Conservation is an important element in the One Health field. It’s a key component in maintaining a balance of several species, thereby contributing to better wellbeing outcomes for humans, animals, and the environment.
For this reason, One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) together with the Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture and Ecological Restoration (INSAER) and the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa organized a conservation awareness program at Ilaje High School, Igbokoda. This happened on 3rd April 2023 in commemoration of 2023 World Aquatic Animal Day.
The event took place between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM, and had 83 participants (64 students). It featured talks from the representatives of the three organizations.
The event started with an opening remark from Mr. Akinleye Oyegbami, the Program Lead (Conservation and Biodiversity) of OHDI, who welcomed all participants and emphasized the One Health approach to biodiversity conservation and the significance of WAAD.
Subsequently, Dr. Ogunjobi (Chair, INSAER) delivered a lecture on the justification of sea turtles “Why Sea Turtles are important to a Balanced ecosystem”. He highlighted the various challenges impeding sea turtle conservation efforts in the country including: direct anthropogenic influences and weak conservation policies.
After the talk, questions and contributions were received from the students. Many of them also admitted that they had at one point or the other eaten sea turtles before and previously saw no need to conserve them.
After the interactive session, Dr. Ogunsusi (OAUSTECH representative) gave out a call for volunteers during the inauguration of the Turtle Conservation Club. 38 students willingly volunteered to be each a member of the Conservation Club. The newly inaugurated Turtle Conservation Club members pledged their support to the conservation of Sea Turtle species and the environment around Ilaje.
OHDI presented educational materials (Information board, stickers, notice board pins and printed copies of Turtle conservation information) to the representative of Ilaje High School in the person of Mr. Gbenga Ikugbayigbe for conservation advocacy activities within their school premises.
At the end of the event, Mr. Ikugbayigbe Gbenga delivered the closing remarks, expressing his delight with the event and also thanked the speakers and all participants for their active support in making the program successful.
With this kind of arrangement, students in Ilaje High school appreciated the role sea turtles play in contributing to better environmental outcomes which in turn trickle to the general wellbeing of other ocean/sea species, and humans ultimately. As part of our goal of promoting One Health, we have been able to establish the interdependence of human, sea turtles, and oceanic environment through our sea turtle conservation awareness and advocacy program among Ilaje High School students, in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
Without protection of life under water, the role of sea and oceanic ecosystems could be of less significance to the overall human, and planetary betterment. Oceanic biodiversity should complement each other. All ought to be well to achieve One Health.
