ONELGA: THE SLEEPING GIANT
BY:
Fidelis O. Ajukura
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
07031523329
12-08-2021
Onelga is one of the local government areas in Rivers State. The name 'Onelga' is derived from the three ethnic groups that make up the local government area namely; Ogba, Egbema and Ndoni.
Onelga, prior to its creation in 1991 by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration was under Ahoada local government area of the state. Onelga covers a total land mass of 626mi(1,621km²), it is located at the extreme North West of Rivers State. Onelga on its North East fringes share common boundary with Oguta and Ohaji/ Egbema local government area of Imo State. On the West flank, it is bounded by Sagbama/Yenagoa local government areas of Bayelsa State and Ndokwa East local government area of Delta State. On the South, it shares a common frontier with Ahoada East and Emohua local government areas of Rivers State. Onelga is made up of around 96 communities and 17 political wards. It has a total of 6 geopolitical and administrative units and they are as follows; Omoku,,Igburu, Egi, Usomini, Egbema and Ndoni.
The three ethnic groups that make up Onelga despite having lived close to each other for ages do not share common ancestry or history. Ogbas (and Ekpeye) trace their history to ancient Bini, Egbemas trace theirs to present day Imo State where their brothers reside and Ndonis to Ukwani in Delta State.
The headquarter of Onelga is Omoku. The first person to serve as its chairman is Chief Ibe Eresia Eke.
Onelga is blessed with fresh water bodies (rivers) that crisscross its length and breadth. Some of these rivers are; Orashi, Sombrero, Niger, Onita, Utu - Egwe, Nkisa etc. Onelga occupies a strategic position in Niger Delta in the sense that 1. It shares close link with some viable local government areas within and outside the State. 2. It is the highest producer of crude oil and natural gas in the country.
From time immemorial, the areas that make up the present day Onelga have been in the front line of Nigeria's crude oil production.
Oil exploration ( which is the process of sourcing and and drilling of discovered reservoir of oil for commercial purposes) in Ogba, Egbema,Ndoni local government area began in Eborcha in the early 60's. During this period, major oil companies like; Shell B.P., Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Total Elf Nigeria Limited got the opportunity to operate in the area.
The activities of these companies in recent times account for the daily production of several barrels of crude oil. NAOC and TotalElf Nigeria Limited which operate mainly in Ogba land account for the daily production quota of 100,000 and 133,000 barrels per day. This large quantity of crude oil places the entire local government area as the oil production zone with the highest crude oil deposit in Nigeria. This earned it the name "the land of black gold".

Oil exploration and exploitation, no doubt has brought development to the area but, this development is not in consonance with what is taken away or removed from the area. Ben - Fred Ohia and Henry Onyedibia in their book titled " Ogba Nation " captures it thus:
Ogba nation is the location of the first and
second highest oil producing communities
in the country. It is also the second place
where oil was struck in 1958 by Shell
Petroleum after the initial discovery in
Oloibiri in 1956. The highest is Omoku
which has over 79 oil wells and over 60
gas wells. The next is Obagi field which
is mined by Totalfinaelf with over 64 oil
wells and above 53 gas wells. But
regrettably, Ogba has no place in the
history of Nigeria. Governments come
and go without traces of their presence
for what is taken out of the area. The
result is environmental
degradation, poverty and
pollution which affects the air, water and
land. This has left the people in a
hopeless situation.

Onelga is host to two major gas recircling plants at Obiafu/Obrikom/Omoku and Obite Gas Plant as well as Egbema - Eborcha oil center, Idu Mini Gas Plant with a total average production capacity of 49% of gas to the Nigerian economy. Onelga is the largest on-shore oil and gas producing local government area in Rivers State and Nigeria on unit basis. Similarly, the local government is host to three (3) of the seven Nigerian Independent Power Plants (NIPP) which are; Gbarain-Ubie, Omoku and Egbema Power Plants. Also, Onelga has four (4) oil mining leases namely; the OML58(Total), OML 60 (SPDC), OML 61 (NAOC) and OML 20 (NPDC). According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) quarterly and annual information bulletin, Onelga has a total of 13 oil fields and 507 oil wells.
Regardless of the activities of vandals and other security challenges experienced recently in the area, Onelga still contributes about half of the crude oil and gas that sustains the Nigerian economy.
Onelga, despite being blessed with enormous natural resources has not been able to translate the blessing into concrete terms by improving the fortune or wellbeing of the people of the area. Public or critical infrastructure are still a far cry from home: many communities in the area are without good roads, pipe born water etc. Inland water ways do not exist even though they would have helped to connect one community to another with ease.
In surprise, many observers have wondered why the area, regardless of its gargantuan contribution to the wealth of the country has remained in such a poor and deplorable condition. The answer to this puzzle is in two fold 1. The selfish attitude of the ruling elite in the area and; 2. Government's insincerity in dealing with the people.
Many members of the elite class within the area are propelled by selfishness. Rather than pursuing agendas that will promote growth and development of the area, they are concerned in furthering their selfish interests - acquiring properties for themselves and members of their immediate families. Instead of leaving behind lasting legacies, they prefer acquiring gigantic and outsized properties that will fall into ruin as soon as they depart this corporeal world. Often times, in their unappeasable greed, they plunge their communities into unnecessary quarrels and disagreement with their divisive politics. These crop of leaders have nothing to offer the people except their selfish agendas: they cannot commit miniscule amounts of energy in engagements that will engender development in their communities. They are marked by contemptible timidity; their strength and bravery is at home - outside, they are weaklings.
Niger Delta which Onelga is a critical stakeholder, based on its contribution has a variety of pressure groups such as; Pan Niger Delta Forum ( PANDEF), Niger Delta Consultative Assembly ( NIDCA), Traditional Rulers of Oil and Minerals Communities ( TROPCOM), Host Communities (HOSTCOM) etc. Regrettably, in all of these groups, Onelga's voice is missing - it has become a sleeping giant of the region. Its elites do not have the courage to step out of their cocoon in the name of interfacing with others with the view of attracting genuine development to their people.
Of the three ethnic groups that constitute the local government area, Ogba is the most divided. Rather than come together to forge a common front, the elites or leaders, because of their selfish agendas engage in divisive and loathsome exchanges. For instance, an Egi, Igburu, Usomini and Omoku man looks at each other with suspicion and mistrust. This act of segregation which was nonexistent prior to the discovery of oil has fragmented Ogbaland and indeed the entire Onelga. As it is usually said, "a house divided against itself can never stand".
The division foisted on the good people of Onelga by their rapacious leaders has rendered the area inconsequential - they speak with discordant tones and voices. It was for this reason that the area was completely ignored when the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo visited the Niger Delta in 2020. The multinational oil and gas companies operating in the area having noticed this weakness, have continued to exploit it to the detriment of the people. Like animals, when the companies releases "feeds", the leaders such as; traditional rulers, youth executives, community development committee members, politicians etc begin to go for each others jugular or begin to contrive avaricious schemes that will help to shortchange the people. This attitude has remained the bane of Onelga's predicament. Only a handful of leaders in the area have demonstrated remarkable sincerity and doggedness in the fight to liberate their people from the shackles of oppression. Late professor Claude Ake features prominently in this regard. He took the grievances of his people to the world stage which attracted the attention of the home countries of the multinational oil and gas companies operating in the area. This move produced a lot of positive results that the people of Onelga are enjoying till today. Prominent among his achievements include the " tariff free electricity " that he secured for the people of the area. Ake has long ago passed away but his legacies are still standing strong - the people will continue to honour and celebrate him as their hero.
Unlike Ake, majority of the leaders in Onelga today are too materialistic in their thoughts and actions. This attitude has not only brought pain and misery to the people, it has relegated them to sordid obscurity. For instance, the traditional ruler of Ogbaland, Oba Chukwumela Nnam Obi 11 who passed away over a month ago will soon be buried but, surprisingly, many people within the state and the country in general are unaware that a "mighty tree" has fallen. If Oba Chukwumela who until his demise was one of the longest serving traditional rulers in the country could not be remembered, he should at least be remembered and honoured by the Nigerian State because of the contribution of his kingdom or territory - Ogbaland (in Onelga) by giving him a national burial. Although, the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has promised to give the late king a state burial but such gesture, to my mind is based mainly on the relationship that existed between him and the late king. 2. Government's insincerity in dealing with the people has contributed immensely to their frustration. It is without doubt that Onelga, despite its giant contribution to the nation's wealth is treated with less fervour by the government especially when compared with other oil producing communities. Eleme Petrochemical Industry now operated by Indorama receives 100% of its gas feed tuck from gas produced by Nigeria Agip Oil Company ( NAOC) in Onelga but no benefit goes to the local government area whereas Eleme, the host community of the company enjoys 10% equity shares of its benefit. Onelga produces over 50% of gas tuck to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas ( NLNG) in Bonny yet it has not benefited from the Federal government apart from the Federal College of Education (Technical ), Omoku that is considered as one of the poorest Colleges of Education in Nigeria in terms of infrastructural projects. The government has not shown sufficient sincerity and commitment to the way it treats the local government area. Onelga can't be condemned to "giving" alone, it deserves also to receive bountifully from the government.
The government must realize that the time has come for it to transform the area into a tourist center. In fact, to appreciate the contribution of Onelga towards the wealth and progress of this country, it has to be transmuted from a rural area status to a mega city status. Beside this, it has to be the hub of research and studies in oil and gas. In other words, government must build world class institutions of learning in Onelga where the knowledge to explore and exploit oil and gas etc will be acquired. In case one may begin to wonder why the government has to undertake this monumental responsibility? The answer is simple - government, like individuals is believed to be a moral agent, it is bestowed with the ability to distinguish between good and bad. For any government to gain acceptability and credence, it must be able to work with the right values e.g., giving every man, people or group their due. It is in this line of thinking that I implore the government ( both State and Federal) to intervene in the pitiable situation of Onelga: it cannot afford to be in obscurity and neglect when it is indeed the treasure base of the nation.
Long Live Onelga!
Long Live Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
12-08-2021

ONELGA is Igbo land

gidgiddy:
ONELGA is Igbo land

Behave

ajuksobi:
ONELGA: THE SLEEPING GIANT
BY:
Fidelis O. Ajukura
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
07031523329
12-08-2021
Onelga is one of the local government areas in Rivers State. The name 'Onelga' is derived from the three ethnic groups that make up the local government area namely; Ogba, Egbema and Ndoni.
Onelga, prior to its creation in 1991 by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration was under Ahoada local government area of the state. Onelga covers a total land mass of 626mi(1,621km²), it is located at the extreme North West of Rivers State. Onelga on its North East fringes share common boundary with Oguta and Ohaji/ Egbema local government area of Imo State. On the West flank, it is bounded by Sagbama/Yenagoa local government areas of Bayelsa State and Ndokwa East local government area of Delta State. On the South, it shares a common frontier with Ahoada East and Emohua local government areas of Rivers State. Onelga is made up of around 96 communities and 17 political wards. It has a total of 6 geopolitical and administrative units and they are as follows; Omoku,,Igburu, Egi, Usomini, Egbema and Ndoni.
The three ethnic groups that make up Onelga despite having lived close to each other for ages do not share common ancestry or history. Ogbas (and Ekpeye) trace their history to ancient Bini, Egbemas trace theirs to present day Imo State where their brothers reside and Ndonis to Ukwani in Delta State.
The headquarter of Onelga is Omoku. The first person to serve as its chairman is Chief Ibe Eresia Eke.
Onelga is blessed with fresh water bodies (rivers) that crisscross its length and breadth. Some of these rivers are; Orashi, Sombrero, Niger, Onita, Utu - Egwe, Nkisa etc. Onelga occupies a strategic position in Niger Delta in the sense that 1. It shares close link with some viable local government areas within and outside the State. 2. It is the highest producer of crude oil and natural gas in the country.
From time immemorial, the areas that make up the present day Onelga have been in the front line of Nigeria's crude oil production.
Oil exploration ( which is the process of sourcing and and drilling of discovered reservoir of oil for commercial purposes) in Ogba, Egbema,Ndoni local government area began in Eborcha in the early 60's. During this period, major oil companies like; Shell B.P., Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Total Elf Nigeria Limited got the opportunity to operate in the area.
The activities of these companies in recent times account for the daily production of several barrels of crude oil. NAOC and TotalElf Nigeria Limited which operate mainly in Ogba land account for the daily production quota of 100,000 and 133,000 barrels per day. This large quantity of crude oil places the entire local government area as the oil production zone with the highest crude oil deposit in Nigeria. This earned it the name "the land of black gold".

Oil exploration and exploitation, no doubt has brought development to the area but, this development is not in consonance with what is taken away or removed from the area. Ben - Fred Ohia and Henry Onyedibia in their book titled " Ogba Nation " captures it thus:
Ogba nation is the location of the first and
second highest oil producing communities
in the country. It is also the second place
where oil was struck in 1958 by Shell
Petroleum after the initial discovery in
Oloibiri in 1956. The highest is Omoku
which has over 79 oil wells and over 60
gas wells. The next is Obagi field which
is mined by Totalfinaelf with over 64 oil
wells and above 53 gas wells. But
regrettably, Ogba has no place in the
history of Nigeria. Governments come
and go without traces of their presence
for what is taken out of the area. The
result is environmental
degradation, poverty and
pollution which affects the air, water and
land. This has left the people in a
hopeless situation.

Onelga is host to two major gas recircling plants at Obiafu/Obrikom/Omoku and Obite Gas Plant as well as Egbema - Eborcha oil center, Idu Mini Gas Plant with a total average production capacity of 49% of gas to the Nigerian economy. Onelga is the largest on-shore oil and gas producing local government area in Rivers State and Nigeria on unit basis. Similarly, the local government is host to three (3) of the seven Nigerian Independent Power Plants (NIPP) which are; Gbarain-Ubie, Omoku and Egbema Power Plants. Also, Onelga has four (4) oil mining leases namely; the OML58(Total), OML 60 (SPDC), OML 61 (NAOC) and OML 20 (NPDC). According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) quarterly and annual information bulletin, Onelga has a total of 13 oil fields and 507 oil wells.
Regardless of the activities of vandals and other security challenges experienced recently in the area, Onelga still contributes about half of the crude oil and gas that sustains the Nigerian economy.
Onelga, despite being blessed with enormous natural resources has not been able to translate the blessing into concrete terms by improving the fortune or wellbeing of the people of the area. Public or critical infrastructure are still a far cry from home: many communities in the area are without good roads, pipe born water etc. Inland water ways do not exist even though they would have helped to connect one community to another with ease.
In surprise, many observers have wondered why the area, regardless of its gargantuan contribution to the wealth of the country has remained in such a poor and deplorable condition. The answer to this puzzle is in two fold 1. The selfish attitude of the ruling elite in the area and; 2. Government's insincerity in dealing with the people.
Many members of the elite class within the area are propelled by selfishness. Rather than pursuing agendas that will promote growth and development of the area, they are concerned in furthering their selfish interests - acquiring properties for themselves and members of their immediate families. Instead of leaving behind lasting legacies, they prefer acquiring gigantic and outsized properties that will fall into ruin as soon as they depart this corporeal world. Often times, in their unappeasable greed, they plunge their communities into unnecessary quarrels and disagreement with their divisive politics. These crop of leaders have nothing to offer the people except their selfish agendas: they cannot commit miniscule amounts of energy in engagements that will engender development in their communities. They are marked by contemptible timidity; their strength and bravery is at home - outside, they are weaklings.
Niger Delta which Onelga is a critical stakeholder, based on its contribution has a variety of pressure groups such as; Pan Niger Delta Forum ( PANDEF), Niger Delta Consultative Assembly ( NIDCA), Traditional Rulers of Oil and Minerals Communities ( TROPCOM), Host Communities (HOSTCOM) etc. Regrettably, in all of these groups, Onelga's voice is missing - it has become a sleeping giant of the region. Its elites do not have the courage to step out of their cocoon in the name of interfacing with others with the view of attracting genuine development to their people.
Of the three ethnic groups that constitute the local government area, Ogba is the most divided. Rather than come together to forge a common front, the elites or leaders, because of their selfish agendas engage in divisive and loathsome exchanges. For instance, an Egi, Igburu, Usomini and Omoku man looks at each other with suspicion and mistrust. This act of segregation which was nonexistent prior to the discovery of oil has fragmented Ogbaland and indeed the entire Onelga. As it is usually said, "a house divided against itself can never stand".
The division foisted on the good people of Onelga by their rapacious leaders has rendered the area inconsequential - they speak with discordant tones and voices. It was for this reason that the area was completely ignored when the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo visited the Niger Delta in 2020. The multinational oil and gas companies operating in the area having noticed this weakness, have continued to exploit it to the detriment of the people. Like animals, when the companies releases "feeds", the leaders such as; traditional rulers, youth executives, community development committee members, politicians etc begin to go for each others jugular or begin to contrive avaricious schemes that will help to shortchange the people. This attitude has remained the bane of Onelga's predicament. Only a handful of leaders in the area have demonstrated remarkable sincerity and doggedness in the fight to liberate their people from the shackles of oppression. Late professor Claude Ake features prominently in this regard. He took the grievances of his people to the world stage which attracted the attention of the home countries of the multinational oil and gas companies operating in the area. This move produced a lot of positive results that the people of Onelga are enjoying till today. Prominent among his achievements include the " tariff free electricity " that he secured for the people of the area. Ake has long ago passed away but his legacies are still standing strong - the people will continue to honour and celebrate him as their hero.
Unlike Ake, majority of the leaders in Onelga today are too materialistic in their thoughts and actions. This attitude has not only brought pain and misery to the people, it has relegated them to sordid obscurity. For instance, the traditional ruler of Ogbaland, Oba Chukwumela Nnam Obi 11 who passed away over a month ago will soon be buried but, surprisingly, many people within the state and the country in general are unaware that a "mighty tree" has fallen. If Oba Chukwumela who until his demise was one of the longest serving traditional rulers in the country could not be remembered, he should at least be remembered and honoured by the Nigerian State because of the contribution of his kingdom or territory - Ogbaland (in Onelga) by giving him a national burial. Although, the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has promised to give the late king a state burial but such gesture, to my mind is based mainly on the relationship that existed between him and the late king. 2. Government's insincerity in dealing with the people has contributed immensely to their frustration. It is without doubt that Onelga, despite its giant contribution to the nation's wealth is treated with less fervour by the government especially when compared with other oil producing communities. Eleme Petrochemical Industry now operated by Indorama receives 100% of its gas feed tuck from gas produced by Nigeria Agip Oil Company ( NAOC) in Onelga but no benefit goes to the local government area whereas Eleme, the host community of the company enjoys 10% equity shares of its benefit. Onelga produces over 50% of gas tuck to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas ( NLNG) in Bonny yet it has not benefited from the Federal government apart from the Federal College of Education (Technical ), Omoku that is considered as one of the poorest Colleges of Education in Nigeria in terms of infrastructural projects. The government has not shown sufficient sincerity and commitment to the way it treats the local government area. Onelga can't be condemned to "giving" alone, it deserves also to receive bountifully from the government.
The government must realize that the time has come for it to transform the area into a tourist center. In fact, to appreciate the contribution of Onelga towards the wealth and progress of this country, it has to be transmuted from a rural area status to a mega city status. Beside this, it has to be the hub of research and studies in oil and gas. In other words, government must build world class institutions of learning in Onelga where the knowledge to explore and exploit oil and gas etc will be acquired. In case one may begin to wonder why the government has to undertake this monumental responsibility? The answer is simple - government, like individuals is believed to be a moral agent, it is bestowed with the ability to distinguish between good and bad. For any government to gain acceptability and credence, it must be able to work with the right values e.g., giving every man, people or group their due. It is in this line of thinking that I implore the government ( both State and Federal) to intervene in the pitiable situation of Onelga: it cannot afford to be in obscurity and neglect when it is indeed the treasure base of the nation.
Long Live Onelga!
Long Live Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
12-08-2021

A lot of lies, but I will only address one. Gbarain-Ubie and Egbema Power Plants are not in ONELGA

When you allow an invader cut you off from your source, you're bound to be exploited. We all will see what face you'll use to return home.

Very apt write-up. This is my LGA, Omoku to be precise. Few days ago, I drove to Omoku from Ph and noticed the deplorable state the road especially the one coming from the Elele axis. I also noticed when i got into Omoku that the only arrangement in preparation for the funeral of the late Oba of Ogbaland (which commenced on Thursday; 12th August 2021) was pouring sand at the beginning of Palace road.

Your assertion about the leaders of the LGA is very correct. They are greedy, self-centered, and the pull-him-down syndrome even among brothers of thesame parent

When i said ONELGA has the largest onshore oil production, some will still wanna argue with me!

But for the Nigerian factor, ONELGA should have rivalled Dubai in development and sexiness!

ONELGA has failed.

The ineptitude of the leaders therein and the heavily fragmented society will be sort out by the Biafran wave.

ONELGA people's problem started immediately they denied their Igbo ancestry, especially the Ogba clan. As such, they ever denied having anything to do the Igbos. They even show their hatred to the Igbo people openly and unapologetically. Imagine some of their women telling their daughters not to marry from Igbo, their men don't sell properties (especially lands) to the Igbos but do sell to other tribes. We all know how enterprising Igbos are. They'd have helped and at least develop the area like they did in PH and it's Metropolis. Go to their major market, 98% of the biggest traders there are Igbos. Their newly built market block is almost occupied by Igbos. They do answer Igbo names, speaks an Igboid dialect, sing Igbo Christian songs, even some of their cultures and traditions are of Igbo origin. Now where's the Bini ancestry coming from? I think the generation of their fathers and forefathers that's probably their problem are passing away. In due course, the newest generation would become more civilized and rapport with Igbos. Then some of their problems would be solved. No sane Igbo entrepreneur would like to have permanent investment where he's regarded as a pariah!

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I want to correct an impression. Egbema is not an ethnic group but a subgroup of Igbo like ohafia,owerri, afokpo people etc. I don't think we have any identity crisis. Most part of egbema was carved into rivers state but when the late nzeobi of egbema had problem with rivers state most of the communities where brought back to IMO state. Today out of the 16 communities that make up the egbema people, 3 are in rivers state (onelga) while the remaining 13 are in IMO state(ohaji/egbema LGA). I was born in obiakpu(it is one of the egbema communities in ohaji/egbema and the spdc flow station is located there.) But I am actually from mmahu egbema (the LGA capital).