Ochendo: An African Journal of Innovative Studies

The question of environmental wellbeing has become increasingly urgent in contemporary Africa, where the degradation of ecosystems continues to threaten both human health and the wider biotic community. The erosion of biodiversity not only undermines ecological balance but also compromises public health, given humanity's dependence on nature for food, medicine, and overall wellbeing. This situation calls for a rethinking of the ethical and philosophical foundations of human interaction with the natural environment. This paper argues that African indigenous philosophical resources provide critical insights for addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and its implications for eco-wellness. It engages the Urhobo concept of Okugbeakpeje, which affirms the unity, solidarity, and interrelatedness of all forms of life, alongside the Igbo philosophy of Igwebuike, which emphasises strength in communal interdependence. These philosophies articulate a worldview in which existence is fundamentally relational, thereby offering a moral basis for ecological responsibility. Employing cultural hermeneutics and critical analysis, the paper examines how these concepts can be re-appropriated within contemporary environmental discourse to foster collective commitment to biodiversity conservation. It contends that the current ecological crisis reflects, in part, a breakdown of relational consciousness embedded in indigenous thought. The paper concludes that a recovery and constructive appropriation of Okugbeakpeje and Igwebuike can contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and the promotion of eco-wellness, thereby advancing a more holistic understanding of public health in Africa.

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