Mangrove Marathon, a prominent environmental advocacy group, is set to organize a 10km Eco-run marathon in Lekki, Lagos, with the aim of raising awareness about the urgent need to protect and preserve the mangrove ecosystem.
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With approximately 40 percent of Nigeria’s mangrove cover already lost due to human activities, Mangrove Marathon is calling for collective action from all stakeholders to prevent further depletion of these vital mangrove systems.
The mangrove forests are currently facing unprecedented threats resulting from various human-induced factors, including oil pollution, overexploitation, invasive species, and rapid urban development.
Mr. Jerry Chidi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mangrove Marathon, stressed the importance of public engagement in saving the mangroves, which serve as a crucial life-support system for humans and numerous coastal communities.
In collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and Lekki Local Council, among others, the 10-km Eco-run marathon will attract athletes from all across Nigeria.
The race will commence from Apakin, an area predominantly covered by mangroves in Lekki, and conclude at Akodo-Ise along the same stretch.
Lagos, renowned for its extensive coastlines that stretch along the Gulf of Guinea, is one of the ten states in Nigeria that are home to mangroves and possess significant eco-tourism assets.
Mr. Chidi emphasized, “Saving the mangroves is a collective responsibility since they play a crucial role in our well-being and the livelihood of coastal communities.”
The sponsorship benefits from the marathon will be dedicated to notable mangrove conservation and forest recovery projects, including the Falcorp Mangrove Park in Delta State, the Ecopark Mangrove Sanctuary and Research Centre in Ibeju Lekki, the NCF Green Recovery Project, the Institute of Mangrove Ecology, the Plant a Mangrove Project, and the MangroveeXpo.
The Mangrove Marathon’s 10km Eco-run serves as a unique platform to bring attention to the importance of preserving the mangroves and to inspire individuals and organizations to actively contribute towards mangrove conservation efforts.
By combining the spirit of sports with environmental advocacy, this event aims to foster a sense of responsibility and generate support for the protection and restoration of these invaluable coastal ecosystems.
