By Christiana Ushang
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC) in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UKPACT, and other environmental stakeholders celebrated the 2025 International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove ecosystems with a massive awareness campaign.
The Chairman of the Commission, George O’Ben-Etchi, led the train, which included Members of the Creek Town Community, to the Regeneration Area located in Mbarakom village in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area.
The Chairman, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Regeneration Agro-Forestry, Non-Timber and Medicinal plants (RANM), Ikana Bassey, described the event as significant to the sustainability of Mangrove Ecosystems, which is being heavily threatened in the State.
O’Ben-Etchi urged Cross Riverians to put all hands on deck to effectively checkmate economic activities capable of undermining the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystems.
While speaking at the event, a Director with the Integrated Mangrove Watch Association of Nigeria (IMWAM), Anthony Essien, gave a practical demonstration of the ecosystem planting techniques and advised the host community and other coastal communities to desist from illegal cutting of the mangrove as this he said “is one of the fastest ways of ending the life span of the mangrove.
Also speaking, the Head GIS and Forestry Monitoring Unit, Agala Ebiaga, highlighted the economic values of the critical role mangrove plays on maintaining biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, storm surge, combating climate change, as well as intersection of land and sea, providing essential services such as food security for sea animals, shoreline protection, and storage of carbon dioxide amongst many other benefits.
He, however, lamented that despite their immense value, mangrove forests are under severe threat due to human activities, urban expansion, pollution, and climate change.
The village Head of Mbarakom, Essien Oku, who appreciated the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, for his timely support in the regeneration of the mangrove areas appealed to the Governor not to relent as there was more work to be done in preserving the mangrove at large.
The event, which was regarded as successful by many in their goodwill messages, was described as a milestone marking the beginning of a new era in the protection and preservation of the mangrove areas.
The people were excited, recognising the fact that such plausible actions could revive the lost glory of the water and its inhabitants.
