Features
The Reality Of Amnesty
There was a reported rush by militants in the Niger Delta to surrender arms in the last few days preceding October 4, the expiry date of the amnesty granted them by the Federal Government. Not a few Nigerians were surprised by the development, considering the cynicisms that greeted the amnesty deal when it was first mooted. By the time arms surrendering was completed, some of the most ferocious influences in the creeks of the region, including Ateke Tom, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as “Tompolo” and Farah Dagogo had turned in their arms. Prominent in the amnesty process has been Amnesty Panel Media Coordinator, Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, and Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva. But, perhaps, the most remarkable figure, in the views of some observers, has been the former managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, now special adviser to President Umaru Yar’Adua on Niger Delta affairs. He had personally staked his reputation in his undertaken with the President as well as the militants to successfully oversee the conclusion of the amnesty deal. It appears that Alaibe has good reasons to celebrate except that, as former Petroleum Minister, Tam David-West, has warned, celebrating would be the most ill-advised thing to do at the moment. Reason: over 10, 000 restive young men are waiting to be reintegrated and profitably engaged by the Federal Government. As analysts have pointed out, this alone ought to make the government restless, considering that they may not have appropriated the required resources to accomplish the engagement of the ex-militants. If the resources are there, the government’s legendary snail-speed, some other Nigerians have remarked, would ensure there is wild-spread disenchantment before anything useful is done. If this turns out to be the outcome of the amnesty, Alaibe would truly be on the spot.
Alaibe became a media subject when he took charge of affairs at the NDDC, courtesy of the goodwill of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He had served as vice president of Cosmopolitan Bancshares in 1994, and later as general manager, Corporate Banking and Investment at Societe Generale Bank (Nig.) Ltd. Coming straight from the financial sector, he brought to bear upon the highly politics-tinted administration of the NDDC a certain sense of accountability. According to reports, a major part of the success of the NDDC in addressing the daunting neglect of the Niger Delta region, as well as in reducing the agitation and violence prevalent in the region before the establishment of the NDDC, lies in Alaibe’s great compassion, brilliance, foresight, natural problem-solving and people-savvy skills.
Along with his colleagues on the board and management of the NDDC, he successfully set in motion a coordinated response mechanism to the short-term and long-term challenges of the Niger Delta comprising, as key ingredients, an integrated regional development master plan, interim action plan for key projects in the states as well as skill acquisition programmes, a re-orientation and empowerment of youths.
Not many Nigerians had expected much to come from Alaibe’s appointment as go-between for the Federal Government and the militants.
Alaibe is from Bayelsa State and was the third managing director of the NDDC, succeeding Emmanuel Agwariawvodo, the commission’s second managing director, from Delta State. Godwin Omene from Delta State had been the first to occupy the office, following the establishment of the commission in 2000.
Alaibe’s primary assignment was to work with the Presidential Committee on Amnesty and Disarmament of Militants in the Niger Delta to ensure that its overall objectives are speedily achieved in line with Yar’Adua administration’s agenda for peace, stability and rapid socio-economic development in the region.
Alaibe reports directly to the President and also serves as Special Presidential Negotiator on the Amnesty process. He has put the immense goodwill which he enjoys among stakeholders in the region to good use in driving the amnesty and disarmament process forward to a positive conclusion within a specified period.
So momentous was the acceptance of amnesty – signified by the big haul of surrendered arms from the militants, that Amnesty Declaration Panel Chairman, Lucky Ararile, declared the exercise a huge success, saying “a lot of arms have been evacuated from the region and this will pave the way for peace, security and development in the region.” Then he enthused: “I am happy for Nigeria; I am happy for the Niger Delta.”
Koripamo-Agary, acknowledged that there was a rush to surrender weapons between Saturday and Sunday and reiterated that the post amnesty programme has begun.
“We are still documenting the number of militants who surrendered and the size of weapons surrendered,” she confirmed. As for the post-amnesty plans, she had this to say: “We are documenting them but they are going to the reintegration camps to start the reorientation programme. They have the choice to make and that will be done at the reorientation camps. They will need to tell us what they want to do and they will be trained in that field.”
Koripamo-Agary described the disarmament as a huge success because militant leaders and their unknown underlings came out of the creeks and surrendered. “It was a huge success beyond my imagination. Big names like Tompolo, Ateke Tom, Fara Dagogo, Buster Rymes, Osama Bin Laden, and thousands of the small foot soldiers that we did not really know about, all came out and surrendered. With the quantity of arms turned in, we have a safer country. This atmosphere will lead to the development of the Niger Delta, not just by the federal and state governments, but by potential investors.”
The story was different in some parts of the region, especially among some ethnic groups, which had seen the fight of the militants in the light of the entire struggle of people of the region to get the attention of the world towards their struggle against the determination of the Nigerian state to drive them into extinction. These groups expressed disappointment at the capitulation of the militants, arguing that they had compromised the struggle for equity, fairness, and development. They had regarded the militants as heroes, but now they lament that the battle has been lost. An Ijaw youth leader was reported as saying “we now agree that these militants were fighting for their selfish interests and not for us.’’
Earlier in September, as the amnesty deadline drew close, Alaibe had assured the nation of fruitful negotiations with the militants against a groundswell of skepticisms.
“The consultations were fruitful, the Niger Delta militants as a whole, especially Tompolo and Ateke Tom, whom we met, indicated that they are 100 per cent for the amnesty programme and they accept the amnesty wholly, but they have also made some requests to the President,” Alaibe had said in an interview in Abuja.
He also identified the post-amnesty challenge: “Human capital development via capacity training; sustainable programme; provision of scholarships; genuine rehabilitation programme for freedom fighters; giving the youths the opportunity to manage the security of our region in order to avoid criminal elements sabotaging our sincere efforts; allowing slots for marine equipment and general supply for the companies which will create harmony among the community and the multi-nationals, thus stopping the art of vandalising oil pipelines and bunkering.”
A senior commander of the main armed group Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Farah Dagogo, surrendered his weapons in the oil city of Port Harcourt, on the eve of the expiry date of the amnesty. In a typical manner, Dagogo had declared: “I Farah Dagogo, overall field commander for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta accepts together with field commanders in Rivers State, the presidential offer of amnesty to militants who lay down their weapons. We are surrendering all weapons under our direct control.”
Ateke Tom and around 5,000 militants disarmed at a beach ceremony in the same city while Tompolo accepted the amnesty offer during a meeting with President Yar’Adua late Saturday. In accepting the amnesty, Tompolo promised Yar’Adua his support “to achieve the dreams of this country”. Tompolo was the third key militant leader linked to MEND who have taken up the government offer for unconditional pardon in a bid to end the unrest in the oil producing region.
Dagogo’s acceptance of amnesty not withstanding, some 232 members of the Niger Delta People’s Salvation Front (NDPSF) and the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), under the leadership of Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, have rejected the amnesty offered by President Umaru Yar’Adua which expired on Sunday. They also sued the Federal Government.
A suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by their counsel, Festus Keyamo, asked the court to determine if Yar’Adua can grant pardon to a person under Section 175 of the Constitution without specifying the offence the person has committed.
The group also wants the court to decide: Whether it is not a violation of the principle of fair hearing as in Section 36 of the Constitution for Yar’Adua to unilaterally decide that someone is connected with an offence, refuse to state the pertaining Section of the law breached and grant pardon to such a person, and as such be the accuser and the judge.
The court was also to determine whether Yar’Adua can grant pardon to a person under Section 175 of the Constitution without the person concerned with or convicted of the offence applying for pardon to the President.
The group has claimed that members did not commit any offence known to law to warrant the grant of amnesty to them and insisted that they were freedom fighters and would continue their legitimate fight for freedom and self-determination in line with the United Nations Charter.
In a recent interview, David-West drew attention to the significance of this group of dissenting militants, including MEND’s announcement that it would fight on. He said: “I hope and pray that we’ve seen the end of the whole thing. Why I say this is that it will serve no useful purpose for everybody and the country if the fundamental issue raised is not addressed. And this is simple-justice. Without justice, what we’re doing will be empty. You cannot have peace without justice.”
He has raised what analysts consider very fundamental questions concerning the surrendered weapons. Hear him: “It is an indictment on the intelligence and security outfits of this country if after many months of surveillance and fighting in the territory they could not recover all these weapons and armoury by themselves. The big question is, are these all the guns in their (militants) possession? Is this really the end of it? Is it 100 per cent? They (security forces) don’t know, we don’t know, and that is the danger because they didn’t recover them by themselves!”
The don saw what appears like opportunism in the manner Bayelsa State Governor Timipreye Sylva and Alaibe had conducted themselves through the disarmament process. As he put it: “They (Sylva and Alaibe) are trying to please and impress Yar’Adua, like two wives in a polygamous family, to get him to support them for 2011 governorship. So, where is the soul of the amnesty? Americans would say: where is the meat in the hamburger?”
After the ceremony, what next? That is the question on the lips of the vocal majority of commentators who have continued to insist that the ceremony will not last long given the insinuations that the government might not be forthcoming on their promises just as the restive youths still have access to large depots of armoury buried in the creeks. One of their refrains during the disarmament was “we have dropped the arms, but not the struggle.” It is not yet clear, what new forms the struggle will take in the days ahead as there are no indications that the causes of the agitations are being or would be redressed.
Austin Oboh
The importance of vocational training to the development of any nation cannot be over emphasised. Technical education experts define vocational education as any form of educational program or course that focuses on teaching the specific skills and knowledge required for a particular job or trade. Unlike traditional academic education, which is often broader and theoretical, vocational training is practical, hands-on, and tailored to prepare individuals for specific careers or industries. They also argue that the dearth of trained vocational and middle-level technical manpower represents a very serious gap in the development of third-world countries, including Nigeria. This argument, perhaps, underscores the Federal Government’s bold move towards educational reforms in Nigeria which includes the inculcation of vocational education into the schools curriculum as a way of equipping students with practical skills and enhancing their employability.
A recent statement released by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), indicated that the government has added 15 vocational subjects to the Basic Education curriculum. These additions which take effect from January, 2025, they said, are designed to promote hands-on learning and better prepare students for the job market. The new subjects include: Plumbing, tiling and floor works, POP installation, Event decoration and management, Bakery and Confectionery, Hairstyling, Makeup, Interior Design, GSM Repairs, Satellite/TV Antenna Installation. Others are: CCTV and intercom installation and maintenance, solar installation and maintenance, garment making, agriculture and processing, which covers crop production, beekeeping, horticulture, and livestock farming (e.g., poultry and rabbit rearing) and Basic Digital Literacy, incorporating IT and robotics.
The former Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who earlier hinted on the new curriculum for basic schools during a meeting with stakeholders in Abuja, last October, said under the new curriculum, pupils in basic schools will be required to acquire at least two skills. According to the former minister, “The idea is that by the time children finish school, they should have at least two skills. Students should be able to finish school with a minimum of two skills so that they can have a very productive life. “The basis for the curriculum is the National Skills Framework, and it has been approved. It’s a very big project; it affects all schools in Nigeria, public and private.“Whether in the public sector or private sector, all schools are going to implement it. So, this is already determined. It doesn’t require anybody’s consent or any institution can depart from it.
Speaking on implementation, the Mamman said, “We do not expect comprehensive, full implementation from January because, when you roll out something new, there’s a lot of preparation that has to take place by the schools, acquiring new things, equipment, and small things that they will need,” adding that plans were underway to ensure teachers were well-equipped for the new curriculum. He also spoke on the benefits of the curriculum, noting that it would rekindle the desire of parents and students to acquire formal education. Hear him, “Some parents do not want to send their children to school. Right now, part of the problem why schooling has become unattractive is because people finish and there’s no change in their lives. “They cannot be employed. They can’t do anything on their own. So, parents question the value of spending money to send their children to school. “Now it’s going to change that game altogether.
And we have seen how these things resonate with parents. When they are successfully implemented, you will see students will want to run to school every morning. Parents want to take their children to school because they are learning practical things while in school.”The Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Dr Margret Lawani, had also disclosed during the same event that the newly introduced subjects fell under the vocational and entrepreneurship studies framework, which has been designed to expose pupils to various trades across multiple sectors. In the views of some vocational training experts, the decision to include vocational education into the basic school curriculum is plausible as it comes at a time when the nation’s education system is facing mounting criticism for its inability to adequately prepare students for real-world challenges.
They opined that by introducing vocational training at an early age, Nigeria has an opportunity to bridge the gap between formal education and practical skill acquisition. They however noted that the success of this initiative hinges on thoughtful implementation and sustained support. “The problem of Nigeria has never been a dearth of ideas or policies on how to move the country forward. In the past some educationists came up with the idea of 6-3-3-4 system of education whereby Students would be taught introductory technology and other forms of vocational skills at the junior secondary school level to better equip them for the real world in future. What happened to that brilliant idea? How many schools have well-equipped laboratories and well-trained teachers to handle these technical and vocational subjects? “The idea of setting up technical schools and polytechnics across the country is for them to serve as a grooming ground for young Nigerians in the area of technology.
How has the government, both federal and states, supported these schools to succeed? So, our problem is lack of implementation, fragmented policies and lack of sustenance not lack of ideas”, posited one expert. He advised that for the new curriculum to bear positive fruits, the government must take time to sensitize heads and owners of schools, teachers, parents and pupils of both public and private schools on the importance of the subjects and assist the schools in acquiring the necessary equipment and tools for the smooth running of the curriculum. “These subjects being introduced cannot be taught only theoretically as we are used to in this country. They require regular practical classes which will cost some money. Government, via the ministries of education, must vote out money for these practical classes and be ready to supervise schools to ensure that they are doing the right thing,” he added
Noting the importance of vocational training in today’s Nigeria where the rate of unemployment is high, Mr. Abel Ikiriko, a basic technology teacher in a Private School at Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, regretted that vocational training is often seen as a last resort for those who fail academically, leading to low enrolment. He said, “I say this because I am a teacher and I know what we see in school every day. When these vocational subjects are introduced, you will see parents who will go to their children’s schools to make trouble because the children are compelled to learn maybe Hairstyling or something like that. Every parent wants their children to be doctors, lawyers, engineers and other professions and never skilled persons because for our society, skilled jobs are for the dullards.” “One of the most pressing issues in our labor market is the skills gap. Employers often struggle to find workers with the right skills, despite high unemployment rates. Yet many youths are not willing to be trained in a vocation. They prefer to search for the unavailable white-collar jobs. So unfortunate,” he continued.
Ikiriko said that the inclusion of vocational training in primary schools has benefits that extend beyond future job prospects. “Hands-on activities help children develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills that are essential in any field. Vocational subjects can also provide an alternative pathway for students who may not excel in traditional academic subjects, ensuring that no child is left behind in the education system. Moreover, these subjects can instill a sense of dignity in manual labor and shift societal perceptions about the value of skilled trades.”He advocated for public awareness campaigns so as to change perceptions about vocational education, and showcase its potential to lead to successful careers. Mrs. Meg Amadi, a mother of three pupils is concerned about the curriculum of the primary schools being overloaded, stressing that that is a potential risk.
According to her, primary school students are at a formative stage of their development, and overloading them with too many subjects could lead to cognitive fatigue. She maintained that careful planning is required to ensure that the new vocational subjects complement rather than compete with core academic learning; that they are seamlessly integrated into the broader curriculum without overwhelming students. To maximize the impact of this initiative, she offered the following suggestions: the government must invest in training and retraining teachers to deliver vocational subjects effectively, collaborating with vocational training institutes and NGOs for better result; government should begin with pilot programs in select schools to identify best practices and address challenges before scaling up nationwide; the private sector should be engaged to provide funding, equipment, and expertise for vocational training in schools.
Nonetheless, some analysts are of the view that the addition of 15 vocational subjects to the basic school curriculum is a visionary step toward transforming the nation’s education system and improving the nation’s economy. they hold that if implemented effectively, the initiative will equip young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world while fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance. They said that with collaborative effort, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders and the right execution, this bold move could serve as a model for other nations seeking to align education with the demands of the 21st century.
Calista Ezeaku
The importance of vocational training to the development of any nation cannot be over emphasised. Technical education experts define vocational education as any form of educational program or course that focuses on teaching the specific skills and knowledge required for a particular job or trade. Unlike traditional academic education, which is often broader and theoretical, vocational training is practical, hands-on, and tailored to prepare individuals for specific careers or industries. They also argue that the dearth of trained vocational and middle-level technical manpower represents a very serious gap in the development of third-world countries, including Nigeria. This argument, perhaps, underscores the Federal Government’s bold move towards educational reforms in Nigeria which includes the inculcation of vocational education into the schools curriculum as a way of equipping students with practical skills and enhancing their employability.
A recent statement released by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), indicated that the government has added 15 vocational subjects to the Basic Education curriculum. These additions which take effect from January, 2025, they said, are designed to promote hands-on learning and better prepare students for the job market. The new subjects include: Plumbing, tiling and floor works, POP installation, Event decoration and management, Bakery and Confectionery, Hairstyling, Makeup, Interior Design, GSM Repairs, Satellite/TV Antenna Installation. Others are: CCTV and intercom installation and maintenance, solar installation and maintenance, garment making, agriculture and processing, which covers crop production, beekeeping, horticulture, and livestock farming (e.g., poultry and rabbit rearing) and Basic Digital Literacy, incorporating IT and robotics.
The former Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, who earlier hinted on the new curriculum for basic schools during a meeting with stakeholders in Abuja, last October, said under the new curriculum, pupils in basic schools will be required to acquire at least two skills. According to the former minister, “The idea is that by the time children finish school, they should have at least two skills. Students should be able to finish school with a minimum of two skills so that they can have a very productive life. “The basis for the curriculum is the National Skills Framework, and it has been approved. It’s a very big project; it affects all schools in Nigeria, public and private.“Whether in the public sector or private sector, all schools are going to implement it. So, this is already determined. It doesn’t require anybody’s consent or any institution can depart from it.
Speaking on implementation, the Mamman said, “We do not expect comprehensive, full implementation from January because, when you roll out something new, there’s a lot of preparation that has to take place by the schools, acquiring new things, equipment, and small things that they will need,” adding that plans were underway to ensure teachers were well-equipped for the new curriculum. He also spoke on the benefits of the curriculum, noting that it would rekindle the desire of parents and students to acquire formal education. Hear him, “Some parents do not want to send their children to school. Right now, part of the problem why schooling has become unattractive is because people finish and there’s no change in their lives. “They cannot be employed. They can’t do anything on their own. So, parents question the value of spending money to send their children to school. “Now it’s going to change that game altogether.
And we have seen how these things resonate with parents. When they are successfully implemented, you will see students will want to run to school every morning. Parents want to take their children to school because they are learning practical things while in school.”The Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Dr Margret Lawani, had also disclosed during the same event that the newly introduced subjects fell under the vocational and entrepreneurship studies framework, which has been designed to expose pupils to various trades across multiple sectors. In the views of some vocational training experts, the decision to include vocational education into the basic school curriculum is plausible as it comes at a time when the nation’s education system is facing mounting criticism for its inability to adequately prepare students for real-world challenges.
They opined that by introducing vocational training at an early age, Nigeria has an opportunity to bridge the gap between formal education and practical skill acquisition. They however noted that the success of this initiative hinges on thoughtful implementation and sustained support. “The problem of Nigeria has never been a dearth of ideas or policies on how to move the country forward. In the past some educationists came up with the idea of 6-3-3-4 system of education whereby Students would be taught introductory technology and other forms of vocational skills at the junior secondary school level to better equip them for the real world in future. What happened to that brilliant idea? How many schools have well-equipped laboratories and well-trained teachers to handle these technical and vocational subjects? “The idea of setting up technical schools and polytechnics across the country is for them to serve as a grooming ground for young Nigerians in the area of technology.
How has the government, both federal and states, supported these schools to succeed? So, our problem is lack of implementation, fragmented policies and lack of sustenance not lack of ideas”, posited one expert. He advised that for the new curriculum to bear positive fruits, the government must take time to sensitize heads and owners of schools, teachers, parents and pupils of both public and private schools on the importance of the subjects and assist the schools in acquiring the necessary equipment and tools for the smooth running of the curriculum. “These subjects being introduced cannot be taught only theoretically as we are used to in this country. They require regular practical classes which will cost some money. Government, via the ministries of education, must vote out money for these practical classes and be ready to supervise schools to ensure that they are doing the right thing,” he added
Noting the importance of vocational training in today’s Nigeria where the rate of unemployment is high, Mr. Abel Ikiriko, a basic technology teacher in a Private School at Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, regretted that vocational training is often seen as a last resort for those who fail academically, leading to low enrolment. He said, “I say this because I am a teacher and I know what we see in school every day. When these vocational subjects are introduced, you will see parents who will go to their children’s schools to make trouble because the children are compelled to learn maybe Hairstyling or something like that. Every parent wants their children to be doctors, lawyers, engineers and other professions and never skilled persons because for our society, skilled jobs are for the dullards.” “One of the most pressing issues in our labor market is the skills gap. Employers often struggle to find workers with the right skills, despite high unemployment rates. Yet many youths are not willing to be trained in a vocation. They prefer to search for the unavailable white-collar jobs. So unfortunate,” he continued.
Ikiriko said that the inclusion of vocational training in primary schools has benefits that extend beyond future job prospects. “Hands-on activities help children develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills that are essential in any field. Vocational subjects can also provide an alternative pathway for students who may not excel in traditional academic subjects, ensuring that no child is left behind in the education system. Moreover, these subjects can instill a sense of dignity in manual labor and shift societal perceptions about the value of skilled trades.”He advocated for public awareness campaigns so as to change perceptions about vocational education, and showcase its potential to lead to successful careers. Mrs. Meg Amadi, a mother of three pupils is concerned about the curriculum of the primary schools being overloaded, stressing that that is a potential risk.
According to her, primary school students are at a formative stage of their development, and overloading them with too many subjects could lead to cognitive fatigue. She maintained that careful planning is required to ensure that the new vocational subjects complement rather than compete with core academic learning; that they are seamlessly integrated into the broader curriculum without overwhelming students. To maximize the impact of this initiative, she offered the following suggestions: the government must invest in training and retraining teachers to deliver vocational subjects effectively, collaborating with vocational training institutes and NGOs for better result; government should begin with pilot programs in select schools to identify best practices and address challenges before scaling up nationwide; the private sector should be engaged to provide funding, equipment, and expertise for vocational training in schools.
Nonetheless, some analysts are of the view that the addition of 15 vocational subjects to the basic school curriculum is a visionary step toward transforming the nation’s education system and improving the nation’s economy. they hold that if implemented effectively, the initiative will equip young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world while fostering a culture of innovation and self-reliance. They said that with collaborative effort, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders and the right execution, this bold move could serve as a model for other nations seeking to align education with the demands of the 21st century.
Calista Ezeaku
For three decades or more, there has been a cessation of oil production activities in Ogoni land. But recent meeting of President Bola Tinubu with notable sons and groups may return Ogoni to renewed oil-production once again. Ogonis are weary of perennial neglect. Days after the meeting, President Tinubu gave a nod to the establishment of a University of Environmental Technology in Tai in the Ogoni area. He had earlier-on approved appointments into some federal boards in which some notable Ogonis were among the beneficiaries. The President’s actions and speeches so far have indicated good faith and good intentions. This has urged hard-nosed and irrepressible resistant leaders like Attorney Ledum Mitee, one-time President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), to be in complete agreement with the return to oil production.
He was heard on the news calling on all well- meaning sons and daughters of Ogoniland to accept the offers coming their way. Many Ogonis however, are still doubtful about the President’s intentions. They have said it is all geared towards the Federal Government having access to the rich oil and gas deposits in Ogoni soil. There is also distrust by some who have yet to heal from past injustices inflicted on the land by previous governments in cahoots with the oil majors. Since 1993 when oil production stopped in Ogoni land following intensive protests from the Ogoni people, the Nigerian government and the oil majors stopped reaping from millions of dollars in proceeds from the oil and gas. Lawson Hayford, a veteran journalist, who has reported the Niger Delta for over four decades, particularly the Niger Delta and the Ogoni crisis, said Nigeria has lost revenue amounting to over N30 trillion for the 32 years that oil has not been mined in Ogoni land.
Writing in the Southern Examiner, Hayford said, “While oil exploration and production in the Niger Delta region began in the late 1950s, operations were suspended in Ogoniland in the early 1990s due to disruptions from local public unrests with oil fields and installations remaining largely dormant for about 34 years, leading to a loss of revenue of over N30 trillion. “There are a total of 96 oil wells connected to five flow stations across the four local government areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme in Ogoniland. They were being operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC of Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Royal Dutch Shell.” That story is presently being rewritten by the remediation efforts of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the work of Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, its Project Coordinator.
“Over 50 communities are now enjoying potable water.” As though this was not magic enough, contractors are working hard toward mangrove regeneration not to leave out empowerment programmes for women and people with disabilities. These are stories too good to be true. In addition, the Petroleum Industry Act has also been introduced to take care of some basic needs of the oil communities, especially by tying development of the communities to the operational budgets of the oil companies. The establishment of a host community development trust as a condition for oil mining license holders regarding community development, may well be the magic wand required to turn things around for the Ogonis. A trying present is most likely to give way to a prosperous future. The future of the land and peoples of oil-bearing communities appear brighter with possibilities within this framework.
Environmentalist and lawyer, Iniro Wills, however, strongly thinks that the community-friendly clause in the PIA is only a tiny drop that cannot quench the thirst of the people’s appetite. Only time will tell. A lot of work needs to be done to bring every party in the Ogoni scenario to the table. Some groups are yet to agree with the return of oil production in Ogoniland, while others do not quite agree with the modus operandi adopted to initiate the process. They would all need to be brought together to ventilate their positions so that everyone is taken along together. Last Saturday, the committee that emerged to kickstart a process of the consultations initiated by President Tinubu convened a meeting at Freed Centre, Bori in the heart of Ogoniland. Though it was well attended, proceedings had to be hurried as a group of protesters stormed the venue.
Blessing Wikina, a long time public communications expert from Ogoni however, noted that the Bori meeting was a good landing. He said he was there. He dismissed the slanted reports about the meeting which he said were done to create social media content. He said in his social media handle that the committee deliberately avoided founding the consultations along old ‘loyalty blocs’ and ‘groups of people with entitlement blood.’ “Every Ogoni was to attend as an individual, not as a member of a camp. This approach meant no one would claim success or failure.”
Several factions exist in Ogoniland, including the leading pressure group, MOSOP, and they all need to get involved in the consultations, including those sulking for not being invited to the Abuja parley with the President.
Factional MOSO President, Fegalo Nsuke, recalled how MOSOP championed the Ogoni struggle from the beginning and wondered why MOSOP was not invited to Abuja or the Bori meeting. Hayford said, “sidelining MOSOP in the move to re-enter Ogoniland for oil and gas production could create distrust in the hearts of the Ogoni people, cautioning against rushing the process in order not to generate tension, anxiety and crisis in the landscape of Ogoni area.” Certain that the current process led by President Tinubu would yield good fruit for the Ogoni, Wikina says, he silently prays that “this oil resumption comes sooner, so that our people will participate in productive ventures around our oil economy…..and get benefits like our brothers in Orashi area, Bonny axis, etc.”
He cast a glance at the Bodo-Bonny road that will link mainland Nigeria with the vital island port of Bonny that is passing through Ogoniland. “Shall we wait, watch, as vehicles drive through here, to where lucrative oil businesses are happening…without our involvement? Every party will have to sheathe their sword and embrace the ongoing consultation process that will lead to a prosperous future for the land and the people.
Dagogo Josiah, Olayinka Coker and Emmanuel Obe
Josiah, Coker and Obe wrote in from Port Harcourt.
