Centre For Social Justice & Environmental Rights Protection

01/05/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

May 1, 2026

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

International Workers’ Day 2026: Labour Rights, Environmental Justice and Inclusive Livelihood Restoration in Ogoniland

The Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP) joins workers, trade unions and civil society across Nigeria and the world in commemorating International Workers’ Day 2026. We salute the resilience and daily sacrifices of Nigerian workers, especially the fisherfolks, farmers, artisans and labourers of the Niger Delta who continue to bear the brunt of environmental degradation while struggling to earn a decent living.

In the oil-bearing communities of Ogoniland, the dignity of labour remains severely threatened. Decades of oil pollution have destroyed rivers, mangroves, and fishing grounds, the very foundation of traditional livelihoods. While we acknowledge ongoing efforts by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) towards environmental remediation and livelihood support, serious gaps persist.

We particularly amplify the cry of the Fishermen Association in Ogoni, who have raised alarm that many of their members have been excluded or inadequately captured in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration programmes. These fishermen, whose livelihoods were directly devastated by oil spills and mangrove destruction, continue to suffer as fishing grounds remain polluted and alternative support fails to reach the most affected.

Comr. Wisdom Kagbara, Executive Director of CESJERP, stated:
“On this Workers’ Day, we declare that labour rights without environmental justice is meaningless. How can we speak of decent work for Ogoni fishermen when their rivers and creeks are still poisoned, and many of them have been left out of HYPREP’s livelihood training and restoration packages? True remediation must restore both the environment and the people’s means of survival. Fishermen and women whose only trade is fishing must be deliberately included in all livelihood interventions.”

CESJERP therefore calls on the Federal Government, HYPREP, the Rivers State Government, and multinational oil companies to:

Immediately review and expand HYPREP’s livelihood restoration programme to fully capture and prioritize genuine fishermen and other traditional livelihood groups in Ogoni who were most impacted by hydrocarbon pollution.

Ensure transparent, community driven selection processes that prevent exclusion of the most vulnerable, especially artisanal fishermen in riverine and mangrove dependent communities.

Accelerate the clean up and restoration of polluted rivers, creeks and mangroves to revive natural fishing grounds as a matter of urgency.

Provide targeted, sustainable support such as improved fishing inputs, aquaculture training, mangrove regeneration projects linked to fishing livelihoods, and direct economic empowerment for excluded groups.

Strengthen inclusion, accountability and monitoring mechanisms so that livelihood programmes truly benefit those whose sources of income were destroyed by oil activities.

Environmental justice is labour justice. A healthy environment is the bedrock of productive and dignified work. We stand in solidarity with all Nigerian workers demanding fair wages, safe conditions, and social protection, and with the people of the Niger Delta who demand both a clean environment and restored livelihoods.

CESJERP renews its commitment to grassroots advocacy and will continue to monitor HYPREP’s interventions while amplifying the voices of marginalized groups such as the Ogoni Fishermen Association.

Signed:
Comr. Wisdom Kagbara
Executive Director
Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP)
Contact: +2348067582490
Email: [email protected]
United Nations
Centre For Social Justice & Environmental Rights Protection

30/04/2026

Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections Condemns the Extrajudicial Killing of Oghenemine M. Ogidi in Delta State

Port Harcourt, Rivers State – April 30, 2026

The Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CSJERP) strongly condemns the brutal and extrajudicial killing of Mr. Oghenemine M. Ogidi by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

This incident represents yet another tragic case of police impunity and abuse of power that has continued to claim innocent lives across the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. The Centre views this killing as unacceptable, unlawful, and a gross violation of the fundamental right to life as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and various international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.

We note with serious concern the statements released by the Police authorities yesterday regarding this incident. While we acknowledge the issuance of such statements, we demand that they must not end as mere rhetoric or damage control. The Police Command must immediately:
Carry out a comprehensive, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of Oghenemine M. Ogidi.

Identify, arrest, and prosecute all officers directly or indirectly involved in this extrajudicial killing.

Make the prosecution process public and ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
The Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections warns that failure to diligently prosecute the blood-thirsty officers responsible for this heinous act will leave the public with no other option than to embark on another mass action under the banner of .

We cannot continue to watch while citizens are treated as expendable objects by those sworn to protect them. Enough is enough. The era of police officers acting as judge, jury, and ex*****oner must come to an immediate end.

The Centre calls on the Inspector General of Police, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, the Delta State Government, and all relevant authorities to act swiftly and decis

07/04/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Easter Renewal Must Extend to Ogoni: Full Remediation and Justice Before Any Oil Resumption – CESJERP

As the world celebrates the spirit of Easter, a season of resurrection, hope, renewal, and the triumph of justice over suffering; the Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP) calls on the Federal Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC/NIOC), and all relevant authorities to translate this message of rebirth into concrete action for the long-suffering people of Ogoniland.

While Christians across the globe rejoice in the resurrection of life, countless Ogoni families continue to live amid death and decay caused by persistent oil contamination. In Kpean community, Khana Local Government Area, fresh and recurring oil spills from wells in the Yorla Oil Field (OML 11), including major incidents in August and December 2025 at Well 14 and surrounding sites, have devastated farmlands, polluted rivers and water sources, destroyed mangroves and aquatic life, and rendered livelihoods impossible. Residents wake up to suffocating hydrocarbon fumes, cannot farm or fish, and face ongoing health risks with little to no meaningful cleanup or support from operators.

This environmental assault is not an isolated tragedy. It represents a blatant and continuing violation of the social and environmental rights of the Ogoni people. The right to a clean and healthy environment, the right to water, the right to food security, and the right to dignity are being trampled daily. Decades of oil exploitation have left scars that no cosmetic remediation can hide, while communities bear the brunt of pollution without equitable benefits or accountability.

CESJERP reiterates its February 2026 calls, made during the World Day of Social Justice outreach in Lekuma, Tai LGA: There must be full, verifiable, and independent remediation of all polluted sites before any resumption of oil operations in Ogoniland. Plans to restart production in OML 11 without addressing these fundamental issues amount to sacrificing the health and future of Ogoni communities on the altar of profit.

We further tie this urgent demand to the unresolved plight of the displaced Lekuma Ogoni families and surrounding communities in Tai LGA. Over 32 years since the devastating military invasion and destruction of their communities in 1994, thousands remain in a painful state of internal exile in their own land. Homes, farmlands, and ancestral grounds lie in ruins or under threat, with families scattered, denied basic amenities, and still waiting for justice, reconstruction, and return with dignity. The wounds of the past have not healed, yet new threats of oil-related activities loom without addressing these historical injustices.

We demand immediate and decisive action from the Federal Government and NIOC/NNPC:

1. Halt all moves toward oil resumption in OML 11 and affected Ogoni areas until comprehensive, transparent, and community-validated remediation is completed, in line with international standards and the spirit of the Ogoni Bill of Rights.
2. Institute urgent cleanup and environmental restoration of Kpean and other polluted sites, with independent monitoring involving credible civil society and community representatives.
3. Provide immediate relief, compensation, and potable water to affected families in Kpean and across impacted communities for destroyed livelihoods, health impacts, and ongoing suffering.
4. Address the Lekuma displacement crisis through concrete steps toward reconstruction, compensation, and safe return of the displaced families after more than two decades of exile.
5. Declare a genuine state of environmental emergency in Ogoniland and commit resources to holistic restoration that prioritizes people over production.

The Easter message is clear: suffering does not have the final word. New life and justice can rise from devastation. The Ogoni people have waited long enough. Half-measures and delays are no longer acceptable. CESJERP stands ready to engage constructively but will continue to amplify the voices of the voiceless and hold duty-bearers accountable until these demands are met.

Signed:

Comrade Wisdom Kagbara
Director
Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP)

07/03/2026

PRESS RELEASE

Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP)

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
March 7, 2026

Theme: Non-Inclusive HYPREP Cleanup, Unfunded FUET, and Neglect of Primary Education – Eroding Federal Confidence-Building Measures in Ogoniland

Good morning, members of the press, Ogoni leaders, and stakeholders.

CESJERP condemns the ongoing failures in the Federal Government's confidence-building efforts in Ogoniland, which continue to deepen distrust and injustice.

1. Non-Inclusive HYPREP Cleanup
HYPREP excludes numerous Ogoni communities hosting legacy Shell facilities (wellheads, pipelines, flow stations). These areas face persistent pollution risks from undecommissioned infrastructure, yet remain outside active remediation phases, leading to selective progress, re-contamination, and marginalization.

2. Non-Funding of Federal University of Environmental Technology (FUET)
FUET, established in Saakpenwa, Tai LGA (February 2025), remains unfunded despite presidential directives. No take-off grants, renovations, or operational support have been provided, stalling progress while other federal universities receive funding. This breach fuels Ogoni youth frustration and threats of protest.

3. Neglect of Primary Education – The Bedrock of Development
Most Ogoni communities lack functional primary schools: dilapidated buildings, teacher shortages, and out-of-school children prevail. This foundational crisis undermines health, skills, and long-term empowerment, rendering higher-education promises hollow, further compounding social inequities.

4. Compounding these contemporary challenges is the unresolved historical injustice against Ogoni heroes: the ex*****on by hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight other Ogoni leaders (the Ogoni Nine) on November 10, 1995, following a flawed military tribunal trial widely regarded as a kangaroo court designed to silence environmental and human rights advocacy.
While a posthumous pardon was issued in June 2025 by President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by national honors. CESJERP aligns with Ogoni activists, Amnesty International, and other stakeholders in asserting that a pardon falls far short of justice. It perpetuates the implication of guilt for men who committed no crime.

These failures; selective cleanup, stalled FUET, and abandoned primary education, severely erode confidence in Federal Government confidence-building measures.

CESJERP Demands:

1. Expand HYPREP immediately to include all Ogoni communities with legacy Shell facilities, through transparent, community-led mapping and remediation.

2. Release full funding and take-off support for FUET without further delay, as directed by the President.

3. Prioritize urgent investment in primary education infrastructure, teachers, and materials across Ogoniland.

4. Conduct independent audits of HYPREP and related initiatives, ensuring genuine Ogoni inclusion and accountability.

5. Full exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine: a formal declaration of their innocence, complete clearance of their names, and official recognition of the trial as a grave miscarriage of justice. This step is essential to heal lingering wounds, rebuild federal credibility, and align with true confidence-building in post-oil devastation Ogoniland.

No clean-up, no funding, no education, no trust. We demand swift action. CESJERP stands with the Ogoni people.

Thank you.

Wisdom Kagbara
Director
Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CESJERP)
Port Harcourt, Rivers State

06/03/2026

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

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

26/02/2026

https://punchng.com/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.

24/02/2026

Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protection (CESJERP)
Daily Briefing
Date: February 24, 2026

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Urgent: Worsening Injustice in the Niger Delta Demands Immediate Action

The Niger Delta continues to suffer severe environmental devastation, health crises, and economic marginalization despite generating Nigeria’s oil wealth. Host communities face polluted water, degraded lands, gas flaring surges post-divestment, and neglect of basic infrastructure.

Key Concerns Today:
Sharp rise in gas flaring in Oyigbo, Akwa Ibom, and other areas, causing toxic pollution and health risks.
Slow progress on ecological remediation, shoreline protection, and pollution cleanups despite government pledges.
Growing corporate-community tensions over welfare neglect and unfair benefit-sharing.
Persistent poverty, unemployment, and insecurity amid unaddressed root grievances.

CESJERP Demands:
Accelerated cleanups and compensation for affected sites.
Strict enforcement of gas flaring bans with penalties.
Direct, transparent allocation of 13% derivation funds to host communities.
Inclusive community role in energy transition decisions.

The people of the Niger Delta power the nation yet bear its heaviest burdens. Justice demands urgent, concrete action now.

Wisdom Kagbara
Director
CESJERP

Contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +234 806 758 2490
X (Twitter):
Address: No 4 Odoni Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
For inquiries or to report incidents, please contact us.

21/02/2026

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.

20/02/2026

Solidarity Speech: World Day of Social Justice; Standing with Lekuma Ogoni Commuities(Ogoni Special Area)
20th February, 2026

Distinguished guests, community leaders, partners from the Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation, Eco Safe Initiative, Bugdit, fellow advocates, residents of Lekuma Ogoni Communities Special Area, and all who stand for justice,

Today, on this World Day of Social Justice, the Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CERSJEP) stands in deep solidarity with the resilient people of Lekuma Ogoni Communities Special Area in Ogoni, Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State.

For over two decades—more than 20 long years—the people of Lekuma Ogoni Communities and surrounding Ogoni communities have endured what can only be described as exile in their own land. Forced from ancestral homes by a painful history of environmental devastation from oil activities, military repression, community conflicts, boundary disputes, and the lingering scars of pollution that destroyed farmlands, mangroves, rivers, and livelihoods, entire families became displaced. Homes turned to ruins, communities scattered as refugees within Nigeria and beyond some seeking safety in neighboring countries. This was not mere relocation; it was a profound exile from identity, culture, and belonging, robbing generations of security, dignity, and hope.

Yet today, we celebrate a powerful moment of return. The people of Lekuma Ogoni Communities have come home. This return is a testament to unbreakable resilience, unyielding spirit, and the enduring demand for justice that echoes the legacy of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni struggle. You have reclaimed your space, not just physically, but symbolically, affirming that no marginalization, no pollution, no repression can forever silence or erase a people rooted in their soil.

But return alone is not enough. True social justice demands more than symbolic homecoming. It requires urgent, concrete action to heal the wounds of the past and build a future of inclusion.

We call for immediate relief; humanitarian support to address basic needs: clean water, safe shelter, healthcare, and food security in a land still scarred by oil spills and environmental neglect.

We demand empowerment through education, skills training, and community led initiatives that restore dignity to the people, especially women, youth, and the elderly who bore the heaviest burdens of displacement.

We advocate for economic inclusion; access to sustainable livelihoods, fair compensation for historical losses, opportunities in green restoration (like mangrove replanting), alternative energy, agriculture revival, and equitable participation in any resource decisions affecting Ogoni land. No more extraction without restitution; no development that leaves communities behind.

And crucially, we must prioritize psychosocial needs. The trauma of forced exile, loss of loved ones, destroyed homes, and decades of uncertainty has left deep emotional and mental scars. Counseling, community healing programs, trauma support, and cultural reconnection initiatives are essential to mend broken spirits and rebuild social bonds. No one should carry this pain alone.

On this World Day of Social Justice, under the theme of Renewed Commitment to Social Development; Empowering Ogoni Inclusion and Social Justice, CERSJEP recommits to partnering with Lekuma Ogoni Communities and all marginalized Ogoni communities. We stand with you in demanding accountability from government, oil companies, and all stakeholders. We call on authorities to halt any resumption of activities without full environmental cleanup, genuine dialogue, and community consent. Justice delayed is justice denied—but justice delivered transforms lives.

To the people of Lekuma Ogoni Communities: Your survival is our inspiration. Your return is our shared victory. Your future must be one of equity, healing, and prosperity.

Together, let us bridge every gap—environmental, economic, social, and emotional. Let inclusion be not a slogan, but a lived reality.

Solidarity forever!
Justice for Lekuma Ogoni Communities!
Justice for Ogoni!
Justice for all marginalized voices!

Thank you, and may this day renew our collective resolve.

Wisdom Kagbara
Director
Centre for Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections (CERSJEP)

20/02/2026

Public Invitation!
Join us for an impactful Advocacy Outreach in the LEKUMA OGONI AREA COMMUNITIES (Ogoni Special Area) as we commemorate World Environment Day!

Date: Friday February 20, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Venue: LEKUMA OGONI AREA COMMUNITIES

Theme: Renewed Commitment to Social Justice; Empowering Ogoni Inclusion and Environmental Rights.

This is a call to stand together for justice, a cleaner environment, and the rightful inclusion of the Ogoni people in decisions affecting their land, livelihoods, and future.

Come share your voice, learn, connect, and take action for environmental justice in Ogoniland!
All are welcome, community members, youth, advocates, and supporters.
See you there!

Wisdom Kagbara
Director
Centre For Social Justice and Environmental Rights Protections

19/02/2026

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)