His Majesty, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has stressed the importance of protecting the vital ecosystems of the Niger Delta mangroves, just as he kicked against its economic exploitation.
Ogiame, who stated this when he inaugurated ‘The Mangrove Exhibition’, an art exhibition, which took place at the Wings Office Complex on Victoria Island, Lagos, also noted that its numerous benefits to both the environment and human societies cannot be over-emphasised.
The event, curated by Oriiz Onuwaje of Crimson Fusion Curators, brought together art, culture, and environmental advocacy to highlight the critical role of mangroves in the Niger Delta and the urgent need to protect them.
The Warri monarch, in his speech at the opening of the event titled ‘The Intersecting Worlds of Climate Change, the Mangroves and Art’, emphasised the cultural and ecological significance of the mangroves, calling them “the lungs of our heritage.”
He stated, “We gather not only to appreciate the beauty of artistic expression but to confront an issue that is as immediate as it is historical, the fate of the Niger Delta mangroves.
“They sustain our way of life, protect our shores, and preserve our identity. And yet, while we have looked upon them for generations, others from afar have begun to look at them differently through satellite images, through the lenses of economic speculation, and with intentions that threaten the collective sovereignty of the people of the Niger Delta.
“For centuries, the people of the Niger Delta have lived with and through the mangroves. These lands are more than just ecosystems; they sustain our way of life, protect our shores, and preserve our identity.”
His Majesty underscored the dual threat of climate change and economic exploitation, warning against the commodification of carbon credits by foreign interests.
“We will not allow our heritage to be exploited by those who neither understand its significance nor bear the cost of its destruction,” he declared.
The exhibition, which featured evocative paintings by Dr. John Ed Debes, serves as both a celebration of the mangroves’ beauty and a call to action.
The Olu of Warri praised the artworks as “a force for change,” saying, “Dr. Debes has masterfully captured the soul of our mangroves, translating their silent cries onto canvas. Let these works serve as both inspiration and warning.”
The event also highlighted the role of art in driving environmental awareness. Oriiz Onuwaje, the curator, was commended for creating a platform that merges art with advocacy.
“Through his meticulous curation, a platform has been created, urging us all to see the mangroves not just as landscapes but as lifelines,” His Majesty noted.
His Royal Majesty called for unity among Niger Delta leaders and communities to protect the mangroves from unchecked exploitation. “Let us establish a framework to protect our mangroves and ensure that any economic benefits derived from them serve our communities first,” he urged.
His speech resonated as a rallying cry for environmental justice and cultural preservation.
The Mangrove Exhibition will run until March 18, 2025, offering visitors a chance to engage with the intersection of art, climate change, and the vital ecosystems of the Niger Delta. The Olu of Warri concluded, “May this exhibition ignite a movement. May it awaken the consciousness of our people. And may it be said in history that here, today, the defence of our mangroves began.”
The event was supported by the National Gallery of Art, the National Council of Climate Change Secretariat, Atlantic Marine, Oando Clean Energy, NCF, and Crimson Fusion, among others.
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