COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 4TH MULTI-STAKEHOLDER CONFERENCE ON DEFORESTATION IN CROSS RIVER STATE ON THURSDAY, 23 JULY 2026 Theme: Forests, People, and Policy: Shifting Power and Strategies for Combating Deforestation The 4th Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Deforestation in Cross River State, convened by We the People and its partners, was held on Thursday, 23…

On 23 July 2026, We the People, in partnership with environmental and community organizations, convened the 4th Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Deforestation in Calabar, Cross River State, under the theme "Forest, People and Policy: Shifting Power and Strategies for Combating Deforestation." The conference brought together more than 150 participants, including public officials, communities, environmentalists, civil society organizations,…

On Friday, 3 July 2026, We the People inaugurated the 5th Cohort of its Rights Academy, a 13-week intensive youth training programme, at the Nnimmo Bassey Conference Hall in Calabar, Cross River State. The inauguration brought together 20 newly admitted students of the Academy, alongside members of the media and alumni of previous cohorts. The Rights…

On Thursday, 2nd July 2026, We the People convened community leaders, media, and civil society organizations from forest host communities across Cross River State for a capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening community leadership in forest protection and advancing the rights of forest-dependent communities. Cross River State, once celebrated for its vast tropical rainforests and rich biodiversity,…

From 22nd to 27th June 2026, National Geographic Society in partnership with We the People and supported by the Ford Foundation hosted the National Geographic Photo Camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The 5-day intensive program, themed “Oil Extraction in the Niger Delta”, brought 20 young participants from the region to learn photography, writing and visual…

Communities affected by decades of mining activities in Cross River State have renewed calls for accountability, environmental justice, and greater participation in decisions affecting their lands and livelihoods. On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, We the People convened a one-day community dialogue in Mbobui Community, Akamkpa Local Government Area, under the theme "Mining, Livelihoods, Environment and Community…

On April 30th, 2026, We the People convened a Community Resilience Dialogue on Anti-Deforestation in Ubambat Community, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The engagement brought together traditional leaders, women, youth, and other community members to deliberate on the growing threat of deforestation and the urgent need to strengthen local resilience against environmental degradation…

On Wednesday, 15th April 2026, We the People convened the first session of Eco-Hangout, a youth-centered engagement for young person aged 18-23 in Port Harcourt, designed to spark interest in environmental and climate issues among young people in the Niger Delta. The Eco-Hangout was created as a response to the growing disconnect between young people and…

On Thursday, 26 March 2026, We the People, in collaboration with Policy Alert and with support from the Natural Resource Governance Institute, convened a webinar titled “Flaring Lives: The Human Cost of Methane Emissions in the Niger Delta.” The event brought together over 90 participants, including civil society actors, policy experts, environmental advocates, and concerned citizens,…

On Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, We the People under the aegis of the #IncludeNaija project, conducted a high-level advocacy visit to the Cross River State Commissioner of Police. Historically, the relationship between Nigerian youth and law enforcement has been characterized by deep-seated distrust, systemic profiling, and mutual suspicion—factors that have frequently positioned the Police as an…

On Thursday, March 26th, 2026, We the People’s #IncludeNaija project, facilitated a Police-Youth Roundtable at the Rumuolumeni Town Hall, Port Harcourt, themed: “Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Police-Youth Synergy for Inclusive Security and Human Rights Protection.” Historically, the intersection of the Nigerian Police and the youth demographic has been tainted and bedevilled by systemic friction. This legacy…

In March 2026, We the People held a series of community-led dialogues and step-down training sessions in Okuni and Akaraba communities in Cross River State, as part of ongoing efforts to confront rising deforestation and strengthen grassroots resilience. These engagements were shaped by growing concerns within forest host communities about the alarming rate of forest loss…

On March 5, 2026, We the People, in partnership with the People’s Health Collective, held a community dialogue in Egi Community, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State to interrogate and investigate the health impacts of crude oil extraction. The dialogue aimed to broaden the scope of accountability for oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.…

On February 27, 2026, We the People carried out the second in a series of strategic meetings in Calabar aimed at developing a state Youth Policy. The workshop aimed at giving young leaders and stakeholders from Cross River State the framework to deliberate on the key issues confronting young people in the state, and articulate ideas…

On February 25, 2026, we convened a media briefing to present our report titled “Recommended Reviews of the Cross River State Forestry Law, 2010.” The report is the outcome of a six-month consultative process involving communities, civil society organizations, academics, legal experts, conservationists, and legislative stakeholders who examined gaps in the existing law and developed consensus-based…

On 5th December 2025, We the People convened a workshop in Calabar aimed at initiating the process of developing a youth policy blueprint for Cross River State. Like the rest of Nigeria, Cross River State is home to a very youthful population. Despite attempts by government to create opportunities for young people, much of the youth…

On Thursday, 20th November 2025, We the People conducted a one–day training workshop for forest community members in Calabar, Cross River State. Forests in Cross River State have long been a source of life, culture, and livelihood for indigenous communities. However, increasing deforestation driven by commercial agriculture, logging, and mining have threatened these forests and the…

As the 30th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change opens in the Brazilian city of Belem, it is critical for negotiators and indeed, the entire world to reflect on what 29 years of global conversation has achieved in the fight against climate change. The first Conference of Parties held in…

On the 31st of October, 2025, We the People held a youth rally at the Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa, Akwa-Ibom State. The rally aimed at mobilizing and educating young people on the need to participate in policy making processes in the country, as well as protect their democratic rights. This activity which is part…

The People’s Environmental Assembly brought together activists, communities, academics and traditional rulers from the states of the Niger Delta to evaluate the state of the Niger Delta 70 years after the start of hydrocarbon extraction. The Assembly also provided space to articulate the various challenges associated with ecological damage caused by oil and gas extraction as…

On October 20, 2025, We the People convened a virtual conference with the title “#EndSARS 5 Years After: Remembering, Resisting, and Reclaiming Justice.” The Conference which was organized as part of the #IncludeNaija Project supported by the European Union, brought together over 100 participants including young people, activists, lawyers, victims of law enforcement abuses and civil…

On the 10th of October, We the People paid tribute to the indefatigable memory of Ken Saro Wiwa. He would have turned 84 years old on October 10, 2025, if the Nigerian state had not brutally murdered him and eight of his compatriots on November 10, 1995. Ken Saro Wiwa mobilized the Ogoni people under the…

On September 26, 2025, We the People and partners held the first People's Environmental Assembly, a space to articulate and campaign around localised challenges associated with ecological damage caused by oil and gas extraction and climate change in Nigeria, particularly the Niger Delta, including how they manifest in health problems and loss of livelihoods. The Assembly also…

As part of initiatives under the Strengthening Women in Mining (SWIM) project, which focusses on legal empowerment to enhance community actions against injustice, the Research and Advocacy Hub of We the People in Cross River state organised a 2-day capacity-building workshop. This event brought together 25 women from 5 mining-host communities, centred around the theme “Know…

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, We the People convened a community youth training event in Rivers State as part of the continuing #IncludeNaija initiative, supported by the European Union. The session brought together over 100 young activists, reformers, and community leaders from Oroworukwo, PH-Okrika, Elimgbu, Eneka, Rumuodara, Rumuokoro, Woji, Ogbunabali, PH-Town, Borokiri Waterside, Choba, and beyond.…

The Cross River State Forestry Law (2010) was enacted in direct response to Nigeria's concerning reduction in forest cover, which has been driven by logging, expansion of agriculture, and ineffective enforcement of forest preservation policies. Cross River, known for its exceptional biodiversity, required an immediate legislative framework to safeguard its rainforests. Nonetheless, the 2010 legislation took a directive…

As part of initiatives to grow a new generation of ecological activists, We the People held the session of its Junior Rights Academy from 25th to 29th August 2025 in Calabar, Cross Rivers State. The one-week intense and interactive learning brought together creative young people aged 10-16 years with a passion for environmental protection to explore…

On Friday, August 22, 2025, We the People’s Rights Academy held the graduation ceremony of its 3rd cohort at the Nnimmo Bassey Conference Hall in Calabar. Fourteen (14) young scholars successfully completed a 3-month intensive training program on human rights, environmental rights, and advocacy. The Rights Academy serves as a hub for learning and leadership development,…

On Friday, August 22, 2025, We the People convened a one-day workshop on human rights and youth engagement in policing, under the theme “Building Bridges, Enhancing Trust and Promoting Human Rights”. The workshop, held in Calabar, Cross River State, brought together over 30 police officers and 60 young people across the state as part of the…

To commemorate the World Youth Day, August 12th, 2025, We the People hosted a virtual conference on “Mobilizing Youth Action for Democratic Inclusion and Rights Protection” as part of the #IncludeNaija Project supported by the European Union. This year’s International Youth Day event was more than a commemoration — it was a wake-up call for youths…

As part of its ongoing mobilization and campaign for inclusion of young people in policy and governance processes in the country, We the People on the 29th of July 2025 hosted a youth rally and lecture at the University of Cross River State, Calabar. The event which was organized in partnership with the Student Union Government…

Concerned with the escalating threat of deforestation in Cross River State, We the People and partners organized the 3rd edition of its annual Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Deforestation in Cross River state. The Conference which held in Calabar, Cross River State assembled stakeholders including community leaders, conservationists, public officials, legal practitioners, the academia, and the media. Among…

On Friday July 18th, 2025, We the People in partnership with YouCan-B Initiative and the University of Calabar Youth Friendly Hub held a youth civic leadership rally with the theme, “Empowered to Lead: Inspire, Influence and Impact” in the University of Calabar, Cross River State. The event brought together over 200 students and youth leaders, all…

On July 17, 2025, We the People held the 3rd edition of its annual Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Deforestation in Cross River state. The conference which held in Calabar, Cross River State brought together stakeholders such as community leaders, conservationists, public officials, legal practitioners, academics and members of the media. The meeting focused on highlighting the increasing…

As part of the activities of the women-led advocacy project, Strengthening Women in Mining (SWIM) We the People hosted women from 5 mining communities, Akansoko, Akwa Ikot Effanga, Abiati, Mfamosing and Mbobui all in Akamkpa and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of Cross River state. The town hall gathering was planned as a space to engage with…

On July 3, 2025, We the People in collaboration with Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), held a webinar titled “Ending Gas Flaring and Reducing Methane Emissions: Policy Options and Community Action.” The discussion brought together policy analysts, civil society leaders, and community advocates to examine Nigeria’s efforts to curb methane emissions and end routine gas flaring,…

On Wednesday, June 11th, We the People hosted a community dialogue on the health impacts of hydrocarbon pollution in the Niger Delta which brought together medical doctors and other health professionals, scientists, civic society advocates, and hydrocarbon pollution survivors to discuss the toll of pollution on the human body and environment. The Niger Delta continues to…