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SPOTLIGHTS
- A state of emergency on the environment is needed in Nigeria
- Land restoration, community compensation, and sustainable practices are crucial
- Protecting biodiversity and prioritising community engagement are essential
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the environment to mark World Environment Day (WED) 2024.
In a statement signed by Executive Director Nnimmo Bassey, the ecology-focused advocacy group highlighted the plight of communities whose lands and livelihoods have been devastated by extractivism and pollution, the focus of this year’s WED.
The theme for WED 2024 is “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.” HOMEF stressed that this year’s celebration should prompt Nigerians to reflect on their responsibility towards nature and embrace sustainable practices.
The organisation urged immediate action to halt deforestation, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, warning that without serious climate action, humanity faces a future plagued by crises.
“Today is a good time for reflection and a change of direction,” HOMEF stated, emphasising that WED 2024 provides Nigeria with a framework for socio-economic and environmental reassessment.
Bassey highlighted the environmental degradation, water stress, and drought ravaging parts of Africa, noting that Nigeria is particularly affected by desertification.
“As we celebrate World Environment Day, we remind ourselves that our environment has been plagued with destructive activities, especially through resource extraction and poor land-use changes,” he said.
Bassey called for an urgent, comprehensive environmental restoration plan for Nigeria to build resilience and secure a safe future. He urged the government to prioritise cleaning polluted land, implementing restoration efforts, and compensating affected communities.
“We must wake up from the futile dream that the earth can be recklessly exploited without dire consequences,” he warned. “We need to understand that the generous gifts of Nature must be handled with gratitude and care.”
He highlighted the suffering in mining communities, oil fields, and conflict zones, stressing the need to protect biodiversity, reject genetic modification, and foster a harmonious relationship with nature.
HOMEF emphasised that WED should serve as a reminder for governments to prioritise community engagement, ensuring that communities are fully informed, consulted, and their consent obtained before implementing projects with environmental impacts.
The organisation stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable communities on the frontlines of the ecological crisis.
“We should transformatively change our policies and choices to live sustainably in harmony with nature, with the complete understanding that the planet is our only home and that her resources are finite,” HOMEF concluded.
