World Environment Day: OSOPADEC seeks urgent intervention to save Ayetoro from extinction
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Biyi Poroye, has called for urgent intervention to halt the devastating sea incursion threatening the existence of Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Poroye made the appeal during the 2026 World Environment Day celebration held in the riverine community, where he warned that the impact of climate change and rising sea levels had continued to endanger lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure across coastal settlements.
The event also marked the commencement of a month-long environmental awareness campaign organised by the Ondo State Government through OSOPADEC in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment.
According to Poroye, the Atlantic Ocean has steadily encroached on Ayetoro over the years, destroying homes, schools and other public facilities while forcing many residents to abandon their ancestral properties and means of livelihood.
He disclosed that hundreds of buildings, including the community’s Technical College, had already been swallowed by the sea, stressing that Ayetoro could disappear completely if decisive action was not taken to address the environmental crisis.
The OSOPADEC chairman appealed to the Federal Government, international development partners, including the World Bank, and other relevant stakeholders to support coastal protection projects and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities in Ondo State.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tomi Loko, reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration to environmental sustainability and urged residents, community leaders and youth groups to work closely with government agencies in promoting environmental protection and proper waste management.
Similarly, the Goodwill Ambassador for Environment, Ms. Olapeju Olayemi, and the Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro, Oba Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, also called for sustained humanitarian assistance and shoreline protection measures, warning that climate change was rapidly eroding the community’s heritage and threatening its future survival.
