GEAF, NYCN Rally 75 Volunteers To Removes 500kg Waste From Lagos Coastline

The Green Earth Action Foundation (GEAF) has removed about 500 kilograms of waste from the Orimedu coastline in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, as part of efforts to reduce marine pollution and promote environmental conservation.

The clean-up was carried out in partnership with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ibeju-Lekki Branch, and the United Club of Orimedu.

The clean-up exercise, held on July 31, was organised under GEAF’s ACT for Water – ACT II: Freshwater and Marine Clean-up Series and coordinated by Eniola Omotoye, Founder of Life In My Hands Initiative (LIMHI) and GEAF Ambassador (Cohort ’25).

During the exercise, volunteers recovered about 500kg of mixed waste, including plastic bottles, sachet water nylons, glass bottles, used nappies, fish waste, snail shells and other debris.

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The initiative formed part of a coordinated multi-country environmental campaign, with GEAF Ambassadors also leading similar clean-up activities in Geneva, Switzerland; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Ghana’s Central Region.

The exercise brought together 75 volunteers, community members and environmental advocates who worked to remove waste from the coastline while raising awareness about the need to protect freshwater and marine ecosystems.

According to the organisers, the Orimedu coastline has been impacted by plastic pollution, improper waste disposal and environmental degradation, posing risks to marine life, public health and the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Beyond the clean-up, more than 50 participants took part in an environmental education session, where fisheries expert Dolly Sharon and education expert Akeredolu Opeyemi delivered presentations on marine conservation, environmental responsibility and sustainable community practices.

Participants also engaged in a collaborative conservation art activity aimed at reinforcing the message that protecting water bodies requires collective action.

Speaking during the event, Omotoye said environmental protection goes beyond periodic clean-up exercises, stressing the importance of sustained community involvement.

“Protecting our waters is about more than removing waste. It is about restoring hope, strengthening communities, and reminding people that every positive action, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier future for our oceans and for the generations to come,” she said.

GEAF said the initiative underscores the importance of community-led action in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices across coastal communities.