Stakeholders, including church leaders from the Niger Delta region, have called for decisive action against environmental and human rights violations in the region.
They made the call on Thursday in Abuja, in a communiqué after a two-day workshop on human rights and environmental issues.
The workshop aimed to equip participants with knowledge about the UN human rights system, advocacy strategies, and tools to address environmental degradation and human rights violations in the region.
The World Council of Churches, Africa Regional Programme Office, organised the workshop with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice.
Facilitators included representatives from WCC Geneva, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and civil society organisations.
Presenting the communiqué, Leese Nnanna, president of the Ogoni Ministers Forum and Methodist Bishop of Ogoni, emphasised the importance of faith-based leadership in championing environmental justice.
He urged the federal government to halt oil exploration in Ogoniland until UNEP report recommendations were fully implemented. He added that multinational oil companies must clean up polluted areas before exiting operations.
He further highlighted severe environmental damages caused by oil exploration in Ogoniland, such as ineffective clean-up efforts and neglect of vulnerable groups.
Similarly, Evans Onyemara, general secretary of the Christian Council of Nigeria, called on the federal government and multinational corporations operating in the Niger Delta to ensure sustainable living conditions for affected communities.
He said the rights of Niger Delta residents to live with dignity must be upheld, urging decisive action to restore their environment and livelihoods.
Mr Onyemara believed that the advocacy efforts would compel authorities to act promptly in ensuring justice and sustainability for the Niger Delta region.
The former president of the CCN, Benebo Fubara, called for collective action to address the challenges facing the Niger Delta region.
Highlighting the region’s plight, he urged multinational corporations to adopt sustainable practices while extracting resources from the area. Mr Fubara appealed to the federal government to heed the people’s cries by ensuring equitable resource distribution.
Ibrahim Wushishi, WCC’s Africa regional programme director, who is also the host, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to fostering peace and unity.
Mr Wushishi underscored the importance of peaceful advocacy rooted in biblical principles and urged the Niger Delta communities to pursue justice through legal and non-violent means.
(NAN)
