As part of preparations for the forthcoming 2025 Environmental Summit, officials of the Ondo State Environmental Protection Agency (OSEPA), led by the Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Funke Adeoye, embarked on a working visit to riverine communities in the state. The team, accompanied by the Press Crew of the Ministry of Environment led by the Director of Information, Mr. Henry Johnson Olagundoye, toured selected towns to assess the impact of climate change, introduce the concept of the Blue Economy, and identify areas requiring government intervention.
Communities visited included Oke-Siri and Abereke in Ilaje Local Government Area, as well as Agadagba and Arogbo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area.
At Oke-Siri, the delegation was warmly received by The Most Right Reverend Apostle Dr. Primate N.O. Ogunmodede D.O, JP, the Adedoyin of Oke-Siri and Founder & Spiritual Head of HACCCON Worldwide. Mrs. Adeoye expressed appreciation to the monarch for granting audience despite the short notice, and she outlined the purpose of the visit.
In his remarks, the Adedoyin commended the government’s initiative but lamented that the activities of fishing trawlers posed a major threat to local fishermen. According to him, the trawlers harvest immature fish, thereby reducing their profit margins. He also decried the challenge of sea incursion, which has restricted access to the high seas and negatively affected the fishing business in the area.
At Abereke, the OSEPA team paid homage to the Oloja of Abereke, Oloja Darosha Oladayo Mesagan. Mrs. Adeoye reiterated the purpose of the visit and sought the cooperation of the monarch and his people.
The Oloja, in his response, appreciated the visit and noted that the community was grappling with severe sea incursion, which has split Abereke into four parts and washed away significant portions of land. He further lamented that oil exploration activities in the area have disrupted livelihoods, yet the people have received no compensation from the oil companies.
The team also visited Agadagba and Arogbo communities in Ese-Odo Local Government. However, the Paramount Ruler of Arogbo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Pere Zacchaeus Doubra Egbunu, Esq., (JP), Apukutu III, was away in Akure on state assignment at the time of the visit.
Other members of the OSEPA delegation included:
Dr. Oluwole Terebo – Director, Pollution Control
Mr. Francis Ogunmodede – Director, Research & Development
Mr. Funmi Faruwa – Director, Compliance, Monitoring & Enforcement
Mr. Balogun Adebayo – Director, Environmental Education & Conservation
Mr. Festus King – Director, Finance & Administration
Mr. Adekunle Owoyemi – Director of Accounts
Mrs. Florence Aruwajoye – Deputy Director, Compliance, Monitoring & Enforcement
Experience Jighimo
Doubra Inuesokan
Chief Mujoh
Henry Johnson Olagundoye
(OSEPA)
