Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Barrister Chima Williams, has emerged African winner of 2022 prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize.
Winners from other continents, according to the Goldman Environmental Foundation include Niwat Roykaew from Thailand; Marjan Minnessma, the Netherlands; Juliet Vincent, Australia; Nalleli Cobo, United States; Alex Luciatante and Alexandra Narvaez, Ecuador.
The Goldman Prize since 1989, is awarded annually to honor the achievements and leadership of grassroots environmental activists from each of the world’s six inhabited continental regions.
The Prize recognizes individuals for their sustained significant efforts in protecting the environment, and also seeks to inspire other ordinary people to take extraordinary actions to protect the natural world.
Chima Williams is the third Nigerian to receive the award after Ken Saro-Wiwa received it in 1995 and Odigha Odigha in 2003. The award is in recognition of his massive involvement in legal fight for environmental justice.
It would be recalled that Chima Williams is the lawyer who worked with the four Nigerian farmers from three Niger Delta communities to hold Royal Dutch Shell accountable for the oil spills and environmental damage in Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo communities.
Williams was also on the legal team that litigated the action against gas flaring in Iwherekan community, Delta State in the case of Jonah Gbemre versus Shell in 2005.
Reacting to the award, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, expressed excitement as it celebrates the African winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize 2022, Barr. Chima Williams.
Director of HOMEF, Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, said more advocates should rise up to the task of raising new generations of environmental activists to secure a safe future for Nigerians and Africans, considering the growing destructive activities going on in the continent.
“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.
“The Goldman Environmental prize given to Chima Williams shines a light on the serious harms that have been inflicted on our environment and the right of the people to stand for justice,” Bassey said
