Dr Nnimmo Bassey, topmost environmentalist and the Founder of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), has said the current environmental challenges being experienced in Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos, are synonymous to all the environmental crises in Nigeria, except desertification.
Dr Bassey explained that the environmental challenges range from climate change impact, lack of portable water, lack of power, sanitation issues, sea rise, and water pollution, among others.
Dr Bassey made this known during a book reading with Makoko community members, an activity to launch his new book of poems titled ‘I See The Invisible’.
Dr Bassey explained it is obvious that Makoko residents have been neglected by the government, hence, the numerous problems they experience.
Highlighting the importance of addressing the challenges within the community, the eminent environmentalist shared that “if you look at Makoko and you solve these problems, you are on the way to solving the environmental problems of Nigeria.”
Emphasizing climate change impact in Makoko, Dr. Bassey said the way the houses in Makoko are built shows the way houses are built across the entire coastline of Nigeria.
According to him, “Nigeria has a coastline of about 845 kilometers and every community along the coast is facing serious challenges and Makoko people have built their houses above water.”
He thereafter urged the Nigerian government not to demolish when they see environmental problems as he noted that “demolition is weakening our people and communities.”
“All these sayings about reclaiming land, you don’t reclaim land, rather, you are destroying the environment,” he added.
He thereafter sought a law that could stop the reclaiming of land across the coastline of Nigeria.
Ms. Betty Abah, the Executive Director of CEE-HOPE Nigeria, while appreciating Dr. Bassey for always supporting her NGO and the Makoko community, explained that the HOMEF ED is currently supporting the building project of a school that would enhance access to free and quality education for over 100 children in the community.
Being his 13th visit to Makoko in the last 10 years, Ms. Abah shared that Dr. Bassey believes that education is a tool to address the majority of the challenges being experienced by the residents.
In her review of the book ‘I see the Invincibles’, Ms Abah noted that the book of poems “is the seventh collection of poems from Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, it has over 143 pages with a total number of 133 poems all talking about issues relating to climate challenges, resilience and solutions to environmental issues.”
Community members and youths who tagged Dr. Bassey as ‘Makoko Messiah’ appreciated the environmentalist for his tireless efforts to see the community in good condition.
