WIMA Nigeria rallies communities, industry leaders for Tarkwa Bay environmental cleanup at 2026 World Oceans Day

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA Nigeria) commemorated the 2026 World Oceans Day with a large-scale coastal cleanup exercise at Tarkwa Bay, Lagos, demonstrating its commitment to ocean sustainability and environmental stewardship through practical action.

The initiative brought together maritime professionals, environmental advocates, industry stakeholders, community members, WIMA Nigeria ambassadors, and private-sector partners who joined efforts to clean the shoreline and raise awareness about responsible environmental practices. The exercise aligned with this year’s World Oceans Day theme, “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us.”

Speaking during the event, President of WIMA Nigeria, Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze, described the oceans as indispensable to life, economic prosperity, and environmental balance. She noted that oceans regulate the climate, support biodiversity, facilitate global trade, and provide livelihoods for millions of people worldwide.

“Our oceans are the lifeblood of our planet. They regulate our climate, provide food and livelihoods for millions, facilitate global trade, and sustain an extraordinary diversity of life. As we celebrate this year’s theme, we are reminded of the immense value of our oceans and our collective responsibility to protect and preserve them,” she said.

Mrs. Nwaeze reaffirmed WIMA Nigeria’s dedication to ocean conservation, women’s empowerment, and the sustainable growth of Africa’s blue economy. She urged governments, industry leaders, coastal communities, and individuals to intensify efforts aimed at combating marine pollution, protecting marine biodiversity, and promoting responsible maritime practices.

The event attracted prominent maritime leaders, including WIMA Nigeria Ambassadors, Chief Mrs. Carol Ufere and Barrister Gloria Kanabe, both of whom commended the association for translating advocacy into tangible environmental action.

Chief Ufere praised the leadership of WIMA Nigeria for its commitment to sustainability and reflected on her previous visit to Tarkwa Bay more than two decades ago. While expressing concern about the area’s untapped tourism potential, she called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to unlock economic opportunities within the coastal community.

She observed that despite limited infrastructure, the shoreline and surrounding waters remained relatively clean, making the cleanup exercise particularly impactful.

“The oceans are life. We must continue to ensure that our waters remain clean, marine life is protected, and waste is properly managed so it does not find its way back into the sea. World Oceans Day is a global celebration, and with the growing focus on the blue economy, it is important that we align ourselves with initiatives that protect our marine environment,” she stated.

Barrister Gloria Kanabe described the cleanup exercise as both symbolic and essential, stressing that sustainable development depends on the protection of water resources. Recalling childhood visits to Tarkwa Bay, she advocated greater government attention and increased private-sector investment in the area’s development, particularly within the framework of Nigeria’s emerging blue economy agenda.

“We cannot do without the ocean. Water is central to life, whether in coastal communities or inland regions. Today is a reminder that safeguarding our oceans is a responsibility we all share. Together, we must promote cleaner waters and secure a sustainable future for generations to come,” she said.

Vice President of WIMA Nigeria, Mrs. Temilade Ogunniyi, explained that Tarkwa Bay was selected for the exercise because of its importance as a coastal settlement and recreational destination. According to her, the campaign was designed not only to improve the environment but also to educate the public on the direct relationship between ocean health and human well-being.

“The water that surrounds us affects all of us. Whether in Lagos, Bayelsa, or any other part of Nigeria, these water systems are interconnected. Even the water we consume is influenced by the health of our marine environment. That is why it is important for everyone to take responsibility for keeping our waters clean,” she said.

She also commended volunteers and members of the community for their participation, noting that collective action remains one of the most effective tools for preserving the environment.

Adding a private-sector perspective, the General Manager of LTT Coastal & Marine Services Ltd, Liav Zilberman, described the initiative as a practical example of corporate environmental responsibility. He applauded WIMA Nigeria for championing ocean sustainability and encouraged individuals to make environmental cleanliness a daily commitment rather than a once-a-year activity.

“I am honoured to be part of this effort to make Tarkwa Bay cleaner and safer. As a maritime company, environmental protection is important to us. My advice is simple: let us keep our environment clean every day, not only on World Oceans Day,” he said.

In recognition of his support for environmental sustainability and ocean conservation, WIMA Nigeria presented Zilberman with a World Ocean Champion Award during the event.

The World Oceans Day celebration underscored the growing importance of healthy oceans to the success of the blue economy and highlighted the need for sustained collaboration among governments, businesses, communities, and civil society organisations.

As participants concluded the cleanup exercise, the message was clear: safeguarding the oceans is a shared responsibility that is critical to protecting livelihoods, sustaining marine ecosystems, and securing the future of the maritime industry.

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