Centre For Social Justice & Environmental Rights Protection

https://punchng.com/32-years-after-ogoni-seeks-redress-for-military-invasion/?amp

32 years after, Ogoni seeks redress for military invasion Decades after a military invasion, 17 Ogoni communities seek redress for neglect, hardship, and a lack of schools, healthcare, and basic amenities.

https://punchng.com/32-years-after-ogoni-seeks-redress-for-military-invasion/

32 years after, Ogoni seeks redress for military invasion Decades after a military invasion, 17 Ogoni communities seek redress for neglect, hardship, and a lack of schools, healthcare, and basic amenities.

Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections Commemorates World Day of Social Justice with Advocacy Outreach for Ogoni Communities, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
February 21, 2026

In a poignant observance of the World Day of Social Justice, the Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP) held a special event yesterday, February 20, at the Tumbee, Lekuma Ogoni Communities (Ogoni Special Area), in Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State. The gathering focused on amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, particularly the Lekuma Ogoni communities, aligning with the United Nations' 2026 theme, "Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice."

Led by The Director, Wisdom Kagbara, CESJERP delivered a powerful Solidarity Speech titled "Standing with Lekuma Ogoni Communities ( Ogoni Special Area)," which highlighted the enduring struggles and recent triumphs of the people of Lekuma Ogoni Communities. The speech underscored themes of relief, empowerment, economic inclusion, and psychosocial support for communities displaced by over two decades of conflict and environmental degradation due to oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

In the address, Kagbara emphasized the Lekuma Ogoni community's resilient return after over 20 years exile, calling for collective action to bridge gaps in social justice. Key excerpts from the speech include:
"Dear brothers and sisters of Lekuma Ogoni Communities, on this World Day of Social Justice, we stand in unwavering solidarity with you. Your over 20 years exile, marked by unimaginable hardship, has ended, but the journey to true healing and empowerment is just beginning. We commit to providing the relief you deserve, access to clean water, healthcare, and education, while fostering economic inclusion through sustainable livelihoods that honor your land and heritage."
The speech further addressed the psychosocial needs of returnees, advocating for mental health support and community reconciliation programs to mend the scars of displacement. "Empowerment is not a gift; it is a right. We must bridge the gaps that divide us, ensuring every voice from Ogoni is heard in the halls of power," Kagbara stated, urging stakeholders, including government bodies and international partners, to invest in restorative justice initiatives.

The event, organized in collaboration with partners such as the Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation, Eco Safe Initiative, and Budgit, drew community leaders, activists, and media representatives. It featured discussions on environmental remediation, resource control, and inclusive policies to combat poverty and inequality in the region. Attendees praised CESJERP's efforts to translate global commitments from the recent Doha Political Declaration into local actions, reaffirming the pillars of poverty eradication, decent work, and social inclusion.

This commemoration comes amid broader trends in Nigeria's social justice landscape, including rising calls for equitable resource distribution in the Niger Delta and addressing economic hardships exacerbated by inflation and poverty. CESJERP, a Port Harcourt based organization dedicated to defending human rights and the environment, continues to advocate for vulnerable groups, building on the legacy of activists like Ken Saro-Wiwa.

As the world reflects on social justice, Kagbara's speech serves as a rallying cry for renewed efforts in Nigeria. "Let this day mark not just remembrance, but real change where justice flows like the rivers of our land, unpolluted and free for all," he concluded.

For more details on CESJERP's initiatives, visit their page or follow on X. And On Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/share/17uBpArrso/
The organization invites ongoing support to advance environmental and social equity in the region.

PRESS BRIEFING

Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP)
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
February 19, 2026

Solidarity Outreach to Ban Goi and Ogoni Special Area Amidst Ongoing Challenges of Violence, Communal Crises, Boundary Disputes, Environmental Degradation, and Return from Exile

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Distinguished Stakeholders, Community Leaders, Partners in Justice, and Fellow Advocates,
Good afternoon.

As we stand on the eve of the World Day of Social Justice (February 20, 2026), under the global theme “Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice”, the Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP) reaffirms its unwavering dedication to amplifying the voices of the marginalized, defending human rights, and confronting systemic injustices in Nigeria particularly in the Niger Delta region.
Today, CESJERP announces and launches a Solidarity Outreach initiative targeted at the Ban Goi/Ogoni special area communities in Rivers State. These communities have endured decades of profound suffering, including:
Escalating violence stemming from communal crises and boundary disputes that have torn at the social fabric and claimed lives.

Severe environmental degradation caused by long standing oil exploration activities, oil spills, pollution of land and water sources, destruction of farmlands and fishing grounds, and the resulting loss of livelihoods issues that trace back to historical operations in Ogoniland and continue to impact health, agriculture, and ecology.

Forced displacement and exile, with many community members compelled to flee their ancestral homes due to repression, insecurity, and threats to life. Some have remained in exile for over two decades, living in neighboring countries or other regions, separated from family, culture, and heritage.

We are profoundly encouraged and humbled by the recent return home of several exiled community members after more than 20 years away. This homecoming represents resilience, hope, and a hard-won step toward healing. Yet, it also highlights the urgent need for sustained support: safe reintegration, restoration of livelihoods, resolution of lingering disputes, environmental remediation, and protection from renewed threats.
Through this Solidarity Outreach, CESJERP commits to:

Providing direct solidarity, advocacy,
Documenting ongoing human rights violations, environmental harms, and barriers to peaceful coexistence.
Engaging stakeholders, including government authorities, traditional leaders, civil society, and international partners to push for:

Just resolution of boundary and communal disputes through dialogue and mediation.

Accountability for historical and ongoing injustices.

Inclusive policies that ensure equitable development, access to justice, and protection of vulnerable groups.

This outreach aligns directly with the spirit of World Day of Social Justice: translating renewed global commitments into tangible local actions that leave no one behind. The struggles in Ban Goi and Ogoni Special area is emblematic of broader fights against exclusion, poverty, environmental racism, and the unequal burdens of resource extraction.
CESJERP stands in full solidarity with the people of Ban Goi, Ogoni Special area, and all Niger Delta communities who continue to demand dignity, justice, and a livable future. We call on all well-meaning individuals, organizations, and institutions to join us in this effort.

For more information on how to support or participate in the Solidarity Outreach, please contact CESJERP through our official channels.
Together, let us build a Nigeria where social justice is not just observed one day a year, but lived every day.

Thank you.
Wisdom Kagbara
Director
Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP)