By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has initiated a one-day “Train the Trainers” program, empowering community residents to monitor and protect their environment against degradation.
The training, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State recently, gathered participants from Ogoni communities. They received instruction in air/atmospheric, soil, water, waste, and noise monitoring, as well as evidence collection, storage, protection, and content sharing.
During the event, Dr. Dinebari David Vareba, Executive Director of Access Africa for Right and Development Initiative, discussed “Understanding Environmental Pollution: The Ogoni Case.”
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He highlighted the significant threat posed by pollution to life, especially in the Ogoni region.
Vareba emphasized the adverse impact on local ecosystems and the transformation of once-medicinal plants into poisonous species due to pollution.
Stephen Oduware, HOMEF’s Programme Manager, emphasized that community dwellers are the primary monitors of the environment. Oduware’s session on “Monitoring and Organizing” stressed the importance of knowledge-based monitoring, integrity, and the use of basic tools.
He described environmental monitoring as a scientific approach to collecting data and deriving valuable insights, leading to informed decisions despite various influencing factors.
Ultimately, the training aimed to equip participants with the fundamentals of environmental monitoring and the effective utilization of monitoring reports. By actively safeguarding their surroundings, these empowered community members can contribute to preserving their environment and enhancing quality of life.
