By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has hailed the African winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize 2022, Chima Williams.
Nnimmo Bassey, Director Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in a statement on Wednesday expressed great excitement over the award given to Chima Williams.
He said, “This award could not have come at a better time for the struggle for environmental justice. The world is at the crossroads with multi crises including climate change, biodiversity loss and others.
“This award calls attention to the fact that changes can be propelled by grassroots actions.
“Williams has clearly illustrated this in his many years of dogged and selfless struggles.”
Bassey also stated that more advocates should rise up to the task of raising new generations of environmental activists to secure a safe future for Nigerians and Africans at large considering the growing destructive activities going on in our countries.
Bart. Chima Williams, the Executive Director of Environmental Right Actions (ERA) is the third Nigerian to receive the award after Ken Saro-Wiwa received it in 1995 and Odigha Odigha in 2003.
This award is in recognition of his involvement in legal fight for environmental justice.
It would be recalled that Chima Williams is the lawyer who worked with the four fishers from the three communities to hold Royal Dutch Shell accountable for the oil spills and environmental damage on Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo communities. He was also on the legal team that litigated the action over gas flaring in Iwherekan community in the case of Jonah Gbemre versus Shell in 2005.