DONTOURISM GROUP

Economic activities going on smoothly as usual and inhabitants located along coastlines are thanking God most sincerely for such magnificent environmental benevolence. Later yesterday, I went on patrol to the Okumbiri-Beleu, Opu-Okumbiri down to Sangana coastlines. Long ago I took to the shoreline for the normal trip straps.  Reasons are that I'd accident that kept me in pains for almost two weeks coupled with bought forward reports from last years. Partners wanted them urgently I also needed to keep to track to be on the same page. My recent visit was on personal grounds. I needed to discuss with my everyday Fisher-folks. Say weldone to few people encouraging me locally and drink beer with my papas who calls me into their  abodes so that we can eat, drink and merry as  tomorrow is part of story. I was surprised when an old man about 86 years beckoned on me while i drove few metres near Opu-Okumbiri. Sited in a small hut, I was actually anxious to know ...

By: Raynus Ebiegberi Henry The shoreline traveller Opu-Okumbiri symbol of cooperation Standing tall is a flag of Opu-Okumbiri, a small isolated, ancient historical settlement at the fringe of the atlantic ocean, moving freely and gently back and forth or up and down, as by the action of air currents, sea swells, etc. waving in the wind. It symbolic beauty with a touch of red cross ascribed into a white fabric flying high simply mean safety, purity, and cleanliness. And the red cross of course depicts a people that promotes mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation.   It flutter, fly, flap, billow, ripple, snap, flaunt and stream pointing at the direction of the comnunity.  Frankly, in the exquisite landscape of the coastal community, fishing is not just a job: It is a social tie, a way of life that carries everyone like the Salmon Sisters through the flux of extreme seasons.  Credit: Raynus “They are incredible practice that brings me...

©FAO Giulio Napolitano The United Nations General Assembly declared 2021 – 2030 the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Restoration could remove up to 26 gigatons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. UN Environment and FAO will lead the implementation. 01 March 2019, New York  – The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, declared today by the UN General Assembly, aims to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems as a proven measure to fight the climate crisis and enhance food security, water supply and biodiversity. The degradation of land and marine ecosystems undermines the well-being of 3.2 billion people and costs about 10 per cent of the annual global gross product in loss of species and ecosystems services. Key ecosystems that deliver numerous services essential to food and agriculture, including  supply of freshwater, protection against hazards and provision of habitat for species such as fish a...

Marine turtle conservation actors converged at Grand Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire to setup a regional initiative towards turtle conservation  in West Africa. Participants to the meeting are given 10 mins per country to define priorities in the creation of the network. Ivory Coast stressed the importance of advocacy towards policy makers and the need to make the network formal. Nigeria highlighted the need to empower local NGOs and share best practices among members. For the Gambia, there is a need to help sustaining ongoing initiatives and linking NGOs to Governments. Benin mentioned the need to establish a regional action plan and clearly define the status of the network. Ghana group stressed the importance to reach out to local communities and approach private sector. And finally Togo expressed the need to support the ratification to Conventions and Protocols. West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change Program ONG Conservation des Espèces Marines Christelle Dyc Wildlife of...

"We have come a long way from the side event in Johannesburg, that discussed the implementation of CITES in different regions including West Africa. The first critical steps have been taken, and there will be no turning back until West Africa makes wildlife crimes a thing of the part. The steps we take over the next two days will have lasting impacts on West Africa, and the continent as a whole."‪ Katherine Kaetzer-Hodson, US Embassy Abuja, Environment Director. ‬ #PreCITESCoP18

Check out the gruesome murder of by-catch marine turtles local fishermen. what can anyone make out of this?

 We're about heading into new season of swamp rice revolution as pre-planting operations begin. More investors are picking interest to commercialize and advance the system, and yours truly we're on it. I went to visit a farm 200x250ft in size that belongs to Hrh Edward Edward-inatimi which he'd asked me to facilitate.  This fertile land area under clearing will produce about 17 tons of Faro 57 and 12 tons of faro 44 swamp rice varieties, making it the biggest cultivated rice farms in Akassa clan, Bayelsa state. It'll conform and sustain the principles of food security in the Niger Delta region when completed. I'm sure many would like to join.. Contemplating whether or not to invest? Need more ideas on the modalities? Processing, packaging, linkage and distribution opportunities?  Let's get talking .....We're listening

Female sea turtles have a spermatheca, a storage organ for spermatozoa! Turtles can mate with several males in a single season. The seeds of the males stored in the spermatheca fertilize the eggs as they are laid, even long after mating. There are thus often babies of different fathers in the same nest, thus promoting breeding chances.  Another interesting fact is that sea turtles have one of the longest intercourse in the animal kingdom. It can last up to 2 hours! 🐢#ChristelleDyc

On resuscitating the Akassa turtle, conservation programme with Dr. Joseph Ebigwai of the SPDC; PNI, ADF staffers etc, tried to investigate the rate at which locals capture, poach, kill and eat marine turtles in Akassa communities. The numerous decaying carcasses found at the River banks; shows an animal under serious threat that requires the attention of critical stakeholders.  Raynus Ebiegberi; tour guide We're the shoreline travellers  Your host

Turtle beach patrols The shoreline walk was resuscitated yesterday. Both complaints about our adding too much weight so we've got no other choice than take long distance walk. Oh yes! We began seven kilometers journey from Kongho to empty ourselves at the Okumbiribeleu Turtle beach. Thousands of calories were already burnt down before an hour walk. The coastline welcomed us with its roaring and ambient sound of the sea waves..hauling sand from south to the band of the east at the Nun-point station. The weather was fair before departure in the morning hours..we'd gradually experienced dull darks clouds moving towards the west and finally light showers of rain met us around Minibie axis. Opening up to our targeted destination (turtle beach at Okumbiribeleu) was about two hours or so, we've trekked already (morning exercise) and  supersaturated.  Morning routine We were left to dive those magnificent waves on arrival to stretch the tensed nerves. Rollin...

  Adding value to the ecological system. ..we must continue to imbibe the habit of conservation, protecting the natural environment as these and many more are components of Community sustainable development. Today, a Green sea turtle was released back to the sea..safe.  At the Akassa Coast Conservation Initiative, everyone plays a role to live wild. Thanks to the Shoreline Travellers for promoting conservation habit in the Niger Delta. #lovethywork #wildtourist

A workshop organised by Fostering Achievement and Community Empower Initiative (Face Initiative) held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, southern Nigeria to share experience on how best to protect the environment from further pollution by the international oil companies operating in the region. It, Protection of our environment is not a luxury we can choose to enjoy, but a simple matter of survival. It is not negotiable! The more we pollute the earth, the less we deserve to live on earth ~ Mehmet Murat ildan All life demands struggle and survival on the environment. Many of those who have everything given to them become selfish and insensitive to the real values of what lives depend on.  The very striking action is that we must constantly try to avoid the major building block in the person we are today which destroys natural habits. The society that violates climate change policies, gas emissions and illegal plastic waste disposal etc. should be curbed asap....

By: Jam Oporo Shoreline traveller Tourism is a very potent force in the world. It is also a major player and catalyst for sustainable development as its creates job opportunities, improve local livelihoods, encourage economic growth and alleviate poverty. Tourism is also a renewable source of of revenue, and is capable of generating incentives for conservation of natural and cultural assets. Akassa kingdom is strategically located where the Nun estuary empties into the Atlantic ocean. A place of pristine tropical rain-forest, golden beaches and a tropical paradise magnet that create the perfect eco-tourist destination. Akassa kingdom is blessed with undisturbed natural areas, historic sites, heritage attractions and galleries to feed eyes.  This house is built of iron and brick wall of 2 feet's thick and a height of 19 feet's where slaves were chained as they awaited shipment to the new world. If this tourism potentials of Akassa kingdom is explored, could be...

 The mouth of the River Niger, where the Nun estuary empties into the Atlantic Ocean, a tropical paradise is blighted by poverty and conflict.  Anywhere else in the world, this idyllic sand barrier island would be a magnet to the leisure industry – golden beaches, pristine mangrove swamps and tropical rain-forests combine to create the perfect eco-tourist destination. Sadly, the people of the Akassa Clan do not reap the benefits of the tourist dollar but suffer the poverty and conflict so often associated with the petro-dollar.  Akassa’s 19 communities and 120 temporary fishing ports house 180,000 people, the majority of whom are fishermen living under siege conditions. This is not a new experience for the Akassa people – they have always considered themselves to be exploited and victims of oppression.  It began with the slave traders who built a slave fort in Akassa to house their quarry; this was replaced by the colonialists who exploited their natural...

The Niger Delta region is yet to derive significant financial benefits from the global tourism market due to the nature of her tourism site development and management as most eco-destinations are fragile and require efficient management. One of such is the Akassa turtle observation station, an Akassa Coast Conservation Initiative, facilitated by the Akassa Development Foundation. The major attractions in Akassa Turtle Station are boating, the annual Akassa beach party and viewing of water turtles that seasonally migrate to Akassa coastlines during their breeding season. Inhabitants of Akassa irrespective of gender and age are 100% aware of the Turtle Station and are so interested and enthusiastic in conserving the water turtles resulted in the formation of what is today known as Turtle Club. The managers of the Akassa Turtle Station are indigenes of Akassa communities. This ecotourism destination will be a major tourist attraction of global attention if properly mana...

Members of the West Africa turtle conservation actors in Côte Di'voire  The president of RASTOMA, the network of sea turtle conservation actors, Dr. Alexandre Girard in Central Africa said his team is proud to support West Africa Sea Turtle Conservation Network, its brother network for west Africa! Well done and congrats!

Well folks, it’s been another busy week behind the scenes but finally we’ve come to the moment you’ve all been waiting patiently for - the results of the logo competition and the announcement of the winner of the coveted t-shirt. As you can probably guess the most ‘like’d logo at midday GMT on Friday was the one pictured here with a total of 81 likes just edging out the green and black map logo with 76 likes. The lucky winner, picked at random, wait for it, is Mr. Carl Read. Congratulations Carl!! However, in our infinite generosity, and even despite the fact that it is not actually the ‘season of goodwill’ just at the moment, we feel that there are 3 other contributors to the competition who also deserve a prize based on their valuable inputs. The first is long time follower, Biggi Ortiz, for his very positive and encouraging wellwishes to WASTCON, the second to Mr. Gerry Morgan for his considered design input and the third prize goes to Tovi Chophi for his hillarious comment: ...

1. Bookings/departures/arrivals = Fire service waterside, Ovom, Yenagoa(approved location) - available route & cost (to & from) = Kongho/UAC @N6,050, Sangana/Fishtown @7,050 2. Means of transport = By speed or market boat @2hrs & 8-10hrs distance. Forms : Water, Air - within Akassa transit: Motorbike, canoe, speedboat  Note: NemBrAkassa..Alt route  3. Any hotels? Yes. @N4000/night 4. Locations to visit (for fun seekers and researchers) - Beach stretches= Mini-Amgba 1.80km, Okumbiribeleu-Sangana 15.4km, Fishtown 18.1km & Oginibiri 15.6km  - Large expanse Mangrove forest Monuments  - Royal Niger Company (UAC) buildings - Akassa Slave transit Camp - Whitemen Grave  - 1910 Lighthouse - 1772 boilers of sunking steam ship etc. Expositions - Masquerade displays - Historical sessions  - Tours - Fishing activities  - canoe carving - Weaving etc. 4. Food & drinks: On deman...

Three days tourism tour took us (some staff of the Akassa Development Foundation) to the turtle conversation Nunpoint at Okumbiribeleu community in the Akassa Nation. Now, The beauty of conserving the sea turtle earned the Akassa people an international respect and recognition. Today, because of the understanding and been enlightened the importance of turtle conversation, the people  are finally on the move to crown the sea turtle god of tourism.  Akassa is the only place that practice conservation of endangered species like the sea turtle in Nigeria and member of several conversation societies.  Come to the ADF living university for more lectures. Having said that, there is another planned visit to the over 300 years sunken ship and 60 meters tall lighthouse, built 1912 (the tallest in west Africa) located at Oginibiri community, the heart of the Akassa Nation. In Akassa, Tourism is identified as one obstruent that lightens and unite souls, elongate li...

The 'living university' is an initiative of the Akassa Development Foundation  (ADF) which provides experiential learning opportunities to communities,  institutions and Organizations within and outside Akassa by showcasing the participatory community development processes adopted and practised by the Akassa people to drive their own development.  The concept teaches people how to develop communities through the bottom-up approach which ensures everyone has an input in decisions that affect their livelihood.  In the course of the programme,  the Akassa Coast Conservation Initiative also known as the Tutle club was formed and empowered to implement natural resource component in the Akassa territory since 1998.  Notably..the group recorded major successful achievements;  ● Formation of wildlife committees to better manage the turtle conservation efforts. ● Formulation of the Akassa wildlife Regulation in 1998. A local natural resourc...

It was originally adopted in Akassa less than a year ago as a way to provide opportunity to go fishing with local fishermen and share in the culture, tradition and lifestyle at sea. Fish tourism is an increasing development in other countries where fishing was an established tradition. Fish tourism is part of the wider context of marine ecotourism amongst Akassa communities in the gongola region of the Niger Delta and involves the embarkation of non-crew members on fishing boats for recreational-tourism purposes. Non-crew members are allowed to participate in the fishing activities with crew members. Fish tourism activities are conducted by local professional fishermen using local wooden or fibre boats  which are less equipped for fishing. A variety of destinations can be reached along the coastline, on/around the islands and deep sea fishing. Non-crew members (tourists) must always return to original port of departure. Fish tourism provides tourists with the oppor...

The story of Raynus Ebiegberi's night journey, pulling to survive in the mist of challenges, corruption,  looters of mankind but striving to make my little contribution out of self-determination not minding the foundation of life that sun may rise from the east.  .. I'll be your host.