…. Many strong voices support resumption
…Critics raise doubt, allege subterfuge
Last Tuesday, January 21, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu invited Ogoni leaders as well as Gov Sim Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, all numbering over 46, to seek a lasting peace formular in the oil-bearing community of Ogoni. This has aroused the hope of many Nigerians that the people would soon forget their troubles as well as boost chances of resumption of oil in the OML 11 (Bormu oil spec). There are critics who have, however, dismissed the parley as one of those presidential stunts aimed at hoodwinking the people.
Already, while strong voices from Ogoni have supported the invitation and the parley, some dissenting voices have also risen.
One of the invitees that seemed to gladden the hearts of many Ogoni persons is Bariname B. Fakae, former Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University), who is a professor of veterinary parasitology and renowned researcher. Fakae is also on the board of Kiisi Trust which is a body set up with global input to manage the $5m proceed from the late Ken Saro Wiwa compensation. He thus carried huge credibility and pedigree.
In an exclusive interview, Fakae threw huge light into the Presidential Invitation and hopes of an outcome.
On hopes, he said: “To be candid, the invitation was something the Ogoni people welcomed. To see a sitting president that showed such level of enthusiasm and the expression on his face reflecting his being part of the struggle those days, and the way he spoke without a speech, these communicated passion and seriousness.
“It showed that for once, Ogoni people came out to meet a President that appeared genuinely concerned. Looking at that, I think the trip was a good one and that the outcome will be one that would show the way forward even if you talk about oil exploration. We can say that something good will come out of this engagement.”
On whether there was a resolution at the meeting, Fakae, who turned around the then UST from many years of no graduation to the topmost state government-owned university in Nigeria and the foremost in online presence with computer-based test system, said: “We had discussions and what was very key was to have heard from the head of state committing the National security Adviser (NSA) and some others to drive the cause to come to something.”
He said the important outcome is that there was commitment to some confidence-building measures to show that this time, it will be different. “It was based on what we think the community would see happen and fast, too. So, since we were not sure what and what in the shopping list would be approved, one would need to wait and see. What is important is that the confidence-building measures would be released by the State House not too long from now.”
The delegates would not want to disclose what is contained in the shopping list Ogoni handed in to the Presidency, but some civil society voices had submitted their own mentioning N1trn fund, justice for Ogoni martyrs, fresh clean up, compensation to Ogoni people, etc?
Reacting, Fakae said CSOs make their own case based on how they were set up, but that it should not be compared with what the Ogoni leaders submitted there. “The Ogoni question is a very different thing from other things maybe because it was Ogoni that made a case for their environment. In the beginning, some people even said Ogoni was not sensible. If it now turns out this way, we believe other parts can make their own case.
“It is the Ogoni that would now be specific such as they did with the UNEP. Maybe some items may be same but I do not know the things they presented. We went as Ogoni people and did what we did. We hope this President can look at what we presented and do what he wants to do so we can move forward.”
On the usual division that dogs whatever the Ogoni want to do, the former vice chancellor said: “The stakeholder mapping (that led to the selection of those invited) appeared very good. It may have been done through the office of the NSA and I believe that they did background checks ahead.
“Because of that, you could see good representation: academics, professionals, the clergy, politicians, women, youth, etc. Beyond the number, the issue is about what we went to do. One of my uncles would not speak at meetings but would say, all he wanted to say had been said. So, those who did not go, if what they wanted to say has been said, they would know that they have been effectively represented. That does not mean that there can’t be division.
“On a lighter note, people think when you go to the presidency, you would carry money away. We didn’t see any money shared and the people now realized that it was a sacrificial representation. I was there, so I know what did not happen. It was about the ordeal of waiting at the airport and returning late, but satisfied that we have done this for our people.
Read also: Tinubu appoints Ribadu to lead Ogoni reconciliation
Speaking in same vein, an Ogoni information specialist and technocrat, Blessing Wikina, told BusinessDay that the invitation was good and timely, saying it is time for Ogoni to change style. He said they will not block oil forever, saying many Ogoni youths go to other places outside Ogoni to beg for jobs and would be scolded for chasing away oil business from there area only to come and struggle for slots elsewhere. “Ogoni has MOSOP, KAGOTE, now
MODOP (aka, Movement for Development of Ogoni People. Oil would resume in Ogoni.) He means that the new movement Ogoni needs at this moment is movement for development which is to be anchored on return of oil business in the areas.
Oil resumption not in sight – Fyneface
Fyneface Dumnamene, executive director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre – Nigeria (YEAC-Nigeria) speaking exclusively to BusinessDay, gave conditions he said needed to be met before any talk of oil resumption.
His words: “The efforts will succeed IF: the president addresses all the reasons that stopped oil in Ogoni in 1993; he addresses the current grievances of Ogoni people; he clears Ken Saro Wiwa of murder charge of 1995 and the other eight Ogoni people; he heals all the wounds of the Ogoni people; he addresses all issues in Ogoni Bill of Rights (which demands for autonomy for Ogoni, a term many governments understand as secession or independence, something beyond the power of any president); he concludes Clean up of Ogoni land (which may take many more years).
It is seen that resumption possibility is still very far. “What we see is putting the horse before the cart. It is not possible anytime soon. The effort is just to throw Ogoni into turmoil again.”
Extreme positions
There are persons and groups who openly tell newsmen oil business must never return to Ogoni and if possible be stopped in the Niger Delta, saying the region was better off without oil. What they however do is raise conditionalities and stay on them without compromise.
One group has just issued a statement reaffirming their own conditionalities.
The leader who gave his name as ‘Gen. Bibira
Commander, Alode Resistant Movement/Spokesman, Reformed Eleme Strike Force’, demanded for creation of a Bori or Kagote State.
He recalled that in 1993, Shell was declared persona non-grata in Eleme/Ogoni region due to environmental degradation and human rights abuses. “This led to the end of oil mining activities in Eleme/Ogoni areas and the eventual execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and nine other leaders of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People.
“Since then, Shell has made several attempts to resume full-scale oil production in Eleme/Ogoni region but failed. However, the recent meeting summoned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has generated significant interest.
“As Commander General of the Alode Resistant Movement and Spokesman for the Reformed Eleme Strike Force, I categorically state that the creation of Bori State or Kagote State is the primary condition for resuming oil exploration activities in the Eleme/Ogoni region. This proposed state would encompass all local government areas in the Rivers South/East senatorial district, including Khana, Andoni, Gokana, Oyigbo, Opobo/Nkoro, Tai, and Eleme LGAs.
“As the second-largest LGA in Rivers State in terms of revenue generation, the densely populated Eleme is significant and would not play a minority role in the proposed state. Eleme hosts two of Nigerian’s oil refineries- Port Harcourt Refineries, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals/Fertilizer companies, Notore, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, and over 1,000 multinational industries, earning it the nickname “the heart of the Nigerian economy.”
He also drew attention of the Federal Government to what he called the slow pace of work on the Eleme axis of the East/West Road, which he said has claimed many lives. “We urge the government to clear outstanding debts to enable RCC to speed up the work and compensate those affected by the demolition.”
With these various stands from the supportive to the suggestive and the vehemently objecting groups, the Tinubu administration can understand the dynamics in the Ogoni crisis and how to begin deeper consultations.
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