By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
At a recent summit in Ilaje, Ondo State, Indigenous communities from Nigeria’s Niger Delta united to demand immediate action on the escalating climate crisis and ongoing environmental destruction caused by decades of oil and gas exploration.
The summit, led by Prince Israel Orekha, focused on the themes of climate justice, accountability, and a just transition to clean energy. Orekha emphasized the urgency of the moment, saying, “This is about correcting an age-long injustice; our communities have suffered enough.”
Participants condemned the severe impacts of oil spills, gas flaring, and deforestation, which have polluted water sources, damaged ecosystems, and displaced communities.
They stressed, “If no action is taken, very soon this community might be lost.”
The group called on governments and corporations to take responsibility and provide compensation, asserting, “Corporations must be held accountable for the harm done to our people and lands.”
They demanded full recognition of Indigenous rights, especially the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in all land and climate-related decisions.
A major highlight was the call for a just energy transition that shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy, such as solar and wind, while ensuring no community or worker is left behind.
“A just transition must prioritize people over profit,” participants affirmed.
They also urged the international community to strengthen climate finance commitments and establish reparations for communities affected by extractive industries.
“Our voices, experiences, and traditional knowledge must guide global climate solutions,” they declared.
In closing, the summit reaffirmed Indigenous leadership in the fight for a sustainable future, calling for global solidarity to protect land, culture, and communities from further harm.
