The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) has called for meaningful and inclusive dialogue between host communities, extractive companies and government agencies to address longstanding environmental grievances and promote sustainable development across Nigeria.
The call was made in its new report titled ‘State of the Nigerian Environment’, which was unveiled during a hybrid event in Benin, Edo State. The unveiling also witnessed the inauguration of the Heroes of Environment Award in recognition of individuals who have contributed immensely to environmental education and sustainability in Nigeria through their lives and advocacy.
Reviewing the report, Dr Vivien Njemanze, Nigerian statesman, top environmentalist and Founder, Vivien Nonyelum Njemanze Foundation, said host communities must be given direct access to decision-making processes and opportunities for ownership and participation in matters affecting their natural resources and environment.
Dr Njemanze also stressed that meaningful dialogue must be initiated with host communities to enable them to directly express their concerns and grievances against extractive companies operating within their areas.
The former clerk of the Nigerian Senate called for continuous strengthening and review of existing policies and frameworks. “We need to review the policies guiding the solid minerals and oil and gas sector. It is important to check that they are working, and ask questions about whether they are following a definite roadmap that will drive growth and development.”
She thereafter commended EDEN for the report, saying that it will “help to increase public awareness on the extent to which the destruction of the environment affects everyone, and to amplify the call to action that all stakeholders must take steps to halt any further degradation of the environment and join forces to protect it for all of us.
Faith Nwadishi, Executive Director, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, said Nigeria doesn’t lack frameworks to protect the environment and host communities.
“What is happening is that we’re not using them. It is the discipline to connect data with consequences that we lack,” she added.
EDEN Executive Director, Chima Williams, said that The State of the Nigerian Environment Report is not intended to merely present data and update on the perilous state of the Nigerian environment, it validates the advocacy work of the late environmental and human rights heroes who campaigned vigorously for a Nigerian state that respects its people and environment.
EDEN Board Member, Philip Jakpor, said the report catalogues the environmental conditions of local communities across Nigeria through the fieldwork of EDEN and the lens of its allies as well as community leaders and makes critical recommendations to the Nigerian government on how to address the issues.
He also noted that “the report is dedicated to the late Oronto Nantei Douglas, who was a leading environmental human rights lawyer and special adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, late Professor Festus Iyayi, a lecturer at the Department of Business Administration, University of Benin and former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the late Comrade Jonathan Ihonde, one of the most influential activists in Nigeria.”
The report unveiling event also witnessed the presentation of the Heroes of the Environment Award to late Oronto Douglas, which was received by Ogiel Oronto Douglas and also to Comrade Jonathan Ihonde, which was received by his granddaughter, Mary Usi.
In attendance at the event were dignitaries and environmental champions across Nigeria and the globe. They included Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University; Dr Huzi Mshelia, the NDC Country Facilitator for Nigeria; Dr. Priscilla Achakpa, Founder and Global President of Women Environment Programme (WEP); and Iniruo Wills, Partner, Ntephe, Smith and Wills.
Others included Comr. Prof. Felix Oriakhi, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Chief Ewa Eleri, Executive Director, International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED); Prof. Idaevbor Bello, Department of English and Literature, UNIBEN; Dr. Umar Saleh Anka, the Director Climate Change Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; Dr Izuoma Egeruoh- Adindu, Associate Research Professor of Law and HoD Public Law Dept, NIALS; Sunny Ofehe, Founder, Hope for Niger Delta Campaign; and Abayomi Francis, Executive Director of Peace and Development Project (PEDEP).
Dr Ekhator Eghosa of the University of Derby and Dr Pedi Obano, Associate Professor at the University of Bradford, were also in virtual attendance.
