Diary ... (Continued from p
After the destruction Green Initiatives Arrive in <strong>Nigeria</strong> <strong>of</strong> Odi in 1999, the town rises again. On Dee. 10,2004, the other Earth Rights Institute Co-Director, Annie Goeke, and I returned from ,1two week journey to Bayelsa State, <strong>Nigeria</strong>, hosted by colleague and leader, Gordon Abiama and his wife, Rose. Francis Udisi, also from Odi but now living and working in Philadelphia, has been a key Odi Green City project leader as well. It was a pr<strong>of</strong>ound experience. Our presence was greatly appreciated and our time well-utilized. The high point was the Launching Ceremony for the Odi Ecovillage and Green City Project. Note that Odi was destroyed by federal soldiers in 1999. The town and its residents are still recovering from trauma, hundreds having been killed. The Ecovillage Project is a bright green ray <strong>of</strong> hope for the people <strong>of</strong> Odi. Below is the Press Release for the Launching Ceremony. A!ann,7 Haltzok ealt!Jrts@p,wet 717-26-+-0957 King Shine welcomes Alanna Hartzok, Anne Goeke and members <strong>of</strong> the Odi Ecovillage team. PRESS RELEASE ECOVILLAGE PROJECT FOR ODI Five years after the destruction <strong>of</strong> Odi Town in Bayelsa State, a coalition <strong>of</strong> local and international non governmental organizations have decided to pool their resources to implement a new approach to sustainable development that will bring economic and social transformation to the community. To this end, the partnering organizations are organizing a foundation stone laying/local fund-raising ceremony at Odi Town on November 30th under the distinguished chairmanship <strong>of</strong> His Excellency, the Deputy Governor <strong>of</strong> Bayelsa State, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. The N20 million local fund raising initiative which enjoys ,vide support from illustrious sons and daughters <strong>of</strong> Odi from both within and outside the country is expected to feature such high pr<strong>of</strong>ile personalities as the Hon. Minister <strong>of</strong> Science and Technology, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Turner Isoun, frontline Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Abel Ebifemowei, the Speaker <strong>of</strong> Bayelsa Assembly, Rt. Hon. Boyelayefa Debekeme, traditional rulers, top businessmen and international representatiws <strong>of</strong> corporate agencies organizations in <strong>Nigeria</strong> like the UNDP and USAID. This proposed new development concept known as the Ecovillage/ Green city, says Gordon Abiama, Director <strong>of</strong> Africa Centre for Geoclassical Economics, one <strong>of</strong> the project partners, during an interactive session with journalists at Odi, will stimulate a rapid transformation <strong>of</strong> Odi Town from its current tragic state into a new "Green City" model that ensures a healthy economic, environmental and social community for all. Mr. Abiama describes the Odi project as the first ecovillage project in <strong>Nigeria</strong>, adding that the beginning phase <strong>of</strong> the is the establishment <strong>of</strong> a Living and Learning Centre. It will aim to promote and assist holistic sustainable community development programmes while serving as a point <strong>of</strong> attraction for the wider society. Some <strong>of</strong> the platforms upon which the Centre intends to operate, according to Mr. Abiama, are the promotion <strong>of</strong> ecotourism, renewable energy, micro-enterprise, educational dimensions, women's development, permaculture, information technology and holistic health. Already, reveals Mr. Abiama, consultations are at an advanced stage for collaboration with the Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Science and Technology on project implementation on several aspects <strong>of</strong> it. Mr. Abiama further explainsthat the the ecovillage concept <strong>of</strong> sustainable development rests on the recognition that villages are treasured teachers rather than what developed communities see as mere project beneficiaries. What this means, he says, is that the ecovillage concept will transform the remoteness and lack <strong>of</strong> modern infrastructure <strong>of</strong> African village life from being the development problem to an important piece <strong>of</strong> the answer. This means an enhancement <strong>of</strong> village culture, community and even spirituality, while introducing sustainable livelihoods and benefits <strong>of</strong> modern technology. Mr. Abiama emphasizes that this solidarity with village community way <strong>of</strong> life means a progression from a position <strong>of</strong> self esteem rather than hopelessness and wretchedness due to the loss <strong>of</strong> natural resources, spiritual values, livelihoods, and the flight <strong>of</strong> village children to the city. On a philosophical note, asserts Mr. Abiama, that until the villages are comfortable, the cities will have no rest, and he calls on all well meaning donor agencies to be identified with such a positive and innovative initiative. The overseas partners involved in this initiative are US based Earth Rights Institute, Eco-earth Alliance and the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN), all <strong>of</strong> which will be well represented at the proposed ground breaking ceremony.· (Cantin lied 0/1 page 15.) SPRING 2005 13