Eulogies for Oronto, Iyayi, Ihonde as EDEN unveils book on environment – EnviroNews

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It was an emotional moment on Friday, August 28, 2026, for families of the late Oronto Douglas, Professor Festus Iyayi, and Comrade Jonathan Ihonde at the launch of State of the Nigerian Environment Report by the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) in Benin City, Edo State, with the conferment of post humous award of Heroes of the Environment on the trio.

The event, which had civil society, development experts and the media in attendance, was the first time that the families of the trio would be brought together under one roof in recognition of the accorded heroic works of the fallen heroes.

The State of the Nigeria Environment Report catalogues the environmental conditions of local communities across Nigeria through the field work of EDEN and the lens of its allies as well as community leaders and makes critical recommendations to the Nigerian government on how to address the issues.

It is dedicated to the late Oronto Nantei Douglas, who was a leading environmental human rights lawyer and special adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan; late Professor Festus Iyayi – a lecturer at the Department of Business Administration, University of Benina and former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); and the late Comrade Jonathan Ihonde, one of the most influential activists in Nigeria.

The EDEN report documents environmental conditions in local communities across Nigeria, drawing its conclusions on fieldwork of its team as well as information gathered through its network of community leaders and other partners.

The report contains recommendations for the Nigerian government on measures to address environmental problems identified in the communities.

The event, moderated by EDEN Board Member, Philip Jakpor, was graced by dignitaries and environmental champions across Nigeria and the globe.

They included Dr. Vivien Njemanze, the former clerk of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Founder, Vivien Nonyelum Njemanze Foundation; Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, the former vice chancellor of the Lagos State University; Dr Huzi Mshelia, the NDC Country Facilitator for Nigeria; Dr. Priscilla Achakpa, Founder and Global President of Women Environment Programme (WEP); Faith Nwadishi, the executive director of Centre for Transparency Advocacy; and Iniruo Wills, Partner, Ntephe, Smith and Wills.

Others are Comr. Prof. Felix Oriakhi, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Chief Ewa Eleri, Executive Director, International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED); Prof. Idaevbor Bello, Department of English and Literature, UNIBEN; Dr. Umar Saleh Anka, the Director, Climate Change, Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change; Dr Izuoma Egeruoh-Adindu, Associate Research Professor of Law and HoD Public Law Dept, NIALS; Sunny Ofehe, Founder, Hope for Niger Delta Campaign; and Abayomi Francis, Executive Director of Peace and Development Project (PEDEP).

Dr Ekhator Eghosa of the University of Derby and Dr Pedi Obano, Associate Professor at University of Bradford were also in virtual attendance.