VIEWERS watched with great awe, the appalling condition of the oil rich Niger Delta region, the effect of the havoc unleashed on North East by Boko Haram, and the devastating effects of erosion on the South East, all in Nigeria. It was a clear evidence of a country blindly existing on impending doom. “No Where To Run: Nigeria’s Environmental Crisis”, is the title of a documentary film which exposes humanly inflicted disasters on some areas in the country, leaving the people in perpetual fear of the unexpected.

The film is an expose of the appalling state of areas such as Niger Delta, Anambra and Borno States, etc, brought about by destructive tendencies of man. With Ken Saro Wiwa Jr., son of the murdered environmental activist as narrator, ‘No Where to Run’ was screened for the very first time during the 3rd edition of Ake Arts and Book Festival held at the Centre for Arts and Culture, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The docu-flim premierred as part of Environment Awareness Day organised for secondary schools in Ogun State.

Themed, ‘Our Environment, Our World’, the event sponsored by cement company, Lafarge, also, held in honour of late Writer and Environmental Activist, Ken Saro Wiwa who was executed by the Late Military ruler, Sani Abacha. The documentary was also screened to sensitise Nigerians on the need to protect the environment to avoid possible annihilation.

‘No Where To Run’ which was the main focus of the event, exposes how badly Niger Delta has been destroyed through oil spillages. Left with no water, no farmlands, no rivers for fishing, Niger Deltans as shown in the film, also stand the risk of being ravaged by leukemia and other forms of cancers due to gas flaring. Another issue that calls for urgent attention is the destruction of the mangroves which is aiding the effects of rise in sea level which according to experts, if not checked, will end up washing out some communities.

South East at the moment, is facing a serious crisis due to erosion. Nanka, a community in Anambra State, was seen as having the worst effects of erosion. Most of the affected communities have been eaten up leaving the inhabitants with no where to run. Speakers in the film including the host, said the situation is made worse because ,”A lot of people are busy making money not minding the impact on the environment.”

They further blamed desertification and deforestation in Borno State, leading to an exodus of indigenes to Maiduguri, as birthing Boko Haram. The film beautifully ends with a proverbial statement, ‘He who burns down his father’s house inherits ashes’.

Protecting the environment

As a way forward, the wife of the state governor and an environmentalist, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, advised that it should be inculcated in the young ones, the importance of protecting the environment. She advised the students to embrace the ‘Green Empathy’ philosophy of the three ‘Rs’; reusing, reducing and recycling materials for a safer environment.

Amosun also preached the philosophy of her pet project ‘Gefty Gospel of Green Education’ to them and gave each child a copy of her book ‘Green Education for the Youth: Empowering our Youth to Save the earth’

At the end of the screening, an art and craft competition was held. The students were engaged in craft using waste materials usually found in homes. The competition tested their understanding of the theme, the docu-film, level of creativity and readiness to contribute towards, aforestation, recycling and reusing. Their level of ingenuity was overwhelming and at the end of the competition, Gateway Secondary School took the day. They were presented with books, gifts, cash for schools that participated as well as for establishment of school libraries.

Interestingly, after ‘No Where To Run’ another documentary; ‘Heroes of Nigeria’s Environmental Struggles’, was screened. Wife of Ogun State Governor, Funso Amosun, Nnimmo Bassey, Funto Borrofice, Newton Jibunoh and Ken Saro Wiwa, were all unveiled as Nigeria’s heroes. Their works as outlined, so far are signs that there is hope for a safer earth.

Source: Vanguard