“I see the prize as a recognition of the collective struggles that we have been engaged in fighting with community peoples in Nigeria and in other countries for environmental and human rights. And I think the prize also indicates that the struggles of the people must be supported. Transnational companies and other destructive agencies can’t now be allowed to carry on without being called to account”, said Nnimmo.

Nnimmo Bassey receives the Award for “revealing the full ecological and human horrors of oil production and for his inspired work to strengthen the environmental movement in Nigeria and globally”.

The other winners are: Brazilian Bishop Erwin Krautler (71), for a lifetime of work on human and environmental rights of indigenous peoples and for his efforts to save the Amazon forest from destruction; Israeli organization Physicians For Human Rights which was awarded for their work on the right to health for all people in Israel and Palestine; Shrikrishna Upadhyay and his organization Sappros in Nepal, for showing the power of mobilization against the multiple causes of poverty, including political violence and instability.

The awards will be delivered on December 6th in Stockholm, Sweden, by the Right Livelihood Award Foundation, a politically independent platform sustained by individual donations from different countries, according to its website.

According to its bylaws, the purpose of the foundation is to contribute to a “global economic balance”, “eliminating material and spiritual poverty” and “contribute to lasting peace and justice in the world”. The Award was established in 1980 to “honor and support those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today”. It is awarded every year at the Swedish Parliament.

In an interview with Real World Radio, the Chair of Friends of the Earth International said that this award takes into account the work of numerous social movements around the world. “This is a clear recognition that movements are very important in the finding of true solutions to the challenges facing the world and the environment today”, he said. “It gives me a sense that we must intensify our building of movements, we must intensify our leadership with our strategic allies and we must know that the fight cannot be fought alone. When we are together we are stronger”, he added.

The Nigerian environmentalist talked about the importance of this award in his country and made reference to the national struggles. “This award has a very big implication for Nigeria. Because, for one, the award highlights the human right abuses and the destruction being committed by transnational oil corporations, such as Shell in Nigeria. So this is good to call the attention of the world”, he added.

Finally, the Chair of Friends of the Earth said that the award means a greater responsibility for him and his future work. But I share it with all my comrades, he said jokingly. And added: “I believe that with our collective energies, no matter the challenges, we shall overcome all obstacles”.

Photo: Friends of the Earth International