Features
UNEP Report: Future Of Oil Exploration In Ogoni
Unsure of what the future holds, for his family in the aftermath of the August 2008 major oil spill in his community Kozo, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Simon Kpagha paid an unscheduled visit to his inlaw, Philip Nsereka, a construction worker that resides in Port Harcourt.
“Luckily the visit yielded fruit. He loaned N40,000 to me when I told him that my children may drop out of school if I don’t find something doing very urgently. “It is with that money that I bought this “okada” which I have been using for local transportation since then.” Kpagha says he considers himself lucky unlike most of his mates whose major occupation before the spill were fishing and crop farming.
“Most of my people cannot find food to eat today because after the spill everything started disappearing. We don’t catch enough fish again and the crops were withering. It was risky to consume anything from there, for fear of chemical contamination.” Asked how he feels about the recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, Kpagha replied; “It is one thing to make report and another to implement it. I pray to be alive to see the result.”
Indeed, if Kpagha were lucky to have found an alternative means of livelihood, thousands of other Kozoleans and indeed other oil bearing communities in Ogoniland have not been as lucky.
Not a few Ogonis blame the mass unemployment, poverty and lack of sustainable infrastructure in the area on the decades of oil exploration and exploitation in the joint venture operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Development Company. This situation, they claim, destroyed the aquatic life and the entire ecosystem leaving the people dislocated and devastated.
It is as a result of this, that the area has continued to witness bloody convulsion in their various attempts to register their grievances even as most of the violence were believed, by the people of the area, to be politically motivated and to have been sponsored from without.
The high point was the killings of four prominent sons of Ogoni in 1994 in a violent outburst and the subsequent arrest, trial and execution of yet other prominent sons of the area whom the government accused of having inspired the riots.
Convinced that violent approach can never solve problems but could rather create more problems, Bodo people and indeed other Ogonis have since resorted to dialogue and legal action as peaceful approaches to their agitation. One of such legal actions filed in a London court gave a favourable verdict to Ogoni people recently. Though, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has been at the forefront of the struggle, reaching out to international agencies and humanitarian organisations, the locals, through their councils of chiefs, have also not relented in their efforts to organise themselves and to speak with one voice in support of the agitation.
The Bodo council of chiefs and elders where His Royal Highness, King Felix Sunday Berebon reigns as the paramount ruler is one of such unions.
The chairman of Bodo council of chiefs, Mene Leema V. Hycient, while reacting to the UNEP report said that his council and the entire Bodo people are peace loving people and also speak with one voice. “That is why we cooperated with other Ogoni people in the London suit that has just given us a favourable verdict.” According to Hycient, Bodo people are happy on hearing about the UNEP report because it has vindicated them.
“The struggle claimed many of our heros. We are a bit consoled by the report. But we shall only be fully consoled if the federal government reacts positively.” He traced the history of oil exploration and its concomitant effects on the environment to 1958/59. According to him, when Shell first started operation in Bodo Oil field, it did not take time before the devastating effect began to manifest. But rather than draw up a comprehensive programme of remediation and reparation, the oil giant adopted temporary measures which they called “clamping.” Subsequently, aquatic life began to dwindle.
“You know three quarters of our people depend on a dual means of livelihood, namely: fishing and farming.
These have been seriously affected over the years, but the high point was the fire disaster of March 16, 2011.
“A little spark here ignites a wild fire everywhere. The lands are now barren and lying waste.”
Echoeing the views of Hycient, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the community chief Patrick Tonwe said Bodo people should be seriously considered in the implementation of the report.
“We know there has been several reports in the past that were dumped. This one should not be like those ones. It is the devastation that is responsible for the mass poverty that we are experiencing in Bodo today,” he said.
If the destruction of aquatic life in Bodo and other parts of Ogoni worried the people, the greater apprehension came from health concerns. Expressing this concern, Tonwe explained that Bodo people cannot absolve Shell of responsibility for the high incidence of oil spill contaminations, cancer and other related diseases in Bodo and its environs.
“The life expectancy here is very low. Some experts have put it at below 50 years. A 50-year old man or woman is supposed to be middle-aged. But if one is lucky to get to this age here, that person rejoices and is celebrated.
We blame Shell because even the UNEP report indicated that we have been taking in hydrocarbon and Benzene,” Tonwe stated. He denied knowledge that the NNPC was planning to resume oil exploration in the area. “If such a thing is going to happen we should be informed but we will insist that old wounds must be healed first.”
When The Tide visited Bodo City health centre, there was no sign that the health centre was functional. The structure looked dilapidated and there were no sign of medical activity going on at the centre. However, at the Gokana General Hospital, commissioned by the Col Musa Shehu’s administration in Rivers State in 1996, few patients were seen at the outpatient ward waiting to receive treatment. The buildings were also largely dilapidated.
Patients constantly adjusted their seats to avoid being drenched by water dripping from a leaking roof in the out patient lounge. The medical Doctor on duty was said to be carrying out a surgical operation in the hospital theatre.
There was a consensus of opinion, among the council of chiefs whom The Tide team later met in session at the town hall in Bodo, that the area would require, as a matter of urgency, clean up, remediation and restoration of the environment as a first step towards addressing the health concerns. This should also be accompanied by massive employment of youths of the area in productive ventures.
Other development programmes that they believe would go along way in assuaging the pains of the people include; regular power supply, provision of portable water, reactivation and equipping of existing health facilities, construction of internal roads and scholarship awards.
However, worried about the health consequences of continued lack of dependable source of portable water in Ogoniland the Rivers State government last week deployed water tankers to the area while efforts to reactivate existing water schemes and construct new ones are on.
Before the publication of the damning report about the environmental impact of oil exploration and exploitation in Ogoni by UNEP, the Oil Producing States Farmers Association of Nigeria (OPSFAN) Gokana Chapter, had accused Shell of exposing the fishermen in the area to ridicule by keeping silent over the devastating effect of oil spills in the area despite efforts by the association to draw Shells attention to the situation. According to the OPSFAN chairman, Chief Simon Visanga, the affected fishermen were all members of OPSFAN.
He said that before the major spill of August 2008, the fishermen in Bodo alone had the capacity of making a daily income of N1m, but that the spill had robbed them of that life of abundance leaving in its wake hopelessness and gloom. According to him, Shell accepted responsibility for the spill attributing it to equipment and operational failures, but rather than pay compensation to the fishermen they brought some bags of rice and distributed to some chiefs at the expense of the actual victims of the spill.
He lamented that the periwinkles, lobsters, crabs and mudskippers that they used to harvest in large quantities for domestic and commercial purposes have all vanished making life miserable.
Also, reacting to the report, the Ogoni Welfare Association Lagos chapter, through its Public Relations Officers, Mr. ThankGod Meekor, called for a comprehensive implementation of the UNEP’s report’s recommendations under the supervision of the United nations. The group wants 99 per cent of the manpower needed for the implementation to be sourced from amongst the Ogoni at home and in the Diaspora.
Again, after a meeting last week in Bori, which MOSOP claimed was attended by 5,000 delegates, the group gave 30 days ultimatum within which the federal government, Shell and other stakeholders must begin action towards implementation of UNEP report after which it will begin mobilisation for a non-violent mass action.
However, officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and representatives of international oil companies (IOC’s) including Shell met Thursday last week in Abuja to deliberate on ways of implementing key recommendations of the UNEP report on oil pollution in Ogoniland.
Group General Manager in charge of Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, said last week that a key decision reached at the end of the meeting was that a committee would be set up to study and evaluate the report and come up with a desirable action plan that would bring back the glory of ogoniland.
He said that the meeting of the stakeholders over the UNEP report was a testimony of how important they regarded the Ogoniland issue and also a demonstration of the fact that oil companies were not out to deliberately damage the environment of their host communities.
How the knotty issue of environmental degradation in Ogoni is addressed viz-a-viz the implementation of the UNEP report will certainly determine the future of oil exploitation in the area. For now the general thinking by the Ogonis appears to be that healing old wounds should be the first step in determining the future of oil exploration activities not only in Bodo, but in the rest of Ogoniland.
Desmond Osueke, Friday Nwinudee & Donald Mike Jaja
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.