Author: Chukwuyem Othniel Omijie, Cynthia Chinenye Nwokolo

Abstract: Many African authors have consistently embraced topics related to land concerns and the environment that are crucial to local, cultural, and societal development. This essay analyzes Gabriel Okara's The Voice for the depiction of environmental deterioration brought on by corrupt leadership, and the blatant display of power to silent those who speak against injustice. While corruption is a recurrent issue in Nigeria Delta literature, the theme of environmental degradation shows the disastrous effects of oil exploration and exploitation on the Niger Delta area. The paper examines the degree of corruption and pollution in the text under investigation and their repercussions on the ecology of the host communities, which are mostly farmers and fishermen, using Eco-Criticism and Post-Colonial Literary Theories as its theoretical framework. The article makes a connection between these crimes and the West's insensitivity to the misery of the people as a result of its drive for possession. This causes nature to stagnate and the environment to deteriorate. To assess Okara's depiction of power struggles and excessive desire in the midst of abundance through his characters and the community's setting, the paper chooses quotes from the book. It develops the connection between the author and his community as the voice of Africa's oppressed people.

Keywords: Degradation, Eco-criticism, Environmental pollution, Disillusionment, Oil Spill

Article Info: Received: 02 Jun 2023; Received in revised form: 01 Jul 2023; Accepted: 08 Jul 2023; Available online: 15 Jul 2023

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.84.8