Odigha Odigha

Last updated
Odigha Odigha
Born
Odigha

Cross River state
Nationality Nigerian
Education University of Lagos, University of Calabar.
Occupations
Known forGrassroots environmental activism
Awards Goldman Environmental Prize (2003)

Odigha Odigha is a Nigerian educator, environmentalist and activist. [1] [2] He is the founder of Nigeria NGO Coalition for the Environment. [3] He was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2003, for his efforts on protection of the rainforests of Cross River State from industrial logging. [4] [5] According to Grist News, he said, "If you fight and run away, you'll live to fight another day. If you die in this struggle, your struggle may not continue." Odigha's focus was on the protection of the Cross River rainforest and on sustainable development for rainforest communities which began since 1994. [3]

Contents

As an activist, Odigha pursued a political experience that served him well. He was also part of the Ijagham community of Cross River State. [3] Together with the governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, Odigha managed to set up the first ever forestry commission in Nigeria and obtain a first logging moratorium in 2000. [6]

Early life

Odigha attended St. Peter's Primary School, Ekpokpa, Ikom Local Government Area, between 1968 and 1970 and later St. Mary's Primary School, Agbaragba, in the same Local Government Area in 1971. After his primary education, he proceeded to St. Brendan's Secondary School, Iyamoyong, in Obubra Local Government Area, Cross River State, from 1972 to 1976.

Education

He also proceeded to University of Calabar, Cross River State, between 1976 and 1980, where he obtained a B.Sc. degree in mathematics/statistics in 1980.

He enrolled for an MBA degree at the University of Lagos in 1983. [1]

Odigha is a graduate of the University of Calabar with a bachelor's degree in mathematics/statistics. He also enrolled for an MBA degree at the University of Lagos. [2] [1]

Political life

He started his political life as the;

Award and recognition

2003: Goldman Environmental Prize [10]

Arrest

In 2016 Odigha was reportedly arrested on the orders of Ben Ayade, the executive governor of Cross River State. Odigha was held at the police headquarters in Diamond Hill, Calabar, following an audit of the Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC), where he had been chairman. Odigha's lawyer disclosed that Odigha was accused of embezzling over ₦100 million, and was said to be unable to account for money paid to him and officials for travel expenses. [11]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Nigerian activist Odigha Odigha fights to halt illegal logging". Grist. 2003-04-15. Retrieved 2022-02-27.
  2. 1 2 "BBC World Service - Outlook, 13/10/2011". BBC. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  3. 1 2 3 "Odigha Odhiga - SourceWatch". www.sourcewatch.org. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  4. ↑ "Africa 2003. Odigha Odigha. Nigeria, Forests". Goldman Environmental Prize . Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "BBC: Interview with Nigerian forest activist, Odigha Odigha". Rights + Resources. Retrieved 2022-02-27.
  6. ↑ "Odigha Odigha: Speaking Truth to Power". Ecosystem Marketplace. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  7. ↑ Negroidhaven. "Meet Odigha Odigha, Campaigner to protect Nigeria's Last Tropical High Forest | Negroid Haven" . Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  8. ↑ Negroidhaven. "Meet Odigha Odigha, Campaigner to protect Nigeria's Last Tropical High Forest | Negroid Haven" . Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  9. ↑ Negroidhaven. "Meet Odigha Odigha, Campaigner to protect Nigeria's Last Tropical High Forest | Negroid Haven" . Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  10. ↑ "ENVIRONMENT REPORT - Goldman Environmental Prize - 2003-05-08". VOA. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  11. ↑ admin (2016-07-21). "Forest crusader, Odigha Odigha, arrested, detained". EnviroNews Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
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