, Mr. Femi Paul Durowaye, ABU College of Agriculture, Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria, and Mr. Eweola Paul Ayomide, AquaWorld, spoke respectively on the following topics.
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Effects of Microplastics on Ocean Life and our Health
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Recycling Plastics
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Reducing our plastic footprints through exploring behavioural changes.
After the eco-talks, the attendees of the event were taken around by the park guide to enjoy fascinating views of some of the animals in the park. Then it was time for the Mundus maris quiz competition coordinated by Dr. Wole-Alo Felicia, Mr. C.B. Ajayi and Dr. Adeleke M. Lydia. Light refreshment was provided to all participants. The event for the ended with a visit to FUTA’s botanical garden and some pleasant networking.
On behalf of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. O.A. Fagbenro and Dr. Adeleke M. Lydia and Eweola Paul, we appreciate the full support of Prof. J.A. Fuwape, FUTA; Prof. T.T. Amos, Dean, SAAT; Prof. A.A. Dada, HOD, FAT; Prof. G.E. Onibi, Dean, Students Affairs; Prof. Owoyemi, FWT Dept.; Engr. Dr. Fadugba, FUTA Radio; YALI Group, and all well-wishers, especially the First Lady of Ondo State, Nigeria; Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu who has been associating in no small ways with the Mundus maris Akure chapter. Thank you all.
