An Investigation on the illegal mining of Gold in Ijesaland, a part of Osun state, Nigeria, which is one of the gold producing states in Nigeria. The documentary investigates allegations of landgrabs and displacements in communities as a result of infiltrations by thousands of artisinal and chinese miners and its impact.

Gold Rushes & Land Grabs

The documentary "SAVING THE OSUN RIVER" by Babatunde Okunlola investigates the impact of gold mining and other activities on the Osun River pollution and the true facts about what's polluting the river.

Depended upon by over 20 communities, with more than two million residents and Revered for its cultural and religious powers by the Yoruba speaking people and millions of followers across the world, the river flows through rainforests, farmlands and villages before flowing across Osogbo town in Osun state, which houses a sacred grove which was declared a national monument in 1965, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The river is but now is a source of concern over the brown murky waters and toxic wastes widely believed to have been brought about by gold mining activities.

This is an investigation of an environmental pollution and health disaster that has thus far, been largely believed to be tied to gold mining activities in Ijesa-land. But what exactly is the truth? And what exactly are the impact of the mining activities on the river?

Saving The Osun River

GOLD RUSHES AND LAND GRAB (WITH CUE IN AND CUE OUT )

Cocoa beans was one of the top 15 products exported from Nigeria in the first half of 2022, contributing 12.65% of exports within the period according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). Nigeria realises over $700 million annually from the export of cocoa beans, and is one of four western African countries which supplies 70% of the world’s demand. Osun state is one of the major contributors to that export as a cocoa-producing state in Nigeria. However, that status is being threatened by the impact of the illegal gold mining in parts of ijesaland which has seen acres of lands destroyed or illegally mined, a situation that impact farming, and cocoa production in the state. 

In the documentary “Farmlands for gold”, Babatunde Okunlola investigates the impact of the illegal gold mining on vast farmlands and the devastation left in the trail of terrible illegal gold mining practices and influx of artisanal miners in Osun state, and Ijesaland. 
Is the future of Cocoa and other foods produced here at stake?

Farmlands for Gold

Investigative journalist documenting stories around the gold mining situation and its disastrous impact on communities in ijesaland, Osun state, Nigeria.

Babatunde Okunlola

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