The Coalition of Ilaje Ravaged Communities, with advocacy support from the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has announced plans for a peaceful gathering on Thursday, 6 August 2026, to draw attention to what it describes as the worsening environmental and humanitarian challenges affecting coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The event, themed “Operation Save Ilaje: Protect Our Coastal Communities from Extinction,” is expected to involve residents from more than 20 affected communities, including Ayetoro, Awoye, Mese, Gbagira, Jiringho, Ilowo, Ilepete, Idiogba, Oroto, Alagbon, Erunona, Olotu, Yaye, Womitenren, Ogboti, Lepe, Ehinmore, Abetobo and Abereke.
According to the organisers, the gathering is intended to highlight concerns over the impact of ocean surges, coastal erosion, oil spills and other forms of environmental degradation on communities along the Ilaje coastline.
They stated that, over several decades, many settlements in the area have experienced the loss of homes, farmlands, fishing grounds and other sources of livelihood, which they attribute to rising sea levels, persistent coastal erosion and pollution. The organizers noted that communities such as Ayetoro and Abereke have been particularly affected, with reports of displacement and the gradual loss of ancestral settlements.
The coalition said its concerns include coastal erosion and sea incursions, the condition of coastal protection infrastructure, environmental assessments of oil-impacted areas, environmental remediation, the socio-economic effects of environmental degradation on affected residents, the preservation of fishing grounds and aquatic ecosystems, and the level of community participation in interventions relating to the Ilaje coastline.
The organizers also said the event would provide an opportunity for representatives of the affected communities and other stakeholders to discuss the environmental and humanitarian issues confronting the area and their implications for vulnerable coastal settlements.
source: Aljazirah
