USING THE DOG MENTALITY TO X-RAY THE PREVALENT SITUATION IN IJAW NATION: THE CASE OF NDDC
INTRODUCTION
Ijaw which is the predominant tribe in the geographic Niger Delta region is blessed with abundant human and natural resources.
For the purposes of clarity and deepening of knowledge, there are two Niger Deltas: the natural (geographic) Niger Delta region which is made up of Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Bayelsa States. This is the group that is politically known as the South South geo-political zone.
Furthermore, the geographic Niger Delta is called Niger Delta not because of the abundant crude oil and gas, it is because of the environment, the low lying level where rivers, creeks, tributaries empty their mouths to the ocean. The geographic Niger Delta of Nigeria is the lowest part of the country. Among them, Bayelsa State is peculiar because it is the lowest part of the country, it is below sea level.
Ijaw is the fourth largest tribe in Nigeria according to the Sir Henry Willink Commission Report which was actually the first National Census that was carried out in the geographical expression known as Nigeria between 23rd November, 1957 and 12th June, 1958. The American Embassy in Nigeria 2012 Report reaffirmed Ijaw as the fourth largest ethnic tribe.
The second Niger Delta is often referred to as "Political Niger Delta" because it was created by President Olusegun Obasanjo at the inception of our contemporary democracy precisely in 2000 when he wanted to establish the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Obasanjo created the political Delta Delta because of the vehement opposition that he faced.
He decided to add Imo, Abia and Ondo States to the six(6) original geographic Niger Delta States in order to secure the support of the South East and South West to create the Commission.
So, by Obasanjo's definition, the Niger Delta is synonymous with crude oil and gas production as against the natural, environmental Delta like other Deltas: Mississippi, Okavango, Amazon, Mekong, Nile, Pearl River, Danube, etc.
Having made the above clarification, it is pertinent to briefly give an overview of the Dog Mentality which forms integral part of the Crux that revolves around the unacceptable fiddle roles played by Ijaws.
THE DOG MENTALITY
It is pertinent to situate the above in our rural communities and settings and very importantly relate it to the relationship between the Hunter and the Dogs used for hunting.
Usually when Hunters take Dogs to the bush for hunting, it is the Dogs that hunt down animals and either kill or catch them alive for the Hunters who in normal sense cannot chase and kill or catch any animal.
Ironically, when the same Hunters and Dogs return home and when it is time for enjoyment of the catch, the Hunter enjoys the flesh of the meat and throws the crumbs, insignificant bones to the Dog that rushes the fleshless bones as if it's entire life depends on the bones.
IJAW NATION AND THE NIGERIAN STATE
It is sad and quite unfortunate that Ijaw Nation has not realized it's significant and strategic importance to the existence of the Nigerian State particularly, it's economic contributions to survival of the country.
Over seventy five to eighty five percent of crude oil and gas which is the mainstay of Nigeria's economy are domiciled in Ijaw land in Bayelsa state which is the only homogenous Ijaw state and the areas (territories) occupied by Ijaws in Rivers, Ondo, Imo, Abia, Delta, Edo and Akwa Ibom States.
THERE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY NIGERIA IN THE FIRST PLACE WITHOUT IJAWS
It is an unarguable fact that Ijaws are the first people that had one-on-one encounter with the Europeans starting from the early 13th and 14th centuries as equal trades when the Portuguese adventurers arrived. No part of what is called Nigeria could be accessed by land because of the rivers and seas. So, the only access was through the sea routes. This was before the slave trade era and the formal colonization of Africa.
Ijaws are also the first Africans that led Resistance against the Europeans in Africa when the slave merchants wanted to bypass Ijaw kings and chiefs who hitherto served as middlemen during the various business transactions. Ijaw kings like King Fredrick William Koko of Nembe, Jaja of Opobo, King Ibanichuka of Okrika, King Amachree (Amakiri) of Kalabari, King Perekule of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Akalisuo alias Odidi Ediro of the ancient Engenni Kingdom and others revolted against the European trade monopoly.
Reprisal attack by the British on 29th January, 1895 against earlier attack on the headquarters of Royal Nigeria Company where many Britons and their African guards were killed including 43 British who were captured alive and later canibalized (eaten).
That reprisal which is described as a genocide resulted in the killing of over 2000 people women and children. That massacre which is called the infamous and inglorious Akassa Raid of 1895 got global condemnation. The British government on the other hand out of shame decided to revoke the trading license it issued the Royal Niger Company and in its place established a formal government.
Their inability to control Ijaws forced them to move the capital of the new British colony from Akassa to Calabar and later to Lagos and now the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
IJAWS AGAIN PLAYED THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ROLES IN THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT FOR NIGERIA'S INDEPENDENCE AND THE FORMATION OF THE FIRST NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Sir Herbert Macaulay and the latter Chief Ernest Sisei Ikoli; a foremost Journalist, an Ijaw man from Nembe in Bayelsa State were the first persons that started the Nationalist movement for Nigeria's independence. Chief Ikoli was the Mentor of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
After these two worthy leaders who died on 7th May, 1946 and 21st October, 1960 respectively, it was Ijaws again in this case High Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye and Chief (Sen) Dr. Melford Obiene Okilo CON that made it possible for the formation of the first National Government in Nigeria, after their facilitation of the political alliance between the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) which was founded by High Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye who was also the National Chairman and Chief Okilo as the only National Assembly member that won seat in the NDC with Northern Peoples Congress (NPC).
It was that alliance that led to the emergence of Sir Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa the Prime Minister.
BEFORE THE EYES OF IJAWS NDDC HAS SLIPPED OUT OF THEIR HANDS
Like the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) and Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Niger Delta Ministry are the direct sweats and bloods of Ijaw people, but before the naked eyes of Ijaw people, Akwa Ibom state has strategically hijacked both the NDDC and the Niger Delta Ministry.
Before the successful hijack, Ijaw people were in charge, but instead of maximizing the inherent opportunities, they were at each other's neck. They were fighting and antagonizing each other. While they were fighting, others were strategizing. You will never see any positive impacts of NDDC and Niger Delta Ministry in Ijaw land. Rather, there are abandoned projects everywhere as against other tribes and States that have very outstanding completed NDDC projects everywhere.
Ijaws in their braggadocio played into the hands of their enemies when they protested and requested for FORENSIC AUDIT of NDDC.
Beside NDDC massive projects that are everywhere in Akwa Ibom state, they have also employed their people everywhere in NDDC and Niger Delta Ministry. Akwa Ibom people alone make up over 70% of the workforce in NDDC and Niger Delta Ministry. Ijaws are occupying the backseat.
THE WAY FORWARD
1. Ijaws need to go back to the drawing board and restrategize especially in the area of maximizing opportunities because for now, they lack finishing.
They are likened to a footballer that play very well but lack scoring skills and ability.
2. Ijaws must have unity of purpose.
3. Ijaws should develop short term, medium term and long term strategic plans in all spheres.
4. Ijaws should stop the pull him down syndrome.
Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and Umanah O. Umanah are arch rivals but when Umanah was appointed Minister of Niger Delta Ministry that supervises NDDC, he deliberately refused to remove Barr. Akwa the Interim Administrator of NDDC that was appointed by Akpabio. If it was an Ijaw man, he would have announced the removal of his brother on the first day of resumption.
5. Ijaws should build synergy irrespective of political party differences.
6. Ijaws should assemble a Team of Think Tank that will think, strategize and formulate policies for the growth and development of the Ijaw Nation.
7. Ijaws should stop fighting Ijaws in positions of authorities. Other tribes do not do it except Ijaws who are always fighting each other.
~~~ Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli aka Mirror and Conscience of Society.
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