The Niger Delta is one of the most populated natural ecosystems in the world with a land area of 7,386 kilometers. It contains the most extensive mangrove ecosystems in Africa, which covers over 22% of the total forest spread with about 20 million people living along its long coastlines. The mangrove forests in the Niger Delta provide a last line of defense for littoral communities, providing numerous goods and ecosystem services to contiguous populations.
Ken Saro Wiwa was a writer, campaigner and environmental rights activist who used non violent means to advocate against the constant contamination of the environment of ogoniland. He was tried by a Kangaroo court which found an innocent man guilty and subsequently hung him and eight others. His legacy lives on, He message lives on, and Justice shall prevail
In 1990, Saro-Wiwa began devoting most of his time to human rights and environmental causes, particularly in Ogoniland. He was one of the earliest members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), which advocated for the rights of the Ogoni people.
This is a project documentation of the Chicoco Film and drama festival, which was supported by the Prince Claus Funds (PCF) and other local and international organizations. The project focused on creating awareness among local Niger delta communities on alternative means of advocacy that are saustainable and non violent in nature and execution.
The Chicoco film and drama festival was designed to use the audiovisual and cultural platform to educate people of the Niger Delta on sustainable non-violent advocacy in the region. The initiative was supported by PCF, CMAP, and implemented in partnership with DAWN in Creeks and other partner NGOs working in the region. The activity comprised of the following components in each of the delivery locations
a) Roadshows and Rallies
b) Musical Concerts and Cultural Displays
c) Film Screenings and Drama presentations.
Based in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the Media Awareness and Justice Initiative works with groups and social movements working together for social, economic, cultural and environmental justice by helping them use media and communication technologies to inform, organize, mobilize and further their struggles to create a better world.