A non-governmental organization, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has commenced a campaign to halt oil extraction and ensure conservation and restoration in Ogoniland and in Ecuador.
HOMEF announced the commencement of the campaign in a statement on Saturday by its Media/Communications Lead, Miss Kome Odhomor
The statement said the campaign in Nigeria and Ecuador are pioneering tools for environmental justice and resilience
HOMEF further said it envisions a world where companies are held responsible for environmental damage, and communities thrive by protecting nature.
“That is the vision behind two inspiring movements gaining momentum worldwide: Ogonize and Yasunize.
“This campaign is inspired by the struggles of the Ogoni people in Nigeria, who have faced decades of environmental devastation and halted oil extraction in their territory in 1993, and the struggle of the people of Ecuador to stop oil extraction at Yasuní-ITT, one of the most biologically diverse places on earth.
“The people of Ecuador voted massively against crude oil extraction at Yasuni ITT in a national referendum in August 2023.
“The campaign aims to advance environmental justice, protect biodiversity, and build resilience in the face of a changing climate.
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“It is powered by people on the ground , activists, community groups, and allies around the globe who are demanding that corporations and governments clean up their mess and help communities heal,” the organization said.
The statement quoted Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEF Executive Director and a passionate environmental activist as saying that “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.
“Yasunize is about rethinking our relationship with nature. It is recognising that some places are too valuable to exploit and that we need to prioritise the health of our planet over short-term profits.”
