ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA LOSES DEPENDABLE MEMBER, PATRICK NAAGBANTON.

With a deep sense of sorrow and shock, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD a foremost NGO in Port Harcourt, announces the passing of Patrick Naagbanton, a committed human and environmental rights defender, poet, humanist, and independent,investigative journalist.

He was knocked down by a reckless driver along Eliozu Road in Port Harcourt  on Friday, September 13 at about 3 pm while he stood at  the roadside. He was rushed to a private hospital in coma and placed under intensive care. He died after about eight days of battling for survival, on Saturday, September, 21, 2019. Patrick, who hailed from Bodo City, Ogoni, Gokana LGA of Rivers State worked at Beacon newspapers and Environmental Rights Action ERA, before he founded CEHRD, an international human and environmental NGO, which has been in the forefront of the struggle for environmental and social justice in the Niger Delta and across the country.

He later resigned his position as the pioneer Coordinator of the organisation to join the Nigerian Stability and Reconciliation Program, NSRP of the British Council, as well as other international development agencies as a consultant. His death has been described as an irreplaceable loss not only to the human rights community, but to humankind in view of his uncommon courage, expansive, generous spirit, humility and selflessness.

Patrick born August 25, 1970, is survived by his wife, Avary, his aged mother, children and other relations as well as numerous friends and colleagues. Burial arrangements will be announced later.

Signed:

Styvn Obodoekwe

Director of Programmes

CEHRD,

+2348033390311

www.cehrd.org.ng