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Environmental Vanguards Demand Rights of Nature to be given just as Human Rights
Environmental Vanguards Demand Rights of Nature to be given just as Human Rights
By: Michael Mike
A group of environmental vanguards have demanded rights of nature to be inalienable given just as human rights are not allowed to be violated and protected by no other than United Nations and its several agencies.
Presenting their position in Abuja on Monday at the Nigeria Socioecological Alternatives Convergence (NSAC), the environmental vanguards riled out several demands in what they described as NSAC Charter which include: Access to water as a human right; Recognise the Rights of Nature; Inclusive policy development; Just energy transition from a polluting and epileptic dirty energy model to renewable energy; Job transitioning; Transition to agroecology; Ensure biosafety and biosecurity, ban genetically modified organisms.
Other demands are: Halt deforestation, promote reforestation; Protect our wetlands and halt indiscriminate land reclamation; Invest in flood control infrastructure; Enforcement of mining regulations; Decommissioning of mines and oil wells at end of life; Compensations for job losses and reparations for ecological damage to affected communities; Ecological audit — State of the Nigerian environment.
Also demanded are: Environmental remediation; Accessible and affordable clean energy. Energy democracy; Revamped emergency response mechanisms; Reject false solutions to climate change, including carbon offsets, geoengineering, etc; Halt gas flaring; Halt and reversal of divestments by IOCs and Declare no mining zones.
The Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey who presented their demands at the 2nd Nigeria Socioecological Alternatives Convergence held at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Monday noted that the fabric of the social and environmental conditions of Nigeria are literally stretched to the limit.
He stated that: “The threats emanate from local and global strands of the polycrisis wracking the globe. Exploitation, displacements, conflicts, climate chaos, socioeconomic inequities combine to threaten the tenuous fabrics holding our nation and peoples together.”
He stated that: “Desertification, deforestation, extreme water and air pollution, deadly floods, coastal and gully erosion, insecure farms and diverse ecological devastations all merit a declaration of national environmental security state of emergency? The widespread environmental challenges also provide clear platforms for collective work to salvage the situation in ways that political coalitions may not.”
He declared that: “Waiting before acting is a luxury the people cannot afford. The clarion call for action is urgent and critically existential. This reality inspired the Nigeria Socioecological Alternatives Convergence (NSAC). Regrettably at this second outing the conditions remain dire. We remain undaunted because we understand that the struggle for the change we need cannot be a sprint because it has to be a comprehensive overhaul of a system entrenched by indifference and lack of accountability. The socioecological alternatives we propagate must overturn the current predatory system of destructive extraction and shredded ecological safety nets. Our charter has to construct a Nigeria that is decolonial and post extractivist.”
Bassey said that: “In the maiden national convergence, we collectively agreed to a national charter for socioecological justice. Even as we achieved that major milestone we had hopes that at a future date, we would have participants from other African countries. That future has come faster than we expected. At this convergence we have participants from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. We also have other international partners. The reality of having an African Socioecological Alternatives Convergence (ASAC) is drawing near.”
He noted that there are sources to learn from in efforts to overhaul environmental governance in Nigeria, stressing that in Africa, Kenya and South Africa have constitutional provisions for environmental rights that we can learn from, the South American countries of Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela have constitutional provisions for the rights of Nature.
He explained that: “The Rights of Nature includes the right for Nature to be free from pollution. It also places obligations on human at a number of levels. The Declaration on the Rights of Mother Earth is yet to be universally adopted.
“There is a strong campaign for the recognition of ecocide as a crime in the Rome Statute in line with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, etc.
“We already have outcomes of litigations as well as reports that show evidence of ecocide in Nigeria and these could back up the urgency of the crisis,” explaining that: “Two of such reports are the UNEP Report ( Environmental Assessment of Ogoni environment, 2011) and the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission Report (Environmental Genocide, 2023).”
Bassey noted that: “Delta State House of Assembly is working on a bill to recognize the personhood of River Ethiope. The 2014 National Confab had recommendations for justiciability of human and environmental rights.”
He stated that according to the NSAC Charter, ‘Our vision is of a Nigeria where ecological integrity, social justice, and economic wellbeing coexist. We must birth a Nigeria where the rights of nature are respected, where communities have control over their resources and enjoy resource democracy, and where everyone has access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment.”
He argued that: “The environment supports our life and exploitation of nature’s gifts must be conducted in manners that do not disrupt or breach the cycles of nature. As part of nature, humans have responsibilities and obligations regarding how we interact with our environment and other beings we share the planet with. Human activities contribute to the squeezing we are experiencing from desertification in northern Nigeria and the erosion washing away our communities on the coastline. Sixty-eight (68) years of extraction of fossil fuels has rendered the Niger Delta a disaster zone. Climate impacts and environmental genocide leave festering sores on the territory. Uncontrolled solid mineral extraction is poking holes across the land, and these combined with long abandoned but non-decommissioned mines are scars that we cannot ignore.”
He said: “Let us together ‘Yasunize’ and ‘Ogonize’ by demanding the protection of communities and territories with natural or cultural diversity against activities that cause serious environmental impacts, such as from oil and gas extraction, open cast mining, and other mega-projects. We must wake up and demand a change of mentality.
“Our leaders must Arise and be true compatriots, not lords or emperors, even if that anthem has been placed on the shelf. Oil for development has placed Nigeria on a treadmill surrounded by voracious and insatiable forces of exploitation, expropriation and extermination.”
He revealed that: “The major focus of this Convergence is Examining Relevant National Policies and Frameworks for Addressing Environmental, Climate Change and Socio-ecological Challenges.”
On his part, a Climate Change Specialist. Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo, in his key note address noted that the world is confronted with a number of development challenges – record unemployment, unsustainable fiscal deficits, low growth, among others.
He said. “All this in a context where environmental and climate concerns are becoming an increasingly important component of economic policy.”
Environmental Vanguards Demand Rights of Nature to be given just as Human Rights
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Don’t Stereotype an Ethnic Group as Cause of Fallout with Citizens of Foreign Country, Dabiri-Erewa Warns
Don’t Stereotype an Ethnic Group as Cause of Fallout with Citizens of Foreign Country, Dabiri-Erewa Warns
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has warned against stereotyping a particular ethnic group activities as the reason for recent fallout with citizens of a particular country.
She noted that crime has no federal character, insisting that Nigerians should not stereotype anyone based on their ethnic group.
Answering questions on Arise Newsday on Sunday morning, she said just as NIDCOM appeals to countries not to judge Nigerians based on the activities of a few people who may commit one crime or the other , Nigerians should also not judge any ethnic group based on the activities of a few bad elements
She said any one who commits a crime should be held accountable and punished for that crime , adding that “ the few bad ones should not spoil the numerous good.”
She also stressed that Nigeria will continue to ensure that no Nigerian is punished for an offence they did not commit, while appealing to Nigerians to obey the laws of other countries
She also stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed that the Nigerians stranded in CAR who were rescued and are now in the safe hands of the Embassy be brought back home safely
On the issue of Libya , she appealed to Nigerians to stop falling victims of agents and trafickers.and called on the media to project positive stories about Nigeria and Nigerians , adding that “bad news travels fast . Nobody will celebrate us but ourselves.”
Don’t Stereotype an Ethnic Group as Cause of Fallout with Citizens of Foreign Country, Dabiri-Erewa Warns
Nigeria, Algeria Deepen Diplomatic Ties as New Embassy Chancery Project Commences in Algiers
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Algeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following a high-level diplomatic engagement between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries, Yusuf Tuggar (Nigeria), and Ahmed Attaf (Algeria).
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim AbdulKadir, during the meeting, both Ministers exchanged views on shared strategic interests and pledged to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and multilateral platforms.
He disclosed that emphasis was placed on revitalizing the Nigeria-Algeria Binational Commission, enhancing regional coordination, and promoting African priorities on the global stage.
He said in a related development, Tuggar also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Chancery building for the Embassy of Nigeria in Algiers.
He said the event, which held at Dely Ibrahim—the diplomatic enclave in the Algerian capital—was attended by senior officials, Embassy staff, and members of the Nigerian community.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister noted that the project marks a significant step in modernizing Nigeria’s diplomatic infrastructure. The new Chancery is designed with eco-friendly architecture, enhanced security features, and upgraded facilities to improve consular service delivery and working conditions for Foreign Service personnel.
He said the construction is scheduled to begin immediately and is expected to be completed within 18 months, in line with the Ministry’s broader reform agenda aimed at projecting Nigeria’s image abroad and fostering international cooperation
.Nigeria, Algeria Deepen Diplomatic Ties as New Embassy Chancery Project Commences in Algiers
Nigeria, Benin Fine-Tune Framework for Economic Cooperation
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have commenced the process of operationalizing the economic cooperation agreement they signed during the recently held West Africa Economic Summit (WAES).
Both countries had at the maiden regional economic summit in June 2025, in Abuja, signed the memorandum of understanding.
At a two-day meeting of officials of both countries to work out the framework for the implementation of the economic cooperation agreement held August 1-2, in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the move was in line with the objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Minister praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his foresight in conceptualizing the summit as catalyst for the economic growth of the region.
She described the bilateral engagement as timely emphasizing that the two countries were bound not only by geography, but by centuries of shared history, familial ties, culture, commerce and vibrant commercial activity.
The Minister on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, also congratulated the Republic of Benin on her 65th Independence anniversary noting that it was fitting the important dialogue took place at a moment of national pride and reflection for the country.
She stated that over the years, the bilateral relations between the two West African neighbours had grown from informal interactions to a structured, strategic partnership, but not without challenges—ranging from trafficking and smuggling to wider trans-border crimes.
She noted that both countries had always found solutions whenever they came together with sincerity and determination.
“Our shared successes affirm a truth we must never lose sight of: that cooperation, not conflict; dialogue, not suspicion, remain our best tools for overcoming obstacles,” the Minister said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu declared that the visit of the Nigerian delegation was not merely a technical conversation but a symbolic and political commitment.
According to the Minister, it was a commitment to Nigerian people and to the ideals of economic development, peace, and stability.
Therefore, both countries must be driven by a shared vision and mutual trust as they seek to build a resilient and sustainable trade corridor between their nations.
She added that: “The frequency and depth of our engagements at the highest political levels underscore the strategic nature of our relationship. The recent efforts of Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Patrice Talon to recalibrate our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and border management, demonstrate a shared political will to resolve longstanding issues and usher in a new era of mutual prosperity. Both Presidents have shown remarkable leadership in guiding this partnership forward. Their engagements, particularly at the West Africa Economic Summit have reaffirmed the mutual desire to build a future anchored in trade, security, and economic transformation. You would recall the words of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who at the Summit said, “Nigeria and Benin are more than twins. We are the same people. Let us show the region that integration is possible.” I can boldly affirm that the discussions we’ve had from the 31st of July are an extension of that statement and vision.
“The bilateral meetings held in the course of this visit and the ones we will continue to have, offer yet another opportunity for us to deepen our dialogue and build on the gains made through various mechanisms; be it the Trade Facilitation Committee, the Joint Customs Working Groups, or the recent strides made in cross-border trade harmonization. We must seize this momentum to find practical and forward-looking solutions to the challenges that continue to constrain our trade and economic cooperation.
“It is important that we work together to ensure that policies and procedures on both sides of the border promote legitimate trade, encourage investment, and empower our business communities. Let us continue to align our customs and transit frameworks, streamline bottlenecks, and reinforce our joint commitment to regional integration under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
On her part, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, who presented the resolutions at the meeting noted that the economic cooperation would cover four thematic areas including trading services and private sector engagements, market access, customs procedures and trade facilitation, transport infrastructure and storage. Technical working groups are expected to deliberate of these areas and submit reports in Abuja in the coming weeks.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, said his country was committed to sustaining excellent mutually beneficial relations with Nigeria.
The Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Benin, Mrs. Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, the Director General of Customs, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, the Director, Africa Affairs Department in Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Regina Ocheni, Director, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Innocent Iwejuo and members of the technical committee as well as members of both delegations, participated in the meetings.
Nigeria, Benin Fine-Tune Framework for Economic Cooperation
Don’t Stereotype an Ethnic Group as Cause of Fallout with Citizens of Foreign Country, Dabiri-Erewa Warns
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