Group organises art workshop on environmental degradation in Niger Delta

By Obiabin Onukwugha
A group of young Artists under the aegis Art4Resistance, has organized a workshop to tell stories of environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region through Art and Painting.
The event which held in Benin City, Edo State was organized under the facilitation of the Lilibekking Development foundation (LIBEDEF), aimed at exploring other forms of environmental advocacy.
The Art4Resistance workshop featured visual artist who uniquely illustrated the impact of oil exploration in the Niger Delta through paintings, and also communicate reliable solutions as well.
Co-Director of LIBEDEF, Destiny Aigbokhae, who spoke at the workshop, stated that the group’s initiative seeks to advocate for the betterment of the environment and living condition for the Niger Deltans where the youths can synergize towards achieving a sustainable change.
While analyzing some of the paintings, the Media Program Manager of Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Elvira Jordan, described the stories of host communities in the Niger Delta region, as heartbreaking and pathetic.
She pointed out that people in communities are forced to live under poverty, poor health conditions and degraded environment, despite the huge amount of resources extracted their lands
Jordan, who was the guest speaker at the workshop, regretted that the activities of oil multinationals have continued unchallenged because the government of Nigeria has turned a blind eye to their excesses, because of the benefits they receive from the companies, which is at the expense of the people.
She called for the clean up of all oil polluted communities, and compensations for people who have been impacted by oil pollution and an end to fossil fuels extraction.
Also speaking at the workshop, the Executive Director or Gbolekekio Women Empowerment & Development organization (GWEDO), Comrade Cynthia Buhiebiere, highlighted the importance of sustained advocacy and resilience against environmental hazards in the Niger Delta region.
According to her, “these problems can be resolved if the government take away sentiments, become accountable and transparent over these issues. They will realize that the MOU are not taken seriously.” She added that there is hope if the government is willing to implement the right policies.
Buhiebiere also added that the use of art as a representation of Environmental crisis in the Niger Delta region was indeed beautiful and educational.
One of the painters and coordinator of the Art4Resistance group, Victory Chukwuma, stated that the workshop was organized to explore other forms of environmental advocacy, adding that paintings were used to depict the stories of the people who are victims of oil exploration.
He called for better laws and policies that will protect the people of Niger Delta against oil multinationals.