CNN,The Nigerian Government and The Niger Delta
On Friday the 23rd of February, a new phase in the Niger Delta struggle emerged. A Lebanese engineer was killed in circumstances described as deliberate. His death marks a shift from the pacifist nature, Niger Delta militants treat foreign workers. The sudden departure from the soft-handling approach isn’t unexpected as many believed that time would come, when death would become normal, faced with a government unwilling to accede to militant demands. This year marks the forty seventh year, Nigeria’s bloody civil war ended. Three years of war claimed the lives of more than one million Nigerians.
When Uche Nworah, a journalist based in the United Kingdom announced in an article he wrote in a Nigerian website -Nigeriavillagesquare.com - that his views pertaining to the Niger Delta were going to be aired on the Cable News Network (CNN), I felt terribly unhappy because I wasn’t going to be around to hear them.I was anxious to know how he would cease the opportunity to present a case for the Niger Delta.I must say that I was terribly disappointed when I watched the video clip today. He posted it on a real-player type format on the same website. It was an opportunity lost.
The Jeff Kionange report exposed the criminality of the Nigerian State.His report called into question the future of Africa’s most populous nation.His report was brutal and indicted the various government apparatuses in Nigeria.My heart surged with excitement when he declared that if asked to go back to the Niger Delta he would do so ‘in a minute.’ Jeff Kionage is one of the most visible faces I see when I tune to CNN.His casual style of news reporting drew me to him.
The rebuttal of the Nigerian government reflects an inherent intolerance for any negativity of supposed reforms. His report may have been driven by the desire to portray CNN in global light but it was frank and soul-piercing, one that got the Nigerian government expectedly cringing and spewing fire and brimstone. In the face of stiff competition by new entrant Al Jazeera - the English version - it may be appealing to see this sword-sharp journalism as an astute ‘angle find’ but below lurks a blatant emasculation of a people who bear the brunt of the failed Nigerian State - Africa’s colossal waste.
Reports after reports indict the Nigerian government of poor relationship with the Nigerian media.The Reporters Without Borders(RWB), an advocate media body, based in France, in its 2007 annual report revealed series of repressive attitudes towards the Nigerian media at State and national levels. This is indeed worrying. The role of the media in any setting cannot be underestimated. Media can serve as an irenic and expository force against wrongs .Frank Nweke’s - Nigeria’s Minister of Information- rebuttal is nothing short of the demagogue he his. It is high time everyone who has a true stake in Nigeria came together and ironed out a plan, a gateaway for an strong nation.
The Niger Delta must always be at the front burner of our consciousness because it is through the region, Nigeria earns most all its revenues and achieves a semblance of reputation.
I mustn’t fail to write this.The internet has afforded me an immense opportunity to know about Nigeria.I have lived outside Nigeria for years and any news report that exposes the nation in true light is always welcoming to me.Before discovering the internet media I was bereft of the true state of Nigeria.
Anybody who aspires to be the president of Nigeria must be probed about his plans for the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian government’s response by cancelling its advertorial contract with CNN over the February 8 news report, mirrors a dictatorial tendency hell-bent on having its way all the time.The government’s response reminds me of a statement a child of a Niger Deltan Governor made while we were talking: ‘It is nice there, things have improved.’ Yet articles written from the horses’ mouth indicating daily horror, stream out with uncomfortable ease and speed. They live in good houses while the teeming masses are left out to grass and watch their land despoiled. The Nigerian government thought that by shouting CNN down they would back down in the Nigerian impotent fashion.They are so used to bribing their way, coercing people to do their dirty ,repugnant jobs and with that mentality, supposed that a world media like CNN would cow at the prospect of withdrawing their bloodstained money.This act of government is a projection of societal decadence.
Till today, nothing has been said about the billions of petroleum trust funds stolen. Accusations and counteraccusations have been leveled by President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against each other, but it appears they are gone.
Gone also is the dream I and many Nigerians had at the birth of this democracy. Abacha’s death blossomed hope, clothed hope with a rich sense of esteem.We became hopeful that change would occur, that for once a Nigeria founded on justice, equity, amiability would emerge but alas it was a steamy dream .The realities of rampant crimes, road and air accidents, religious fanaticism have tightened their grip on Nigeria than ever before in its troubled history.Nigeria at no time, has had it so bad.The talk about debt relief and reforms are what they are:talk.They are all a snowball of a depraved conspiracy aimed at salvaging an image mired in helpless incompetence and corruption.
Frank Nweke said on CNN: ‘ We have evidence that some of these people were paid to put up a show, they were counseled on what to do…and we thought that this ran against the grain of every practice of responsible and objective news-reporting everywhere in the world.’
Frank Nweke like every historical mouthpiece of oppression must do the bidding of a repressive establishment to survive. I have since consoled myself to the fact that every evil in this world has apologists. I ran into a small book in a library detailing the involvement of banks in financing Apartheid South Africa against the majority black Africans who paid with their blood and time and the general lopsidedness of the system. There would always be people who profit from evil, who would do everything within their reach to stymie every breath of protest or liberty. It could also be an anticipatory desire of jumping on to the wagon of filthy gain.
The Niger Delta is too valuable a region to be rebuffed with useless words. Jeff’s exposition adds to a growing mountain of information on the Niger Delta and should be taken for its brutality.On many occasions I have been cautioned from publishing articles by advice. The quest to achieve ‘objectivity’ shouldn’t deflect pressing realities. I like writers who are too brutal to a fault, who would stick out their neck in the line of fire.
The effect of every government would always be felt by the citizenry, whether negatively or positively. After eight years of presiding over the highest increase in oil-wealth, this forty-six year old West African country has experienced - the verdict of leadership returns abysmal failure at all levels. People should begin thinking of developing their own land and quit expecting easy oil remittances. A thorough federal arrangement of resource control should be put in place.
Asked if he would go back to the Niger Delta region by Becky Anderson, the news broadcaster, Jeff Kionage, CNN correspondent said: ‘In a minute and I wouldn’t change a thing. The fact that we did expose those facts.The fact that we ran into these hostages, twenty-four philipino hostages that had been held for the better part of a month…I feared for those men when I saw them and all those masked men dancing around them…you just don’t know what is going to happen next. The good thing is this story ended well and they were released unharmed.’
Saturday, 24 February 2007
Sunday, 18 February 2007
Media Watchdog decries Death and Violence against Nigerian Journalists
Nigerian journalists are gripped by an unceasing cocktail of beatings, arrests, abusive trials, endemic corruption, public violence, according to a leading media body.
The Reporters Without Borders (RWB), in its 2007 annual report on Nigeria, lamented the repressive influence military figures, governors, ministers and businessmen have on the Nigerian media, who they say ‘enjoy complete impunity and have no respect for the right to news and information.’
‘Nigerian journalists yet again lived through an appalling year in 2006. They have had to face police brutality, arrests in certain cases for the least article that annoyed local authorities and corruption in the military, among politicians and businessmen,’ the France-based body said. ‘In a country in which power struggles are generally carried out against a backdrop of violence and corruption, journalists are the targets of choice.’
The fact-finding body cited the incident involving the detention of two Ebonyi-based journalists.
Imo Eze and Oluwole Elenyinmile of Ebonyi Voice, spent more than two months in prison from 14 June to 25 August, after carrying an article on 16 April, headlined, ‘Is Ebonyi A Failed State?’. They were charged by a court in Abakiliki, capital of Ebonyi state ‘with “conspiracy”, “sedition” and “defamation” of the governor, Sam Ominyi Egwu.’
The European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought winner, alleged that government used judicial procedures when journalists challenged President Olusegun Obasanjo.It cited the detention of Mike Gbenga Aruleba, presenter of a political TV programme on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Rotimi Durojaiye, a Daily Independent reporter, both of whom spent two days in prison.
The body alleged that on 14 May, SSS agents burst into its offices and took the tape of a documentary about failed attempts by previous Nigerian leaders to cling on to power.
The body wrote: ‘African Independent Television (AIT), the country’s oldest private channel, had been in the authorities’ sights since it broadcast national assembly debates live on the controversial issue of an amendment to the 1999 constitution, presented by supporters of President Obasanjo, which would have allowed, among other things, the president and the federal state governors to remain in power for four further years.’
It chronicled the death of Godwin Agbroko, chairman of the editorial board of ThisDay, who was found dead at the wheel of his car on 22 December, by a roadside in the Isolo district , just after he had left his office and Omololu Falobi, a former journalist.
A quote from Tobor Agbroko - Agbroko’s son, was given - who told the Nigerian press that : “He [Agbroko] had a telephone which was worth several thousand Nairas, which was left untouched. His cash, wrist watch and other things were also not touched.”
‘Godwin Agbroko, was a well-known journalist, who regularly had by-lined articles in ThisDay. A former editor of several newspapers under the military dictatorship (1993-1999), he continued to provide an ironic and uncompromising take on political life,’ Reporters Without Borders wrote.
Last year Omololu Falobi, a former journalist on the privately-owned daily The Punch, founder and executive director of Journalists Against AIDS(JAAIDS) was killed on 5 October around 10 pm, when he had just left the headquarters of the association, in the Ogba district of Lagos. He was rammed with several bullets at the wheel of his car.
The Reporters Without Borders have researchers who handle every continent. It was founded in 1985.It is registered in France as a non-profit organization.
Nigeria’s current media state, some say, is not far from Abacha’s media repression.
According to mediarightsagenda.org, on December 2 1997, a Benue State correspondent of TheNews magazine, Sunday Orinya, was arrested at the Benue Hotel, Makurdi, where he had gone for assignment, and taken to the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State, where he was stripped naked and severely beaten with a horse-whip and dumped in a hotel for hours. This ordeal was allegedly ordered by the State administration that was offended by a story he wrote. The guardian newspaper was shut down as well.
However critics say much has improved since 1999, when Nigeria embraced democracy.
Nigerian journalists are gripped by an unceasing cocktail of beatings, arrests, abusive trials, endemic corruption, public violence, according to a leading media body.
The Reporters Without Borders (RWB), in its 2007 annual report on Nigeria, lamented the repressive influence military figures, governors, ministers and businessmen have on the Nigerian media, who they say ‘enjoy complete impunity and have no respect for the right to news and information.’
‘Nigerian journalists yet again lived through an appalling year in 2006. They have had to face police brutality, arrests in certain cases for the least article that annoyed local authorities and corruption in the military, among politicians and businessmen,’ the France-based body said. ‘In a country in which power struggles are generally carried out against a backdrop of violence and corruption, journalists are the targets of choice.’
The fact-finding body cited the incident involving the detention of two Ebonyi-based journalists.
Imo Eze and Oluwole Elenyinmile of Ebonyi Voice, spent more than two months in prison from 14 June to 25 August, after carrying an article on 16 April, headlined, ‘Is Ebonyi A Failed State?’. They were charged by a court in Abakiliki, capital of Ebonyi state ‘with “conspiracy”, “sedition” and “defamation” of the governor, Sam Ominyi Egwu.’
The European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought winner, alleged that government used judicial procedures when journalists challenged President Olusegun Obasanjo.It cited the detention of Mike Gbenga Aruleba, presenter of a political TV programme on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Rotimi Durojaiye, a Daily Independent reporter, both of whom spent two days in prison.
The body alleged that on 14 May, SSS agents burst into its offices and took the tape of a documentary about failed attempts by previous Nigerian leaders to cling on to power.
The body wrote: ‘African Independent Television (AIT), the country’s oldest private channel, had been in the authorities’ sights since it broadcast national assembly debates live on the controversial issue of an amendment to the 1999 constitution, presented by supporters of President Obasanjo, which would have allowed, among other things, the president and the federal state governors to remain in power for four further years.’
It chronicled the death of Godwin Agbroko, chairman of the editorial board of ThisDay, who was found dead at the wheel of his car on 22 December, by a roadside in the Isolo district , just after he had left his office and Omololu Falobi, a former journalist.
A quote from Tobor Agbroko - Agbroko’s son, was given - who told the Nigerian press that : “He [Agbroko] had a telephone which was worth several thousand Nairas, which was left untouched. His cash, wrist watch and other things were also not touched.”
‘Godwin Agbroko, was a well-known journalist, who regularly had by-lined articles in ThisDay. A former editor of several newspapers under the military dictatorship (1993-1999), he continued to provide an ironic and uncompromising take on political life,’ Reporters Without Borders wrote.
Last year Omololu Falobi, a former journalist on the privately-owned daily The Punch, founder and executive director of Journalists Against AIDS(JAAIDS) was killed on 5 October around 10 pm, when he had just left the headquarters of the association, in the Ogba district of Lagos. He was rammed with several bullets at the wheel of his car.
The Reporters Without Borders have researchers who handle every continent. It was founded in 1985.It is registered in France as a non-profit organization.
Nigeria’s current media state, some say, is not far from Abacha’s media repression.
According to mediarightsagenda.org, on December 2 1997, a Benue State correspondent of TheNews magazine, Sunday Orinya, was arrested at the Benue Hotel, Makurdi, where he had gone for assignment, and taken to the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State, where he was stripped naked and severely beaten with a horse-whip and dumped in a hotel for hours. This ordeal was allegedly ordered by the State administration that was offended by a story he wrote. The guardian newspaper was shut down as well.
However critics say much has improved since 1999, when Nigeria embraced democracy.
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
‘Oyo State indigenes live in constant fear and anxiety’
*Atmosphere very tense - source
*Akala inflated contracts during 11-month stint in power - source
RESIDENTS of Oyo State live in perpetual fear and anxiety, according to a source who is an Oyo State indigene.
‘Oyo State is the most troublesome State in Nigeria, people wake up with fear and uncertainty,’ the source said. ‘We are witnessing the rape of a State by a godfather, Adedibu . The State assembly is divided into two factions.’
‘Nuhu Ribadu,EFFC Chairman, delivered a speech here at the University of Ibadan ,where he chided Adedibu for his shenanigans’ he said.
Oyo State has witnessed political turmoil .The Governor of the State, Alhaji Rasheed Ladoja, who is popular among the citizens of the State, was impeached by 18 members of the Oyo State House of Assembly last year, allegedly, at the instigation of Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, the godfather of the State.
Ladoja’s recent reinstatement has been met with joy by many Oyo State indigenes who see him as a man with ears to their needs. ‘Ladoja is popular with the people, civil servants,’ the source said. ‘He was impeached over cooked-up reasons because he didn’t cooperate with Adedibu.’
‘The cancer of godfatherism is ravaging the State,’ he said.
A recent clash by supporters of Alhaji Rasheed Ladoja and Deputy Governor and gubernatorial flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, led to the death of three people and at least twenty injured five days ago.
Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines were found in Adedibu’s residence, sparking fears of election rigging.
Akala’s 11-month stint in power is riddled with accusations of corruption. ‘He inflated contracts deliberately,’ the source revealed. ‘The NAPO hall contract – a hall of historical importance – was blown to N200 million.’
Since the advent of democracy in Africa’s largest and one of the world’s largest democracies, four State Governors have been impeached – Joshua Dariye of Plateau , D.S.P.Alamiesigha of Bayelsa, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti , and Peter Obi of Anambra – but of all of them, only two initiated and withstood court challenges and emerged victorious.
Four State Chief Judges responsible for unconstitutional impeachments were suspended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) - Justice Chuka Jideofor Okoli (Anambra), Justice Ya’u Dakwang (Plateau), Justice Kayode Bamishile (Ekiti), and Justice Jubril Aladejana – for the roles they played in the impeachments.
In may 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a state of emergency in Jos and last October , Ekiti State.
There are fears that a PDP controlled State House, will impeach Ladoja again, led by Adedibu, the godfather of the State, who controls Akala, the Deputy Governor and a number of Legislators in the State.
The Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna, might soon be impeached.
President Obasanjo has been criticized for his uncritical stance in the Oyo State crises and other States’ impeachments.
Jide Ayobolu writes: ‘What is noticeable is the fact that, the president is using the EFCC to undermine the governors by instigating the state legislators to impeach the state governors even through unconstitutional means, so that, he can continue to hang on to political power even beyond the time that is stipulated by the constitution.’
featurediarist@yahoo.com
Friday, 2 February 2007
Nassarrawa State: Our Collective Indictment
Nestled away from the madding crowd is a one of Nigeria’s most endowed state – Nassarrawa State. My early recollection of this idyllic state is one of great profundity .The beautiful landscape, the budding trading activities, the hardworking drive of the inhabitants, dug deep into me, a wonderful experience. Nassarrawa to me, was a virgin land next to Abuja, laying the foundations of an economically vibrant State – migrants flocked in from different parts of the country to take advantage of the professional and manual labors the emerging State created.
I went there a couple of times to see a funny friend of mine. I still remember the life, the passion to live, I saw in the eyes of the inhabitants. The people there prided themselves in the earth. The soil was endearing, rich, pleasing. It beckoned with pulsating ease and friendship to the visitor. I remember the day I went there with a vague description of the chubby fella ; I found someone instantly who directed me to his house.
I had known the environs of Nyaya and Karu very well – as sister towns to Maraba (a place in Nassarrawa State) that experienced great growth in commercial activities and estate constructions: virtually everything you needed for sustenance was found in great abundance, especially in Nyaya. Nyaya and Karu are places in Abuja. Nassarrawa shared with Jigawa State, a quality that appealed to me. There was a great sense of commaradie among the people. The quiet, gentle demeanor of the people was possessive .There was only one secret that eluded me: underneath the Nassarawan earth lied – and still does - tremendous wealth of solid minerals and raw materials.
The State is a haven of solid minerals, - Beryl (Emerald, Aquamarine and Heliodor), Sapphire, Tourmaline, Quartz, Amethyst Garnet Topaz, Zircon, Tantalite, Cassiterite, Columbite etc – all used variously to make human needs i.e. steel production and manufacturing space crafts.
Nassarrawa state has 13 local governments, rich in minerals and raw materials and is among the States created by the Abacha government on October 1 1996.The Governor is Abdullahi Adamu. Nassarrawa state is spread across 27,116.8 square kilometers and borders Abuja to the North-West, Plateau State to the North-East, Kaduna to the North, Benue ,South, Kogi State, South-West, Taraba, South East.It lies in the guinea Savannah and enjoys a moderate rainfall, making it an agricultural hub.
Nigeria sits on a volcanic spread of agro raw materials, metallic, non-industrial, fuel and gemstone minerals. Upon my findings of the rich intensity of natural resources in Nigeria, I rolled in painful astonishment.
In many ways, Nassarrawa State encapsulates our collective laziness, shame, weakness, impotence; pathological inability to transcend the basic stage of resources; our inability to diversify our source of income; attend to the pressing needs of oil-producing communities who have lidded years of frustration of oil exploration. Why can we not speed up exploring solid minerals in Nassarrawa and other equally ebullient States to broaden our revenue base? You would have thought production of these resources would be stretched to full tilt. We are too complacent to bulge, to kick off governments happy to retain a mono-economy. We allow rich earth lie idle.
Not quite long ago, I read that gold was found in five states in Nigeria, but I am yet to read anything pertaining to their development. While writing this article, I thought about ringing up government ministries to prospect their plans for solid mineral diversity, but I was restrained. If after almost eight years in government, oil accounts for most of our wealth, I have no confidence any initiative worth knowing, would emanate from their lips, at this stage.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development recently released a six page report stating that government would allow 100% foreign ownership for coal development as well as profit repatriation as part of efforts to revive the coal mining industry. The report states that the Anambra Basin has the largest and most economically viable coal deposit of over 1.5 million hectares. This is coming after almost eight years!
We know that countries like South Africa and Ghana derive a big chunk from their revenue from Gold.The answer is simple: we are lazy. I was speaking with a Niger Deltan, when he bared his heart on the frustration of Niger Deltans. The Nigerian constitution allocates only 13% derivation to oil-producing areas of the country. If I had my druthers, I would mandate 100% State resource control with a remission to the center. I enjoy hardwork; sweat makes eating great.
Within me lies a thought, perhaps fatalism, perhaps reality, that in the absence of oil, many would renege their commitment to nation building, that is why I am reluctant sometimes to indulge in any engagement. Nigerians sing sectional praises, leaders are judged on the basis of their ethnicity. Everything is ethicized - politics, religion, crime, you name it. I have seen people make statements that shocked the wits out of me. If a Governor appoints someone who is not from his ethnic group, he is praised ethnically. Why can’t we just rise above this and move on. Why? Why? I am sick to the back of my teeth!
In one of our national newspapers recently, some Governors spoke against the paltry 13% revenue accruing to oil-producing people! This shows the depth of disdain and it could also be a tactical move to checkmate any future agitation for revenue control.
South African gold makes up 50% of its export income - diamond also contributes. Namibia is a major producer of diamonds and Uranium.
Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your ears. Nigerians be honest with me. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips. A fate worse than death lurks in the corner if urgency is not kissed, if this funny farm is not cured. How many of you would be Nigerians if there was no oil?
Sources
Nassarawastate.org
rmrdc.gov.ng
Nestled away from the madding crowd is a one of Nigeria’s most endowed state – Nassarrawa State. My early recollection of this idyllic state is one of great profundity .The beautiful landscape, the budding trading activities, the hardworking drive of the inhabitants, dug deep into me, a wonderful experience. Nassarrawa to me, was a virgin land next to Abuja, laying the foundations of an economically vibrant State – migrants flocked in from different parts of the country to take advantage of the professional and manual labors the emerging State created.
I went there a couple of times to see a funny friend of mine. I still remember the life, the passion to live, I saw in the eyes of the inhabitants. The people there prided themselves in the earth. The soil was endearing, rich, pleasing. It beckoned with pulsating ease and friendship to the visitor. I remember the day I went there with a vague description of the chubby fella ; I found someone instantly who directed me to his house.
I had known the environs of Nyaya and Karu very well – as sister towns to Maraba (a place in Nassarrawa State) that experienced great growth in commercial activities and estate constructions: virtually everything you needed for sustenance was found in great abundance, especially in Nyaya. Nyaya and Karu are places in Abuja. Nassarrawa shared with Jigawa State, a quality that appealed to me. There was a great sense of commaradie among the people. The quiet, gentle demeanor of the people was possessive .There was only one secret that eluded me: underneath the Nassarawan earth lied – and still does - tremendous wealth of solid minerals and raw materials.
The State is a haven of solid minerals, - Beryl (Emerald, Aquamarine and Heliodor), Sapphire, Tourmaline, Quartz, Amethyst Garnet Topaz, Zircon, Tantalite, Cassiterite, Columbite etc – all used variously to make human needs i.e. steel production and manufacturing space crafts.
Nassarrawa state has 13 local governments, rich in minerals and raw materials and is among the States created by the Abacha government on October 1 1996.The Governor is Abdullahi Adamu. Nassarrawa state is spread across 27,116.8 square kilometers and borders Abuja to the North-West, Plateau State to the North-East, Kaduna to the North, Benue ,South, Kogi State, South-West, Taraba, South East.It lies in the guinea Savannah and enjoys a moderate rainfall, making it an agricultural hub.
Nigeria sits on a volcanic spread of agro raw materials, metallic, non-industrial, fuel and gemstone minerals. Upon my findings of the rich intensity of natural resources in Nigeria, I rolled in painful astonishment.
In many ways, Nassarrawa State encapsulates our collective laziness, shame, weakness, impotence; pathological inability to transcend the basic stage of resources; our inability to diversify our source of income; attend to the pressing needs of oil-producing communities who have lidded years of frustration of oil exploration. Why can we not speed up exploring solid minerals in Nassarrawa and other equally ebullient States to broaden our revenue base? You would have thought production of these resources would be stretched to full tilt. We are too complacent to bulge, to kick off governments happy to retain a mono-economy. We allow rich earth lie idle.
Not quite long ago, I read that gold was found in five states in Nigeria, but I am yet to read anything pertaining to their development. While writing this article, I thought about ringing up government ministries to prospect their plans for solid mineral diversity, but I was restrained. If after almost eight years in government, oil accounts for most of our wealth, I have no confidence any initiative worth knowing, would emanate from their lips, at this stage.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development recently released a six page report stating that government would allow 100% foreign ownership for coal development as well as profit repatriation as part of efforts to revive the coal mining industry. The report states that the Anambra Basin has the largest and most economically viable coal deposit of over 1.5 million hectares. This is coming after almost eight years!
We know that countries like South Africa and Ghana derive a big chunk from their revenue from Gold.The answer is simple: we are lazy. I was speaking with a Niger Deltan, when he bared his heart on the frustration of Niger Deltans. The Nigerian constitution allocates only 13% derivation to oil-producing areas of the country. If I had my druthers, I would mandate 100% State resource control with a remission to the center. I enjoy hardwork; sweat makes eating great.
Within me lies a thought, perhaps fatalism, perhaps reality, that in the absence of oil, many would renege their commitment to nation building, that is why I am reluctant sometimes to indulge in any engagement. Nigerians sing sectional praises, leaders are judged on the basis of their ethnicity. Everything is ethicized - politics, religion, crime, you name it. I have seen people make statements that shocked the wits out of me. If a Governor appoints someone who is not from his ethnic group, he is praised ethnically. Why can’t we just rise above this and move on. Why? Why? I am sick to the back of my teeth!
In one of our national newspapers recently, some Governors spoke against the paltry 13% revenue accruing to oil-producing people! This shows the depth of disdain and it could also be a tactical move to checkmate any future agitation for revenue control.
South African gold makes up 50% of its export income - diamond also contributes. Namibia is a major producer of diamonds and Uranium.
Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your ears. Nigerians be honest with me. I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips. A fate worse than death lurks in the corner if urgency is not kissed, if this funny farm is not cured. How many of you would be Nigerians if there was no oil?
Sources
Nassarawastate.org
rmrdc.gov.ng
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