The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has launched a global campaign to halt oil extraction and promote conservation and ecosystem restoration in Ogoni, Nigeria, and Yasuni, Ecuador.
The initiative was announced on Saturday in a statement by HOMEF’s Media and Communications Lead, Miss Kome Odhomor. The campaigns, named Ogonize and Yasunize, are designed as pioneering tools for environmental justice and resilience.
HOMEF, an ecology-focused think tank, said it envisions a world where corporations are held accountable for environmental damage and communities thrive through sustainable management of natural resources.
“That is the vision behind two inspiring movements gaining momentum worldwide: Ogonize and Yasunize,” the statement said.
The campaigns draw inspiration from decades-long environmental struggles. The Ogoni people in Nigeria successfully halted oil extraction in their territory in 1993, despite years of environmental devastation. Similarly, the people of Ecuador voted overwhelmingly against crude oil extraction at Yasuni ITT, one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions, in a national referendum in August 2023.
HOMEF explained that the campaigns aim to advance environmental justice, protect biodiversity, and strengthen resilience in the face of climate change. The movements are powered by local communities, activists, and global allies demanding that governments and corporations clean up environmental damage and assist affected communities.
Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEF Executive Director, said:
“Ogonize is more than a campaign; it is a fight for what is right. We want to ensure that communities impacted by environmental disasters are heard, that their land is restored, and that future generations inherit a healthy planet.
Yasunize is about rethinking our relationship with nature. Some places are too valuable to exploit, and we must prioritize the health of our planet over short-term profits.”
Bassey added that both campaigns emphasize that environmental justice and sustainability must be realities, not just ideals.
“These campaigns challenge the status quo, insisting that environmental protection and social fairness go hand-in-hand. They remind us that real change comes from community-led solutions and global cooperation.”
HOMEF stated that the advocacy focuses on holding those responsible for environmental damage accountable, while protecting biodiversity hotspots and indigenous territories. The campaigns also support ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods for affected communities, and the adoption of renewable energy solutions.
“As the world faces an urgent climate crisis, the Ogonize and Yasunize campaigns offer a pathway forward. We invite governments, organisations, and individuals to join the movement, stand with affected communities, and advocate for policies that prioritize justice and halt ecocide,” the statement concluded.
