(peter kiladejo)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nthe campaign involved four major affected communities in ilaje which gave me the opportunity to sail through the coastal region to gather my facts and speak with community members. one thing that stuck out to me, was that \u00ccl\u00e0je communities know that their immediate problem is sea incursion but unfortunately, many adults in the area didn\u2019t really know that the root cause of the intruding sea water was climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
i spoke with youth leaders across the four severely affected communities in ilaje who all lampooned the current situation, laying the blame on chevron and the government responsible for oil drilling in their region. although they had more understanding of climate change than some of their elders, they were more concerned with the injustices occurring, especially surrounding the failure of the company to honor the agreement signed with ilaje regional development committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
a community leader weighs in<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201c50 years ago, everything in this community was good\u2026 (it had a) serene and peaceful environment until the oil companies came to start oil exploration. they started following their process with a disguise of making our communities better. little did we know that they came to bring our communities to doom.\u201d said baale of mese kingdom. baale is the community monarch of mese kingdom who has lived all his life in the community. he occupies the supreme office in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cthe fish in the water are reducing, likewise other water resources. the sea keeps encroaching (on) our abodes, destroying our properties. the oil companies are supposed to provide infrastructure, potable water, electricity but they have not done any of these. should i have the opportunity to stop their activities, i would sign the paper,\u201d baale said. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nmy efforts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
i have been in constant touch with \u00ccl\u00e0je youth organizations to access accurate data which will enhance more knowledge on the rate, time, and season at which the sea sweeps off the settlements in order to be familiar with tracking evolving details on this recurring environmental issue. mayokun iyaomolere, a fellow environmentalist who is a native of \u00ccl\u00e0je has been monitoring the collected data. the data provides updates on the current situation of \u00ccl\u00e0je region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
i have also been an active advocate of ilaje people. although i have grown more discouraged that my advocacy is being heard in the government, some actions have happened and they are beginning to act. some few months ago, the governor of ondo state in an interview sought the assistance of international organizations to join the state in finding solutions. i have also been taking every opportunity to teach the people of ilaje on climate education.<\/p>\n\n\n
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