I’ll Continue To Push Until Niger Delta’s Free From Pollution – DonPedro

Ibiba DonPedro, an Environmental Journalist and Managing Director of Foreword Communications Limited, has declared that she won’t relent until the work of rescuing the Niger Delta Environment from unnecessary Pollution is achieved.
DonPedro, who is also the publisher of National Point newspaper, reacting to an award of “Defender of the Environment” given to her by Environment Outreach Magazine, maintained that the award was an honor although unexpected adding, “I really appreciate it.
She stated that the Award was just a reminder of the lifelong work people like her had to do, disclosing that people who are committed, know that help will not come from anywhere than from among them.
DonPedro, a one-time CNN African Journalist of the Year Award winner, Reuters-IUCN Media Award winner among others, vowed to keep on pushing through advocacy and enlightenment until the Niger Delta environment is free from pollution.
“I’m really grateful to the Publisher of Environment Outreach Magazine for the honor done to me at this point. My focus has been how to be part of change in my home. We will keep on pushing until we see, feel and smell practical change in the way we organize ourselves and in the way we protect the environment.
“The bulk of the work I have done on the Environment are mostly outside the Kalabari territory, so my focus since I returned to Rivers State in 2020, is just to come home and work, and I wasn’t expecting an award because I always feel that I have been honored in my thirty years of work in the media.
“When things like this happen, I’m really reminded that my work is not yet done. We have to keep pushing this advocacy and make people aware that there is nobody coming from the sky to make this change happen.
“The environment is about us and for me, this is just a reminder of the work I still have to do. Our environment is polluted. Our women are poor.
“Thankfully through the efforts of Tantitta Security outfit, there has been massive decrease in Kpofire and spilling of crude oil all over our environment but the threats are not over because there is an going Oil Spill in the Elem-Kalabari axis of Rivers State. That is work for people like me,” she explained.
Recall that the award presentation was done at the weekend during a special ceremony held at the Lekki Conservation Centre of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in Lagos.
With the award, Don Pedro has now been inducted into the First Nigerian Environmental Hall of Fame, a platform that celebrates individuals and institutions making outstanding contributions to environmental protection and sustainability in Nigeria and beyond.
Publisher of Environment Outreach Magazine, Mr. Noble Akenge, said Ibiba Don Pedro was recognized for her “stewardship, strong commitment, consistency, advocacy, and relentless defence of the environment from abuse and degradation by oil majors and polluters.”
Akenge added, “Your nomination is a testimony to your hard work, dedication, and the impact you have made in Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria in promoting environmental and climate justice and sustainable development.
“As a publisher, environmentalist, gender and human rights activist, you have inspired many through your leadership and service to humanity.
“You have used every available platform to advocate for the betterment of women, children, and the oppressed, and to defend our natural heritage, especially in the Niger Delta, where oil and gas activities have long threatened the wellbeing of local communities.”
He noted that Don Pedro was also honoured for her work in promoting awareness on African environmental issues and peace-building initiatives.