Ogoniland Wetlands Achieve Ramsar International Status

The Ogoniland wetlands have received international recognition as a Wetland of International Importance with the formal presentation of a Ramsar Certificate by Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Minister of Environment. The event took place during the 10th anniversary of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) at the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration in Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State.

Chief Lesi Maol, President of the Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme (KAGOTE), received the certificate and subsequently handed it to the chairmen of the four Ogoni local government areas. The Ramsar designation is expected to enhance conservation efforts and provide international recognition of Ogoniland’s ecological significance, particularly after decades of environmental degradation due to oil exploration.

Lawal noted that this is the 18th Ramsar certificate issued in Nigeria and the first to cover four local government areas within one contiguous area, highlighting the importance of Ogoniland’s wetlands and coastline.