Mangrove Marathon WARRI 2022-Torch Lighting Ceremony

Mangrove Ecosystem is an indispensable natural resource that provides for our sustenance and well-being. Their unprecedented degradation in recent years impacts negatively not just our coastal communities but the whole region. The Mangrove Restoration Torch Relay is therefore an important ceremony to galvanize action and rally stakeholders for Mangrove Restoration.

The Torch Relay, which precedes Mangrove Marathon WARRI 2022, begins with the Torch Lighting Ceremony in Abuja on the 26th of July, 2022. This event marks the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems.

The Hon. Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammed Abdullahi along with other dignitaries including Barr. Sharon Ikeazor (Hon. Minister of State, Niger Delta) and Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi (Honourable Member, House of Reps., Warri Federal Constituency) performs this ceremony before passing the Torch to the Torchbearers.

Thereafter, the Torchbearers tour some Mangrove bearing communities in the Niger Delta before arriving Warri, Delta State. The Torch is then presented to His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri on the eve of the Marathon (29th July, 2022). At this occasion, His Majesty is expected to give his blessings and express his support for good environmental stewardship as advocated through the Marathon coming up the following day, 30th July, 2022.

These activities and the Marathon (10km Awareness Run/Fun Walk) celebrate our Mangrove heritage as an invaluable natural resource that provides for the people’s livelihood and well-being. The activities also symbolically call for inclusiveness and cooperation among stakeholders in efforts to restore, manage and conserve this gift of nature.

For the very first time, the environment takes center stage in sports and this is a willing combination to power and drive environmental awareness. This is the idea behind MANGROVE MARATHON.

Jerry Chidi

(CEO/MD, Mangrove Marathon)

Ologun Freeman

(Director, Sustainability and Environment, Mangrove Marathon)