Olu of Warri, N’Delta leaders condemn foreign exploitation of mangroves

The Olú of Warri, His Majesty Ògíamẹ̀ Atúwàtse III, has condemned the exploitation of the Niger Delta’s mangroves by foreign interests, describing it as “a new form of colonialism.”

This was disclosed at an art exhibition tagged: ‘The Intersecting Worlds of Climate Change, the Mangroves and Art,’ an exhibition of paintings, drawings and watercolours by Dr. John Ed Debebs and curated by Oriiz Onuwaje, held in Lagos.

He warned that foreign entities are seeking to profit from the region’s natural resources without regard for the people or the environment, stating that the exploitation of the mangroves could have devastating consequences for the environment and the people who depend on them.

“This is a new form of colonialism. We will not allow our lands to be taken away from us by external forces. We will not stand idly by while our heritage is exploited for the benefit of others,” the Olú of Warri said.

He called for urgent action to protect the region’s natural resources and to ensure that any economic benefits derived from them serve the local communities first, while also emphasising the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the region’s resources.

He said: “For centuries, the people of the Niger Delta have lived with and through the mangroves. These lands, stretching from the Bight of Bonny to the Bight of Benin, are more than just ecosystems; they are the lungs of our heritage.”

“They sustain our way of life, protect our shores, and preserve our identity. And yet, while we have looked upon them for generations, others from afar have begun to look at them differently — through satellite images, through the lenses of economic speculation, and with intentions that threaten the collective sovereignty of the people of the Niger Delta.

“The world now acknowledges what we have always known: the mangroves are among the most efficient carbon sinks on earth. Unlike the carbon-heavy cities that pollute our atmosphere, these forests absorb and store carbon at an astonishing rate, offering a natural solution to the climate crisis.

“Yet, while the world praises their value, some seek to slice our lands into invisible pieces, selling off carbon credits that rightfully belong to the communities that have nurtured and protected these ecosystems for generations. This echoes the partitioning of Africa in the 18th century — an era we cannot afford to relive.

“Today, we take a stand. Let this moment mark the first clarion call from our traditional institutions. We, the Itsekiri people and people of the Niger Delta, will not stand idly by while our mangroves are bartered away under the guise of offsetting carbon credits by foreign interests.

“We will not allow our heritage to be exploited by those who neither understand its significance nor bear the cost of its destruction. It is time for us, the rightful custodians, to assume responsibility — to protect, conserve, and harness our mangroves for our people and for posterity.”

Also speaking Onuwaje stated that if the Mangroves were threatened, protected and harnessed properly, it would provide a better life economically and protect the land.

The Artist, Debebs, stressed the need to protect trees and extract carbon from the atmosphere to ensure the survival of humanity.