I would always wonder and ask why things are the way they are, and if there can be true change, inspired by the people, by people’s desire for true change, world issues evolve around diverse issues and one cannot be isolated from the other, I will look at Environmental degradation and how it has affected Nigeria. Environmental degradation refers to deteriorating God-given resources like the atmosphere, water, soil, and forests.
Environmental degradation has led to increase in poverty rate in Nigeria because people whose livelihood is directly related to degraded natural resources will suffer, the average Nigerian lives on less than a dollar a day, for instance a fisherman in the riverside of Nigeria will have his livelihood cut off if there is any form of oil spills, even farm produce will be affected by such an occurrence affecting food supply, water supply, Lack of clean water etc. These Leads to all sorts of diseases like malaria, cholera, malnutrition.
A fisherman father in the riverside that cannot afford to provide basic livelihood for his family might end up daughters will have to sell their bodies to expatriate for survival and sons that will take to kidnapping thus leading to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases and crime rate.
The question that should be asked is when oil spills occur, is there any measures taken by the Nigerian government to cushion its effects? Are there measure taken to make sure these things do not repeat it? Is there a form of responsibility taken by those responsible for such acts?
We have leaders that won’t ask the right questions and the concept of due process and accountability is alien them, then achieving the desired change will be difficult. All this brings me to the Arab Spring which is a testimony to the fact that people can desire change and achieve change with a united purpose and determination. Let’s join our voice together and speak against environmental degradation in Nigeria. Let your voice be heard today! Let your voice be known for Environmental Sustainability!
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