Victor Ezeja
Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) celebrates the African winner
of the Goldman Environmental Prize 2022, Chima Williams.
The Goldman Environmental Prize is an award that honors the achievements and
leadership of grassroots environmental activists from around the world.
The Prize recognizes individuals for their sustained significant efforts
in protecting the environment. The award given to recognized individual
leaders from different continents seeks to inspire other ordinary people
to take extraordinary actions to protect the natural world.
Chima Williams, the Executive Director of Environmental Right Actions (ERA), is the third Nigerian to receive the award after Ken Saro-Wiwa received it in 1995 and Odigha Odigha in 2003. This award is in recognition of his involvement in legal fight for environmental justice.
It would be recalled that Chima Williams is the lawyer who worked with the four fishers from the three communities to hold Royal Dutch Shell accountable for the oil spills and environmental damage on Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo communities. He was also on the legal team that litigated the action over gas flaring in Iwherekan community in the case
of Jonah Gbemre versus Shell in 2005.
Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey
expressed great excitement over the award given to Chima Williams.
He said, “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.”
Bassey also stated that more advocates should rise up to the task of
raising new generations of environmental activists to secure a safe
future for Nigerians and Africans at large considering the growing
destructive activities going on in our countries.
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.
The prize has been awarded to
deserving individuals and groups since it began in 1989.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
