By Abbas Nazil
Over 200 young volunteers, galvanized by UNICEF, converged at Marina Beach in Cross River for a large-scale cleanup aimed at addressing the escalating problem of plastic pollution in Nigeria’s water bodies.
The initiative, organized as part of the Green Rising Initiative, reflects a growing movement led by youth to protect the environment and tackle the global challenge of plastic waste.
Supported by partners such as GreenRising, Generation Unlimited (GenUnlimited), Youth Power Africa Team (YPAT), the University of Calabar, and others, the cleanup sought to mitigate the harmful impacts of plastic waste on marine ecosystems and human health.
The action responds to the urgent need to prevent plastic materials, especially single-use plastics, from polluting oceans, rivers, and beaches.
Speaking during the event, UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist from the Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Bolatito Gabriel, emphasized the severe dangers posed by plastic waste.
She pointed out that littering, including waste left on beaches, dumped in rivers, and carried by wind from streets, is a major contributor to marine pollution.
Single-use plastics—such as bags, bottles, and straws—were identified as particularly dangerous due to their low recyclability and persistent presence in the environment.
Gabriel noted that such plastics not only harm marine life by entangling animals and disrupting habitats but also release toxic chemicals into the water, posing significant threats to biodiversity and human health.
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She called for greater awareness and behavior change, especially among the youth, to curb the pollution at its source.
The event also saw passionate involvement from students, activists, and community-based organizations.
Gift Akoh, a 400-level Public Health student from the University of Calabar, highlighted the broader public health implications of maintaining a clean beach, noting that stagnant waste areas can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases.
Similarly, Christiana Etim, Youth Coordinator for the Nigeria Red Cross Society’s Cross River branch, stressed the importance of fostering environmental responsibility as a key step toward mitigating the long-term effects of climate change.
She called on the public to adopt eco-friendly habits to safeguard natural water habitats.
Joshua Otie, also a Public Health student and founder of the Hope Assured Foundation, drew attention to the health risks associated with plastic chemicals, linking them to chronic illnesses such as cancer.
He emphasized the need for continued advocacy and youth engagement to ensure the preservation of the environment for future generations.
Otie also praised the recycling aspect of the cleanup, where volunteers sorted and recycled collected materials, promoting a circular economy.
He called for more youth-centered environmental initiatives, affirming the role of young people as crucial drivers of positive environmental change.
