By Ephraim Oseji

Former Delta State gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has reiterated that the destruction of the Niger Delta’s forests is no longer accidental, rather  it is deliberate, systematic, and shamefully tolerated deliberate assault on Nigerian future.

He lamented that mangrove forests that once protected communities, sustained fisheries, and shielded the coastline are being wiped out daily by illegal oil activities, uncontrolled logging, and the failure of authorities to enforce the law just as he ascribed  what is happening in the Niger Delta to an environmental tragedy with national consequences.

Onuesoke, the CEO of Onuesoke Foundation, who made the statement on the sideline during climate change conference in Lagos noted  that the forests are the natural defence of the Niger Delta by  protecting  communities from flooding, erosion, and rising sea levels.

“They support fishing livelihoods and preserve biodiversity found nowhere else in Nigeria. Yet, in the name of profit and neglect, these priceless ecosystems are being sacrificed, leaving communities exposed, poorer, and more vulnerable. Oil pollution, gas flaring, and crude refining have turned vast forest areas into dead zones.

“While government agencies trade blame and issue press statements, local people bear the cost — polluted waters, destroyed farmlands, and disappearing means of survival. A region that produces the wealth of the nation should not be condemned to environmental ruin. What makes this destruction more painful is the hypocrisy of leadership,” he stated.

He lamented that Nigeria speaks loudly about climate change on international platforms, yet allows the Niger Delta’s mangroves to be destroyed at home,  environmental laws exist, but enforcement is selective and weak, stressing that  those responsible for forest destruction often operate with impunity, protected by influence and corruption.

“The Niger Delta forests are not expendable. They are a national asset and a trust for future generations. To destroy them is to undermine the region’s stability and Nigeria’s environmental security. Silence is no longer an option. The time has come for decisive action, strict enforcement of environmental laws, and genuine commitment to protecting what remains.

History will not forgive those who watched the Niger Delta bleed while doing nothing. The question before us is clear: will we protect the future of the Niger Delta, or continue to destroy it for short-term gain?” Onuesoke queried.