… Demand environmental justice
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — A global call for accountability and environmental justice is gathering momentum through two movements, Ogonize and Yasunize, inspired by the struggles of communities resisting oil exploitation in Nigeria and Ecuador.
The campaigns, drawing from the experiences of the Ogoni people who halted oil extraction in their homeland in 1993, and the people of Ecuador who voted in 2023 to stop crude oil drilling at the Yasuní-ITT reserve, are urging governments and corporations to clean up environmental damage, pay reparations, and transition to sustainable alternatives.
Speaking on the initiative, Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, said the movements symbolise a global awakening to the need for corporate accountability and community-led environmental protection.
“Ogonize is more than a campaign; it is a fight for what is right. We want to ensure that communities impacted by environmental disasters are heard, that their land is restored, and that future generations inherit a healthy planet,” Bassey stated.
He explained that the Yasunize movement complements Ogonize by calling for the protection of irreplaceable ecosystems from oil exploration, stressing that some natural environments are too valuable to exploit.
“Yasunize is about rethinking our relationship with nature. It is recognising that some places are too valuable to destroy and that we must prioritise the planet’s health over short-term profits,” he said.
Bassey noted that both movements challenge the current global economic system that sacrifices people and the environment for profit, calling for renewed commitment to sustainability, justice, and equity.
“Together, Ogonize and Yasunize paint a picture of a world where environmental justice and sustainability are not just ideals, but realities. They challenge the status quo and remind us that real change comes from community-led solutions and global cooperation,” he added.
The campaign focuses on holding polluters accountable through legal and financial reparations, protecting biodiversity hotspots and indigenous territories, and promoting renewable energy and sustainable livelihoods for affected communities.
It also seeks to amplify the voices of marginalised groups in global climate discussions while strengthening international solidarity for nations that choose to protect their ecosystems.
According to HOMEF, the movements are an invitation for governments, civil society, and individuals to stand with communities in the Niger Delta, Ecuador, and beyond, by demanding accountability and an end to environmental destruction.
“We are calling on everyone — from policymakers to ordinary citizens — to join this campaign to stop ecocide and protect vital ecosystems. This is about justice, survival, and the future of humanity,” Bassey said.
The Ogonize and Yasunize campaigns, organisers say, represent a united front against environmental exploitation and a clarion call for a new global order that puts people and the planet above profit.
