Key players in the Marine Environment Sector are emphasizing the need to deepen and properly integrate coastal communities in Blue Economy strategies across Africa.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola who added his voice to the call while declaring open a Symposium on Blue Economy in Lagos, said this has become imperative to enable coastal communities adapt to the impact of Climate change, caused by over-exploitation of marine resources.
Climate change, Oil Spill, Biodiversity loss and Unsustainable Exploitation of Marine Resources…these are some environmental challenges that have over the years devastated coastal communities in Nigeria and across Africa.
The need to chart a course for the future of Africa’s marine environment through Sustainable utilisation of ocean resources and projects that ensure that the ocean remains a source of livelihood, necessitated this gathering organised by the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative AFMESI.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola represented by his Technical Advisor, Prof Stephen Fakinlede says Nigeria’s Maritime space is vast and should be properly aligned in the scheme of things for the benefit of future generations.
The collective ideas and solutions profered from diverse presentations and fireside discussion sessions here according to AFMESI’s President Felicia Mogo will be Consolidated into a communique outlining clear implementable steps that will drive blue growth in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
