𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗛 𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗛 2025 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱, ......𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑰𝒋𝒂𝒘 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔.

𝗝𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗛 𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗛 2025 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱, 

......𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑰𝒋𝒂𝒘 𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔.

By NigerDelta Voice

Delta State Correspondent

January 16, 2026

Deep within the water-logged creeks of the Niger Delta—where mangroves shield both nature’s beauty and human suffering—a powerful humanitarian story has re-emerged, stirring emotions and renewing urgent conversations about justice, disability inclusion and corporate responsibility.

At the centre of this story is Joseph Evah, renowned human rights activist and disability advocate, whose 2025 birthday anniversary transcended celebration and became a moment of reckoning for the forgotten.

During humanitarian outreach activities marking his birthday, Evah uncovered the heartbreaking yet inspiring life story of a mysterious Ijaw woman born without legs—a woman who has crawled on bare earth since childhood, survived unimaginable hardship, raised children, and today lives to see her grandchildren.Her existence, shaped by pain and perseverance, mirrors the daily reality of many vulnerable persons in Nigeria’s oil-rich but development-starved Niger Delta.

A LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO THE VULNERABLE.

Evah disclosed that his advocacy journey with persons living with disabilities dates back to 1999, when he committed his life to fighting for inclusive societies across the Niger Delta. For his 2025 birthday, he redirected his annual humanitarian gesture—donations of wheelchairs and a popcorn-making machine—into the most remote parts of the region.

Two riverine communities were selected:

Enekorogha (Delta State) and Peretoru (Bayelsa State). It was during coordination efforts in Delta State that volunteers stumbled upon the life story of the legless woman—described as a survivor who has literally crawled through life against all odds.

In a recorded video now circulating, the woman humbly appealed for assistance, her voice echoing decades of neglect.

Evah responded with renewed commitment.

“By the grace of God, I will do more for her in January 2026,” he assured.

FROM HUMANITARIANISM TO JUSTICE ADVOCACY

Beyond charity, Evah’s birthday reflection reopened a defining chapter in Niger Delta activism—corporate accountability and broken agreements. He renewed calls on the American Embassy and the British High Commission to caution Chevron Oil Company over what he described as growing neglect of a landmark agreement reached after a historic 2008 protest.

Evah recalled mobilising blind students from across the Niger Delta to Chevron’s Lagos headquarters, where they blocked the company’s entrance while he addressed international media.

During the protest, he accused multinational oil firms of grave environmental and health abuses, including: Gas flaring, which he linked to pollution and eye-related illnesses

Environmental negligence, alleging oil exploration without proper Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) contributed to disabilities, including paralysis linked to polio.

At the height of the protest, Evah revealed that the then Inspector-General of Police called from Abuja, expressing concern that the demonstration was “embarrassing Nigeria” globally.

Chevron eventually requested dialogue.

“I told him I cannot meet my tenants. All oil companies in the Niger Delta are my tenants,” Evah recalled.

The standoff produced a historic outcome: Chevron agreed to provide annual free scholarships for blind children from the Niger Delta. According to Evah, Shell—anticipating confrontation—sent educational materials to the blind students’ office even before being challenged.

While commending Chevron for honouring the agreement for several years, Evah expressed deep concern over recent claims that the company now lacks funds to sustain the scholarship scheme.

“Chevron Oil Company, respect yourself,” he warned.

A BIRTHDAY OF GRATITUDE AND RENEWED HOPE

As he marked another year of life, Evah expressed heartfelt gratitude to God and to all who have supported his humanitarian and advocacy work through prayers, moral backing and financial assistance.

In the silent creeks where hope often arrives by canoe, the story of Joseph Evah—and the legless Ijaw woman—serves as a powerful reminder that true celebration lies in restoring dignity, amplifying forgotten voices and demanding justice for the vulnerable.

For the Niger Delta, the message is clear: humanity must never be abandoned.