By Obiabin Onukwugha
Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have linked persistent gas pollution and oil spills to rising cases of cancer, blindness and other airborne diseases in host communities of the Niger Delta region.
The stakeholders also raised alarm over devastating environmental and health impacts of gas flaring and oil spills, calling for urgent and coordinated action to address the crisis.
The stakeholders spoke during an event to mark the 2026 World Earth Day, at Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
They lamented that decades of oil exploration activities by indigenous and international oil companies have led to widespread environmental degradation, severely affecting livelihoods and public health.
The stakeholders unanimously called for a holistic approach to remediation, urging the adoption of deliberate policies that promote clean and green energy innovations.
Executive Director of the Network Advancement Programme for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR), Hon. Emem Edoho, stressed the need for urgent intervention to protect vulnerable communities from ongoing environmental damage.
Edoho emphasised that meaningful environmental action must begin in the most affected communities. “For over 60 years, the Niger Delta has fuelled Nigeria through oil and gas extraction, yet host communities like Ntak Inyang have suffered disproportionate harm.
“We live under gas flares that alter our climate. Our soil is weakened by spills, and our water sources are constantly under threat. Flooding and extreme heat are worsening due to climate change.
“Climate change is not neutral. It impacts hardest where poverty meets pollution. Our children miss school due to floods, farmers record poor harvests, and families spend more on healthcare. This is environmental injustice, and World Earth Day 2026 calls us to confront and correct it,” he said.
Edoho urged young people to take the lead in environmental advocacy, noting that they are already directly affected by the crisis.
“You are not just future leaders—you are present defenders. You breathe this air and experience these conditions daily. That makes your voices powerful and credible,” he said.
He also encouraged communities to move beyond rhetoric by embracing practical solutions such as tree planting and environmental awareness campaigns.
“Trees are not mere decoration; they are essential for survival. They purify the air, prevent erosion and help regulate temperature. They are proof that environmental restoration is achievable,” he stated.
In his goodwill message, Vice Principal of Model International Secondary School, Ntak Inyang, Mr Jack Jack, who represented the principal, commended NAPPDRR for its initiative and pledged the school’s continued support for environmental sustainability programmes.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Area, represented by the Supervisor for Environment, Hon. Imoh Jonah, lauded the organisation for hosting the event and promoting environmental awareness at the grassroots level.
He described youths as critical stakeholders in climate action and expressed concern over the disappearance of wildlife such as lions, elephants and monkeys, which once inhabited the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.
Jonah condemned the ongoing deforestation of the forest through illegal logging and firewood trading, warning of its long-term ecological consequences.
The Village Head of Ntak Inyang, Chief John Okon Ekwere, expressed appreciation to the organisers for hosting the landmark event in the community and for drawing attention to the region’s environmental challenges.
