Friends Mourn Late Environmentalist

It was a moment of reflection as friends and well-wishers converged last Thursday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital during the one-year remembrance of the late environmental rights activist, Patrick Naagbanton.
The late Naagbanton, who hailed from Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area, was the founder of the Centre For Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD).
He was also a board member of Kiss Trust Foundation, a foundation that works to improve the Ogoni environment.
Chairperson of CEHRD Trustees, Lady Constance Meju, said the death of the Ogoni-born environmental rights activist shattered a lot of things.
“A year ago, an Iroko tree fell, his death shattered a lot of things, but he set a legacy which will be sustained”, she said.
She also described the memorial anniversary as a reflection of what the deceased stood for, adding that Naagbanton stood for justice and good governance.
Also speaking, former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, said Patrick meant so many things to many people.
“He was energetic and never tired of any issues that concerned Ogoniland’s environment and minority rights.
He said the occasion should be used to reflect on what he stood for.
For Nnimmo Bassey, the sudden death of Mr Naagbanton shows the low life expectancy in the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
He decried the poor quality of Air Index especially in the Niger Delta, stressing that the activities of “Kpofire,” generator fumes and automobile are helping to reduce the average lifespan of the people of the Niger Delta.
The environmentalist charged the people to continue to fight against environmental degradation.