₦airaland Forum

---The Nigerian Media is Complacent and Complaisant

Insofar as Ogoni cleanup and restoration is concern, President Muhammadu Buhari could be seen by many who believe in God or Allah, as a God's or Allah’s sent. Although he deserves commendation for the steps he’s taken compared to the zero action of Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, his predecessor who is Ijaw and Niger deltan that should know better. Mr. Buhari has, however, taken these steps on wrong foundation, hence far from being a God’s or Allah’s sent. Like Jonathan, he ignored the core recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Program’s (UNEP) report to adopt Mr. Jonathan’s unwarranted Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP).

UNEP report on Ogoni recommends thus: “The government should establish an Ogoni Environmental Restoration Authority, to oversee implementation of this study’s recommendations. With a fixed initial lifespan of 10 years, the Authority will have a separate budget which will accrue from an Ogoniland Environmental Restoration Fund and its staff will largely be seconded from relevant national and state institutions," (UNEP report, 2011, page 15).

“The overall cost of the clean-up should not be an obstacle to its implementation. Therefore, an Environmental Restoration Fund for Ogoniland should be set up with an initial capital injection of USD 1 billion contributed by the oil industry and the Government, to be managed by the Authority, the Fund should be used only for activities concerning the environmental restoration of Ogoniland, including capacity building, skills transfer and conflict resolution, " (UNEP report, 2011, Page 15-16).

Details of recommendations can be found on page 12 to 17-Summary Recommendations, and page 204 to 221- full recommendations. Also see Ogoniland's Path to Sustainable Development, page 224 to 231. It's obvious the Nigerian government under Jonathan created HYPREP as a national oil spills and pollution intervention agency that unlawfully expand the scope of the Ogoni environmental assessment to other polluted areas of the country including Jonathan’s. Whereas the report and recommendations unequivocally targets Ogoni. Unfortunately, assuming they've seen and read the report neither Jonathan nor Buhari gave any rationale or explanation to Ogoni and the public for relegating some core provisions of the report that aims to localize the project for better management, efficiency and effective intervention.

Pres. Buhari’s action, like Jonathan’s is a negation, gross rejection and abuse of due process. When the due process is ignored for a wrong foundation that causes wrong starts as record shows with HYPREP, the tendency exist that the end-result would be wrong and detrimental to Ogonis and their environment. It’s clear the report didn’t in any form or shape suggest the expansion of work scope of the Ogoni Environmental Restoration Authority (OERA) nor did it suggest funds raised into the Ogoni Environmental Restoration Fund (OERF) can or should be used for work in other polluted areas of the country. As incontrovertible as the UNEP recommendations, ignoring these recommendations to create HYPREP points to the direction of insincerity and lack of commitment on the part of the government, especially Buhari. It also suffices the lack of commitment of $hell, National National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other oil companies which happens to be Co-polluters, and collaborated with Jonathan to create HYPREP using the former Petroleum Minister and former $hell’s management staff, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke. The government may also have plans to use the name of Ogoni cleanup to raise funds for non-Ogoni projects that may create room for corruption including embezzlement which are Nigeria’s trademark.

Considering that Nigeria hasn’t done such project before and pollution in Ogoni, other places have been there for decades, it lacks the capacity to start and conclude Ogoni cleanup and restoration. HYPREP will be confusing with too many communities and interest groups including the oil companies. These companies caused the pollution and degradation. They covered things up for more than 40 years and sometimes bribed officials of the Nigerian Petroleum Ministry to jettison rules and regulations. HYPREP as intended will delay Ogoni project if it starts at all. Of course the report is entering its 6th year since released on August 4, 2011. No work relating to actual cleanup nor establishment of recommended authority and fund has started, but the creation of HYPREP and it Governing Council and Board of Trustees against the provisions of the report’s recommendations.

The so-called reformed HYPREP’s gazette hasn’t been made public even though some Ogonis who were part of negotiations and alleged reform may have seen the original. This gazette was also said to have been altered as common with most things handled by the Nigerian government, $hell and NNPC. Meanwhile, the rules of honesty, transparency and accountability demands that governments and their agencies, all public office holders including Buhari disclose information regarding public interest projects or activities in an honest, accurate and timely manner. Buhari and his team haven’t met this honesty and transparency test, yet they claim commitment to implementing the UNEP recommendations while relegating some of the core elements. The president also allow $hell, NNPC and others to be judges in their own criminal case. This is unprecedented, and negatively so when considering conflict of interest. The aims and objectives of these companies to save cost and deliver poor services if work start at all, or cause confusion, delay project until a president like Jonathan come on board after Buhari or not start at all . Their action indicates they aren't willing to accept full responsibility for Ogoni pollution and those of other communities in the country.

Although the Center for Excellence and Soil testing plant recommended to be built in Ogoni as cleanup related tools that will also cause employment, scholarly work and visit, tourism and more may still come under current HYPREP. Ignoring the Restoration Authority and Fund as recommended to aid unabated focus on Ogoni for best result, to create HYPREP in order to expanding and sharing Ogoni opportunity calls for concern and points to sinister motives not limited to deliberate uncanny bureaucracy that will lead to unnecessary delays and possible stalling of project at the rudimentary level.

Sadly, the Nigerian Media seems to have ignored the content of the report and recommendations as well, They’ve gone for the cheap talking points the government and $hell uses. In some cases, certain media outlets don’t even get the facts of the report’s recommendations right. Some have reported that the recommended $1 billion initial deposit for commencement is for the life of the project while others have said the money is actually to commence work but also for an expanded work from Ogoni to other polluted communities. Others merely report exactly what the government or president says without attempting to base their reporting on the facts or content of the report they reference. Some reporters have also claimed the formation of HYPREP, its Governing Council and Board of Trustees are based on the report’s recommendations whereas such formation contravenes the provision and spirit of the report. It isn’t too late for the media to act properly by focusing on these recommendations and holding government and companies accountable.

It’s obvious the Nigerian government hasn’t and can’t hold these companies accountable due to their perceived and real importance-their influence. Instead these companies influence government policies, dictate actions and imposed themselves as with HYPREP and their inclusion. Therefore, giving the number of years Ogoni pollution has lasted, about 1970 to recent spills, the sensitive nature of the environment and history of the oil companies and Nigerian government. It’s either Buhari or any other president after him will implement the full extent or content of UNEP report or not implement it at all.

Like the report, the polluter pays doctrine is clear about the role to pay for pollution caused by companies or groups. These companies must not be part of the management council and board when Ogoni Environmental Restoration Authority and Fund are established, to execute their financial responsibility with other tasks specified in the report’s recommendations for the oil industry. HYPREP can be a national intervention agency which shall partner with Ogoni Environmental Restoration Authority, but not the sole front since its functions cover all the polluted communities against the provisions of the UNEP report.

The Joint Venture which include government and these companies can still make arrangements to pay for this project without being represented in the management team of the project to manipulate things in their favor. Of course, they’d have been prosecuted for the deliberate and reckless pollution and cover-up, in addition to paying for the project. They had 50 years to represent themselves with government officials to resolve the pollution, not cause it by adhering to rules and regulations or intervened properly. They took things for granted hence failed.

Lastly, the Ogoni cleanup and restoration will only succeed where the government respects the UNEP report and recommendations to apply them strictly and accordingly. It will work by making the Ogoni Environmental Restoration Authority and Fund independent without the oil companies. UNEP, other independent experts and few government representatives working with Ogonis for intended result are necessary for success. UNEP report and recommendations or Ogoni cleanup project must be granted legal backing by lawmakers to earn its place in the annual budget. Clear and honest communication with timely and strategic delivery will add to respect for due and ethical process based on UNEP recommendation and independence of OERA and OERF to rock the best result anticipated.

The media role must be ethically executed…they must join Ogonis, civil society groups to hold government and oil companies accountable by presenting to them the full extent of UNEP recommendations and demand holistic implementation. HYPREP has failed as is and will stay a failure except disbanded, made to focus on work in other polluted areas or be converted to being the Ogoni Environmental Restoration Authority, and project localized as intended for effective management, efficient project execution, even after Buhari leaves office.

The theater was Bodo, Ogoni. And drama performed by the Nigerian government with $hell in attendance. Date was June 2, 2016, after the initial plan announced for the first quarter of the year failed. Yes, it’s the flag-off! They’re flagging-off the purported implementation of UNEP report otherwise known as Ogoni clean-up or land and people's restoration.

As I suspected despite the iota of trust and hope, Buhari through the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo and his team, including $hell Oil and other polluting companies took the world to this theater. As the theatrics began they surprised the world with this statement: We’ve come to fulfill our campaign promise aimed at giving succor to the people. Regrettably, we don't have the money to start work thus weren't honest, not serious so not ready to implement the project.

They knew they weren’t honest nor ready but came for the flag-off anyway. Not only did they told the anticipating world that they don't have needed money which is One Billion dollars initial start-up fund recommended in the report for effective start-up that will show commitment and seriousness. They also told the world that the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) Governing Council which will be saddled with the coordination, overseeing of the project and other bodies weren't formed nor was (is) there any company with credibility and competence that signed any document to start the clean-up.

The flag-off was like a youngster or supposed to be a rich adult who announced he's buying one of the most expensive and long lasting cars ever made so invited his friends and family to show up at the car lot. When they arrived he took them to the car and told them he currently has no money to buy it; no parking garage or space of any kind for the car if bought on credit. To say the friends and family were disappointed will be an understatement...they're devastated and trust lost!

In the Ogoni situation, the happiness and fanfare was near epic, yet the people were disappointed and consoled by the presence of the vice president who performed the flag-off but forgot his team’s toolbox. As it stands Ogonis seems devastated due to the uncertainty surrounding this clean-up.
Meanwhile, this singular act of not being able or unwilling to raise recommended One Billion dollars to demonstrate commitment is insulting to the intelligence, and hurting to the sensibility of the Ogoni people, their friends and supporters. How on earth can Nigeria and $hell, others drill oil and made billions of dollars and still making more billions from high pressure pipelines conveying oil to Bonny terminals for export, but can't contribute One Billion to start cleaning the environment they recklessly polluted and degraded? This is unheard of, nut it happened only in Nigeria!

Is this not sheer callousness, wickedness, unwarranted hatred and a calculated attempt to pacify and deceive Ogonis and the world so the victims of this degradation will get sicker and stay sicker and die faster since the current deaths happen gradually? Is this not the attempted or actual genocide Saro-Wiwa exposed as a result of this degradation and he’s killed alongside others by Nigeria and $hell?

Although Buhari and his team can be commended for always engaging the Ogoni people in respect of this clean-up as a way of attempting to deliver on his campaign promise. The notion by the Minister of Environment, Amina J. Mohammed and VP Osinbajo, other officials that because this flag-off was done Buhari has fulfilled his campaign promise contradicts reality. Such claim is outrageously wrong. You can't flag-off this important project that may take up to 25 or more years and considered the largest clean-up the world has ever seen, without start-up money and coordinating, management team. Even when the project starts in earnest, starting isn’t fulfillment of promise. Fulfillment is when money is ready and work starts; more money and everything put in place for the successful completion of the project even when this administration is no longer in charge.

If One Billion can't be sourced to start this work after six years the UNEP report was released, and over fifty years of pollution, what is the guarantee that several other billions, say about One hundred or more needed to clean, restore the land and people alongside sustainable development will be sourced for efficient and effective implementation of UNEP report? This clean-up also has no legislative backing hence there is no annual budgetary allocation. Assuming Buhari and his team, $hell were honest and serious. What will happen when Buhari regime goes away; where is the legislative framework or law that will compel successive regimes to complete the project? Such law is needed.

Having said the above, Buhari, his team, $hell, other polluters and Nigeria in general still have a chance to prove me and those similarly situated wrong. This failed flag-off could be used as a galvanizing tool. It exposes the truth and brought shame to Nigeria, $hell and other polluters. Consequently, they could put their heads together in honesty; setup the Governing Council and streamlined teams of coordinating authorities of HYPREP and experts with credible pedigrees. Then raise recommended money and direct specifically toward this project that is UNEP-Ogoni-specific; gazette the project into law and start work while doors for donation shall be open. As I’ve argued previously, the government can also handover the project to UNEP and provide the money since Nigeria and $hell haven’t handled and lacks the equipment or capacity to successfully manage such multidisciplinary work.

If the project will succeed the government must understand that UNEP report didn't say the start-up fund of One Billion dollars is for Ogoni and other polluted communities of Niger delta. It said it's for Ogoni clean-up, though the experience in Ogoni can be useful to cleaning and restoring other areas. These areas haven’t been assessed for pollution impacts on the socioeconomic and health of the citizens.

This means the government must be careful not to allow overzealous politicians and rulers influence or deceive her into using money raised for Ogoni to clean-up other places. Not only will such diversion distract work in Ogoni, it will also not work for other communities especially their environment. This is because the degree of damage to land, air, water and people will not be known except impact assessment is conducted. It’s common knowledge that giving a prescription drug meant for one patient who has been diagnosed with a sickness to another who hasn’t been diagnosed is medically and ethically wrong. This could cause serious side-effects or complications and may lead to death. Confusing this Ogoni-specific UNEP report and clean-up with other areas will also make fund-raising efforts slow and weak. Yet the pollution and degradation in other places are real hence acknowledged.

Therefore care must be taken because delay caused by involving many groups and lack of money is dangerous. Government should think right and do right by Ogonis and other Niger deltans whose land are polluted, but on merit and not based upon the UNEP-Ogoni-specific report and recommendations. The key and way forward is adhering to internationally acceptable best practice. Government, $hell and other stakeholders including Ogonis must be open, honest in their partnership. They must follow a credible, just, fair and effective real-time service delivery process irrespective of the flag-off that seems to be more of a cover-up theatrical and not an honest launch of the clean-up which should have seen the announcement of ready start-up money, coordinating and management bodies, possible environmental pollution remediation and restoration company.

Recent reports in the media, oral accounts and evidence of dead bodies on the streets and compounds indicate the Nigerian Military unlawfully invaded Ogoni on February 22 and 23 respectively. Although it’s said Mr. Solomon Ndigbara, who is an ex-militant, was the target of the military. There was no crisis or conflict in Ogoni at the time of the invasion, which killed more than 40 innocent Ogonis and non-Ogonis including Igbo traders. Many victims were critically injured in the mayhem.

Considering the spread of the unprovoked attacks and casualties there is urgent need for the federal government/Muhammadu Buhari to set up an Independent Judicial Inquiry Commission (IJIC) to look into these killings. All those indicted should be brought to bear the brunt of the law. The commission’s work, when formed should be able to investigate and find out what really happened and who is behind the invasion. Buhari should without delay order the formation of this commission the same way he thoughtfully ordered investigation into the Benue killings in a press release published on Premium Times Online of Feb. 28, 2016.

It’s important to note that Mr. Ndigbara and some Ogonis are accusing Sen. Magnus Abe, Barry Mpigi and other officials of All Progressives Congress of Nigeria (APC), of the deadly operation. Meanwhile Abe has denied having any knowledge, though some have said he posited prior to the invasion that APC will win the forthcoming National Assembly election re-run, which he’s a candidate by any means. It’s also reported that he, Mpigi and APC stalwarts in Rivers State, especially in Ogoni sponsored thugs prior to the invasion to threaten and terrorize as a sign of what may be coming. A South-South (Port-Harcourt zone) Civil Liberty Organization’s report published on Ogoninews.com on Feb. 25, states that Mr. Mpigi allegedly disguised in military uniform leading the killing team which ransacked Ogoni.

Mr. Nyesom Wike, current Governor of Rivers State and Chief Security Officer is as well accused by some who believe he may have hand in the invasion considering the fact that he’s in charge of security and military. The argument is that he can’t claim or pretend not to know how the military came into Ogoni with deadly government equipment such as armor tanks and other sophisticated guns and ammunition.

Wike, who according to media reports said he wasn’t aware of any plans to invade Ogoni nor gave any order to the military, and claimed politicians are trying to create security to justify a state of emergency in the state has called on Ogonis who deserted their homes in the wake of the attacks to come back. He requested that Ogonis cooperate with the military presently occupying Ogoni because he brought them there for their security and safety. The question then is what’s the difference between the military which illegally invaded and killed Ogonis and the one he currently stationed in the area; is he alleging that the military which killed came from Abuja or elsewhere while the one he sent came from Rivers State under his command?

Meanwhile, giving the conflicting accounts and fact that Abe, Mpigi and the governor denied having any knowledge of the massacre, the fact that the federal government/Buhari (and his party-APC) hasn’t condemned the military action nor ordered investigation as he did in the Benue Killings cited above. Setting up an unbiased and incorruptible truth commission in the form of an Independent Judicial Inquiry Commission (IJIC) will be the best measure aimed at finding and knowing the truth, then seek means to prevent further occurrence.

This commission will investigate; invite the Rivers State military and public for interview. It will seek evidence (look for witnesses); question those mentioned: Messrs. Abe, Mpigi and Wike. Any other person (s) that may have been seen during the operation and suspected to be involved, or anyone who may have seen something that may point to the direction of the operators and planners should be invited. Anyone willing to volunteer information that may help find those with the knowledge or played any role in the massacre should be invited for questioning and direction. This should be a collaborative and honest (not witch-hunting) task.

These dastard yet cowardice acts must not have been the madness of the military alone without someone in power who has the authority or influence capable of seeking, ordering or granting such military action. If it isn’t the handiwork of the military or APC officials, including Abe and Mpigi, or the state government, the commission should be able to investigate without sparing anything nor protecting any individual or institution no matter how highly placed or valued.

In addition, if the federal government isn’t behind this unlawful and unprovoked, barbaric invasion, and Buhari isn’t trying to signal Ogonis that they must listen to and accept whatever his government (APC) and $hell shall impose during the proposed cleanup of oil-based degradation caused deliberately by the government and oil companies. Then he must wade in immediately; reassure the people of Ogoni like he did the people of Benue; work with the state authorities, where the state isn’t the mastermind, and immediately withdraw all military presence, set up recommended inquiry commission and resolve this unsavory episode.

As part of the solution, the federal and state government should send formal condolence messages to Ogoni people, particularly the bereaved families. Adequate compensation should be paid to the families, estate of those killed to help assuage their suffering even though money can’t bring back the dead. There is urgent need for government to set up educational trust fund to sponsor children of the deceased (those who have children) through school and other training.

MOSOP/Ogonis have a duty to cooperate in making sure government measures in bringing pragmatic and feasible solutions hence peace are achieved in a timely manner. MOSOP should as a matter of duty conduct its own independent and verifiable investigation. It should pressure Buhari and his government to set up recommended commission and work with the government and other agencies to prosecute those found wanting and indicted (military officers included) for their roles in the massacre.

Alternatively, where the government refused to act and play the usual “I don’t care” game, MOSOP/Ogonis should be prepared to mobilize, organize and duly file law suits against Rivers State and federal government, the military, with Wike and Buhari/APC as Co-defendants. Ogonis can’t continue to watch, play safe while Nigeria and its successive government at state and federal levels disrespect, ignore meaningful development and capacity building for community empowerment, degrade Ogoni environment and refused to restore it as promised, then physically kill innocent citizens. It’s time Ogonis take decisive action for their survival.

As Ogonis and the world commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the unjust, cruel State and Corporate hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Eight others who lost their lives because they campaigned and stood up against the deliberate pollution of Ogoni and dehumanization of the people by the Federal government of Nigeria and Shell. Let it be known that four years after the United Nations Environmental Program released its environmental findings (UNEP report) on decades of oil-based degradation, the government and Shell have refused to implement the report hence forced Ogonis to further live in pollution and contamination, which makes the air dangerous and drinking, cooking, bathing water deadly.

This is genocide considering that, the land and air, water have been destroyed and people are dying slowly and steadily from pollution. It's a crime carefully planned and executed by Shell and successive Nigerian government Saro-Wiwa exposed and he's killed alongside others. Therefore, as we commemorate November 10th, 2015, there is the need for the international community to reset its change buttons and focus more attention on Nigeria and Shell. It should help Ogoni pressure and cause these powerful yet susceptible entities to honestly implement the UNEP report to save the Ogoni people. This is the most urgent and moral thing to do for peaceful conflict resolution and management.

Intervening now and diplomatically to save lives and Ogoni land is better than waiting for a deeper conflict then ponder about crisis interception and humanitarian aid. Diplomatic security can be made strong, bold and attractive hence alternative to crisis-time diplomacy by honestly stepping up preventive and peaceful measures of resolving such conflicts as Ogoni's.

Meanwhile, the world, especially Ogonis were in what could be called shocking relief when Pres. Muhammadu Buhari announced in August this year that he's approved several measures aimed at fast-tracking the clean-up and restoration of decades of environmental degradation caused by the Nigerian government's ignorance and greed, Shell Oil's, other oil companies recklessness, corrupt practices and greed.

The government went further to announce a ten million dollars ($10 million) mobilization fund for the take-off of the presumably reformed Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP), which has a Board of Trustees, Project Management unit and Governing Council, all of which members shall be appointed though no one seems to have been appointed to public knowledge four months later. Information reaching the public indicates Shell and other special interest groups and politicians have hijacked the new gazette discussed and agreed upon by stakeholders including Ogonis before Buhari made the above announcement.

They seems to have influenced Buhari and his administration hence altering the draft gazette to suit their purposes which include a plan to not start the work or start it with little or no oversight to rubbish best practice and do a cheap and non-quality work they know Ogoni and the world will reject. They're reported to have altered some important components of the original gazette in ways they can assert influence hence taking away the control of experts of UNEP and other relevant bodies with the competence needed to bringing about best quality work. The best approach is making HYPREP Ogoni-specific in the first ten years of the project as UNEP report is Ogoni-specific and then may extend to other Niger delta communities having registered some success and can replicate its experience.

Also in the making is a framework to not making HYPREP tailor its attention and work on Ogoni for quality and best outcome against focusing on all Niger delta pollution discovery and restoration contrary to the UNEP report which HYPREP creation is based upon hence making the clean-up a regional project by forcing space for certain people from Niger delta region who are not Ogonis to be involved in the governing and otherwise council-units of HYPREP. As mentioned in other write-ups, the UNEP report/project is an Ogoni project like many localized projects across the country, despite the international status of Ogoni clean-up due to the nature of the struggle for human rights respect and protection and environmental justice.

Such maneuvers or attempts if not stopped immediately indicates neither the government nor Shell and other oil companies are willing to honestly clean and restore Ogoni land and people. These acts of politicization, regionalization and alteration will collapse the clean-up project and not bring about peaceful resolution of the Ogoni-Nigeria-Shell conflict. Ogoni and its people deserves respect, justice, peace and development for all they've given to Nigeria, Shell and others. These government-Shell actions will not bring peace to Ogoni nor Niger delta and Nigeria in general.

In addition, although Buhari reportedly approved a Board of Trustees for HYPREP Trust Fund instead of Ogoni Environmental Restoration Fund recommended by United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP report), what has gone missing and neither the president nor his cabinet members are addressing is the recommended take-off money of one billion dollars ($1 billion) meant to be contributed by Shell Oil and other polluters alongside the Federal government which alongside its national oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) also named as a polluter permitted the pollution as a joint venture partner. The said start-up fund has also attracted regional and national political gladiators or jobbers to a projected monetary and greed feast yet it hasn't been sourced.

It should be noted that the referenced take-off money is very important to the seriousness, honesty and agreement of the polluters to start this project with a well laid-out plan and strategy to complete it. If the Nigerian government can't mobilize other polluters to come together and raise this money in addition to its contribution, it's clear neither the government, which benefit so much from oil exploitation and production in Ogoni nor other polluters are serious, honest and willing to restore Ogoni land to save the population.
There has to be honest measures indicating commitment to the clean-up and full implementation of the UNEP report, which also has sustainable development package. Recently, however, Ogonis and the rest of the world have seen the recent position of Shell claiming it's completed most of the items recommended by this report thus demanding that Ogonis play their part by stopping oil theft and illegal refining; a trade the company has been accused of masterminding using the Nigerian Armed Forces and other special and foreign syndicates.

It's clear the UNEP report didn't in any way or form suggest that Shell and other polluters can or should embark on clean-up and restoration separately other than granting a guideline to helping safety and environmental protection during future oil prospecting and production. Shell's usual unprovoked actions and attempts to smear Ogonis already burning and dying from its recklessness and greed doesn't show a company which is serious and honest nor shows repentance, but known chauvinism, callous and heartlessness. This unnecessary blame game, which aims to cover the truth isn't good for any business, especially a company which has been finding it difficult to persuade and relate with or to the Ogoni people and other oil producing communities in the country.

Shell has a duty to get serious, honest and stop the games. The Federal government under Buhari also has a duty to get serious, honest and stop the games, stop allowing Shell manipulate and control her, by sticking to the UNEP report and making it an Ogoni business, which lessons could be learned from planning and execution for transfer to other Niger delta communities. Ogoni clean-up and restoration is Ogoni-specific. It's a project that will restore the rivers, creeks, land, trees and other plants; it will probably make fresh and fertile the soil and create conducive environment habitable for fishes, seafood, other aquatics and land animals most of which have been killed, displaced or extinct by oil production and pollution. It's a project that should restore Ogonis with sustainable development and other compensatory deals to alter decades of pain, hardship and death that makes oil a curse than blessing to the people.

This is a project that will be a model for other oil producing communities if started and completed by being placed in experts' hands, hence devoid of politicization, regionalization, corruption, greed and other vices. This project is a make or break item; it's life or death. Like a state for Ogoni, it's that which will determine if Ogonis will seek their own country and care for themselves and environment. This will be where Nigeria and its government repeatedly shows no care and displays lack of ability to respect the people, protect them, their land as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution and international covenants; and guarantee their rights as equal stakeholders, or stay in Nigeria based upon the respect accorded them-human rights ceded and justice served. Therefore, politicians, scammers, bad leaders and skewed opinion mongers should take note and back-off.

In closing, the fact remains that the emergency measures of UNEP report on Ogoni pollution and contamination haven't been put in place and Ogonis have no alternative means of drinking and cooking, bathing and washing water. The land is still dying and rivers, creeks contaminated as a result of this pollution and devastation, which have destroyed the people's sources of livelihood that is farming, fishing and their sales thereof. What is needed in all honesty is seriousness...honesty and honesty; action, action and more action the people/world can see and believe, not empty announcements, maneuvers and unacceptable alterations.

The government, Shell, other polluters and all stakeholders including Ogonis should step up their acts and get on board in all so that this lifesaving project that will stand Nigeria out and grant the oil companies respect and credibility will commence its mission via a thoroughly designed and planned route with recommended take-off money and subsequent funding toward a successful end that will come when current administration is gone. As Ogonis and the world commemorate and celebrate Saro-Wiwa and others, let this November 10th become the turning point for Ogoni success as Nigerian government and Shell concede to acting responsibly for the greater good!




Ben Ikari, is international human rights and environmental justice advocate; author of Ken Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP-The Story and Revelation...can be reached at bamckary@hotmail.com

While it's appropriate to thank and congratulate Pres. Muhammadu Buhari for his wisdom and goodwill, attempting to keeping his campaign promise to Ogoni by approving series of efforts to fast-tracking the implementation of United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) recommendations.

It's also worth pointing out that the reconstitution of the so-called Nigerian Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) established by Goodluck Jonathan as a diversionary measure from the UNEP report, to include a Governing Council, Board of Trustees and Project Management yet operate as designed by previous administration will not help the situation hence counterproductive as was evident under Jonathan.

Consequently, if Buhari and his team are serious to succeed there is need for the president to take advice only from honest and disinteresting experts of international standing. He'd depart from historical and conspicuous government dishonesty; publish recommendations said to have been given by United Nations official and the ministries of Petroleum and Environment he cited to have led to recent decision. He'd show respect to Ogoni people and comply with all original UNEP recommendations, and commit to resolving this issue once and for all by setting irreversible precedent.

These recommendations include Ogoni Environmental Restoration Council or Authority and Ogoni Environmental Restoration Fund; "Center for Excellence" for teaching, experiment and testing on environmental matters, and touring to be established in Ogoni not Abuja, Port-Harcourt or Lagos, and sustainable development alongside community empowerment.

Any appropriate advice to Mr. President should include that the already corrupt HYPREP should be purged or eliminated for UNEP team, which has required internationally acceptable expertise and the knowledge of work the agency did to bring about the report, to take up the same work the former is commissioned to do without expertise and historical work.

If serious, why create an agency (HYPREP) that will search for experts from around the world to do a specialized work as the Ogoni cleanup and restoration when the United Nations agency (UNEP) which did the assessment studies is willing to finish what it started by handling over to its implementation unit? That is, why allow an agency with no knowledge of the work it's saddled to manage and carry out work on such sensitive job with scientific and technical bearing while pushing aside the internationally recognized agency, which conducted the assessment and brought about the report the former wants to implement; is there any progressive wisdom in doing so?

What's wrong with seeing Ogoni cleanup as one of such projects in Nigeria won by a competent and internationally recognized agency or corporation, even though it will sought help from others with similar know-how and also employ locals (Nigerians, but Ogonis first given their situation and being the restorative target) as their certification, expertise and experience allows. Why try to politicize and nationalize Ogoni UNEP report and recommendations despite need for national understanding, cooperation and support? If Buhari and his team will succeed, HYPREP should be redesigned, redefined if not eliminated for UNEP take-over, to be Ogoni-specific and headed or managed by UNEP experts, etc.

In this new arrangement UNEP and co-travelers in charge of HYPREP shall be provided all needed funds, particularly the One Billion Dollars recommended start-up fees by government and co-polluters such as $hell Oil to show seriousness and commitment, and government support. The agency shall be independent of government, individual or corporate and local or national institutions' intrusion and influence. It shall invite and employ other internationally recognized hydrocarbon pollution cleaning and restoration entities and corporations while collaborating with the Ogoni community, other institutions around the world. Nigerian agencies such as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), which work is duplicated by HYPREP, and the Ministry of Environment which responsibilities also covers HYPREP's and NOSDRA's and should be the only legally fortified agency in this regard, and Ministry of Petroleum Resources among others can play only needed support roles.

Importantly, the redefined HYPREP headed by UNEP shall not bear the current national role of investigating, evaluating and remediating or restoring all hydrocarbon pollution impacted communities in Nigeria. Rather, it should focus on using the UNEP report for which it's created to implement cleanup and restoration in Ogoni. This way diversion of attention as was obvious under Jonathan and gross failure shall be avoided for success to be achieved. Federal agencies such as NOSDRA can be mobilized by the Ministry of Environment to coordinate and assist the UNEP branch responsible for assessment to conduct environmental and health, social impact studies in other polluted communities of Niger delta and Nigeria in general since Nigeria has no expertise and technology to conduct such assessment acceptable to the international community hence the invitation granted UNEP in Ogoni.

For Buhari to succeed, he has to understand, acknowledge and respect the fact that UNEP report and recommendations, though new pollution sites might be captured in the cleanup process, aren't about the investigation and evaluation of polluted communities Niger delta communities which are two core responsibility of HYPREP as mandated. It's about the cleanup and restoration of Ogoni land and people. Therefore, HYPREP lacks the mandate and capacity to coordinate UNEP report work in Ogoni except redefined to suit. If Buhari will succeed, using the redefined HYPREP as a springboard for Ogoni cleanup and restoration of the land and people is the necessary measure that should bring about focus on Ogoni work and timely completion and not divert attention from it.

Meanwhile, assuming Buhari is serious to be believed, this should be a new dawn that demands new thinking and actions not limited to hard decisions of keeping away corrupt minded Nigerians, especially politicians, and ministries-Shell Oil (though the company will pay all required funds) who will not do anything different from what they've done to frustrate the project take-off. It's a beginning that could set Nigeria and Ogoni on a positive and amicable path while honest discussions are held and actions taken on the creation of a state for Ogoni that will assist in the work, help manage and sustain work that will be done and preserve, protect the environment since Nigeria has proven the lack of interest and ability to protect said land and environment.

Because only the true owner of a land or asset knows how best to preserve, protect and invest in his or her land and asset there is incontrovertible need for an Ogoni State which will be viable, or any political autonomy arrangement by whatever name called that will afford Ogonis the right and freedom to manage their own affairs (like other groups in Nigeria) including the preservation and protection of their environment.

Therefore, if Buhari and his government will succeed, and because this project will serve as precedent for cleanups in Nigeria especially Niger delta's polluted communities and model for Africa hence not another big man's or woman's face and connection jamboree, only the above mentioned experts can lead and plan work, manage resources and advise the president and his team. Nevertheless, there is need for community involvement, and some of the bodies approved by Mr. Buhari, shall cater for such need which will bring about community partnership hence collaboration and support.

Studies have shown that process matters almost as project completion if not more than the latter. Where the process isn't right from the beginning or planning stage the propensity exist on a higher note that the end may not be right. So Buhari should ensure to marry a formidable process including using UNEP experts as managers/leaders of an Ogoni-specific HYPREP, not Nigerians if the agency will not be scrapped for UNEP to take full and independent charge with appropriate funding and support mechanics. He shouldn't listen to anyone or entity without the scientific, technical and management expertise going forward else he will fail like Jonathan. Only credible and honest-disinteresting experts of international reputes should advise the president and implement the Ogoni project.

The government and other co-polluters must not give Ogonis and the global public reasons to see recent Buhari's cleanup announcement and subsequent actions as another build-up leading to deception or a moneymaking and embezzlement or corruption trap as HYPREP under Jonathan was accused, thus a dead on arrival project as common in Nigeria. The government, co-polluters must show that there is enough money equal to One Billion Dollars recommended start-up fee for the work even though they will continue to source for funds from around the world. Of course, people and governments of goodwill and supporters, friends of Ogoni will be open to assisting in any way possible. The start-up amount can be easily sourced by all the polluters including the Federal Government and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) indicted in the UNEP report as one of the major polluters.

Contrary-wise, Buhari and his team will fail in Ogoni and grossly so like Jonathan, if the aforementioned suggestions and steps aren't taken seriously and implemented alongside other well thought and result-driven measures the experts in this regard (hereinafter referred to as UNEP experts and those of other reputable entities) shall offer.

If HYPREP is granted a voluptuous work scope covering all hydrocarbon-related pollution in other Niger delta communities, allowed to be headed and coordinated by Nigerians, thus investigating and identifying pollution sites and making recommendations to government with remediation efforts, the Ogoni project will be given less attention and suffer setback. This may lead to poorly done work or uncompleted project if started at all. Then the Buhari's announcement and efforts will become another wasteful endeavor, lies, disrespect and insensitivity to the need and demand of the Ogoni people who have contributed so much in natural and human resources including blood but given nothing back but exploitation, pollution, deceit and death.


Ben Ikari, is an authority on Ken Saro-Wiwa and Ogoni struggle; international human rights and environmental justice advocate, author of Ken Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP-The Story and Revelation

To put it bluntly yet honestly, and in the name of economic recovery and accountability; respect for nation, tool for sanity and nation building. You can’t protect corruption, the cancer causing Nigeria’s and other African nations’ gradual demise, while claiming to be fighting same. Because precedent and policy matters therefore, the wrong/bad precedent laid by former Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo and his administration, leadership and corruption-wise. It’s become obvious to the world the epidemic status corruption in the country has reached.

There has been (and still is) gross power abuse and lawlessness, including kidnapping, outright official stealing of public funds and other crimes and menace not limited to insecurity, insurgency hence highest death toll recorded since the Civil War. Such unimaginable dimension of corruption has been conspicuous during Obasanjo’s regime, but particularly the deepest under Goodluck Jonathan’s.

Consequently, writing off what happened under past regimes including Jonathan’s, when thugs sponsored by elected government officials and politicians, family members ran the streets and terrorized every nook and cranny of society and Niger delta oil money including other wealth of nation stolen like they didn't matter, will become the worst designed counterfeit check ever written. The danger of not prosecuting these corrupt Nigerian politicians and seize wealth built with public money will be dire. They will use stolen money to fight current government, cause destructive opposition, even insurgency/militancy to stay protected and relevant.This will be catastrophic and in contravention of the trust and good faith granted by voters who became alarmed and reposed confidence in the new government.

What actions President Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo-led government takes will become the precedent laid to either multiply and protect or fight and reduce if not kill corruption in Nigeria and bring discipline. Such precedent may also impact other African nations. Therefore, while it’s worthy of note that, one administration, the Buhari-Osinbajo-led government in this circumstance can’t fight and eliminate corruption rather an honest, open and collaborative, serious and continual strategy should work.

It will be ideal to strengthen existing corruption fighting institutions including the judiciary to be competent and credible hence independent by restructuring these institutions using credible and knowledgeable personnel such as investigators and prosecutors, not witch-hunters, nor should the Federal government interfere as did previous administrations. The restructured task-force/team should be reviewing, investigating complaints, looking into the status and wealth of past presidents, governors, ministers and their family. Other politicians, including local government chairpersons, government officials, business associates of politicians, and institutions of higher learning, hospitals, etc. should be reviewed.

Those living beyond their legal means (salary and salary-based investments, because sitting officials can’t award contracts to themselves or family members, friends) thus found wanting and probable cause exist during regimes between 1999 and 2015 May 28 should be indicted and prosecuted. This should be the most honest and result-driven, nation-recovery and building's strategy to pursue alongside other critically thought-through and pragmatic measures aimed at bringing sustainable development to the country. It will be difficult when considering that these corrupt politicians are in PDP and APC, but possible, if the government and Nigerians are honest and serious about the depth of decay and destruction caused by these politicians to their future. Fighting and defeating corruption in Nigeria, other African nations and anywhere in the world demands collective consciousness and work.

It will be an abomination to claim you’re fighting corruption while protecting same by only concentrating on the menace under the new Buhari's government and pardoning previous regimes as the president-elect's agreement with politicians seems to have been. Previous regimes have stolen the nation, people blind and also terrorized, destroyed them. Their crimes are obvious and known to them. As alluded there is no doubt that fighting and reducing or killing corruption especially in Nigeria isn’t, and can’t be an easy task. Some may argue that fighting corruption by looking into the activities of past governments might be daunting and distractive both in terms of government focus and resources; time and will consume funds meant for human capacity investments. On the contrary, what’s needed for the recovery of dying economies such as Nigeria's, and nation-building is hard, difficult and discomforting decisions. This is if the corrupt status quo and threats inherent in not taking hard and far-reaching decisions and actions will not remain and destroy a country that is already on the verge of collapse.

Except there is a constitutional limitation status, and if Buhari is serious, honest and fair thus will not be accused of discriminating against the Jonathan’s regime, going back to 1999 should be reasonable if real impact will be made in reducing or killing corruption. Fighting corruption with such long and hard hammer can only be a distraction to an administration, leadership that isn’t good at multitasking so unserious and lacks competence; a government which can’t make hard choices and make discomforting decisions therefore lacks needed organizational skills. It will be distractive to a government which institutions are corrupt and lacks investigative, prosecutorial and implementation instinct hence judiciary can’t independently do its work without government influence and interference of so-called powerful politicians.

Meanwhile, since reconciliation is part of nation building, the alternative deal to prosecution, imprisonment if convicted should be the seizure of all wealth including cash within and outside the country amassed illegally then ban these politicians/people from holding public offices. All such money seized must be reinvested into the economy to aid recovery; properties confiscated should be used for community projects such as schools and hospitals, counseling and recreation centers; low income housing among many people-based and empowerment projects.

If the Ogun State High Court judge, A. A. Akinyemi, can sentence a female employee (Oluremi Olayinka) to 266 years jail for stealing N8 million (Naira) from her employer, as reported in the media; a case brought by EFCC. How many years should politicians stealing hundreds of millions or billions of dollars and Naira get in jail?

Buhari, Osinbajo and their team have a duty to respect and protect the confidence reposed in them hence the sweeping victory into power. That confidence is that Buhari fought corruption as a Military Head of State alongside late Tunde Idiagbon, and will do it again as a civilian president by not sparing anyone stealing public money and wealth irrespective of status. If war against corruption as with indiscipline will succeed, policies or laws protecting or granting immunity to corrupt officials or politicians in government can also be discussed and revoked alongside measures outlined herein to sending a strong signal and warning to those with criminal intents. Unconstitutional backdoor deals to the detriment of citizens and nation shall be counterproductive and will put this government out of favor, even power sooner.

If scammers or 419ers and other petty criminals can be jailed for many years for their craft, and many also unlawfully arrested, tried and wrongfully convicted. How fair and what level of corruption would this or any government be fighting and taming if officials/politicians, so-called leaders who should live by example are set free and protected to jubilate in their loots so as to continue stealing, terrorizing and killing poor and helpless citizens and country?

Are these politicians/leaders not those whose indecent and immoral action fueled such offenses and crimes caused by hardship in many cases; hardship caused by same heartless and selfish politicians whose responsibilities and duties were to lead, guide and create conducive environment to train, employ and empower citizens, rather looted public funds for personal/family use and happiness? Imagine the wrong message that will be sent if the search-light and strong arm of the law isn’t taken back to find and hold past and immediate past regimes accountable; corruption will multiply and deepen enough to destroy the nation.


Ben Ikari can be reached at bamckary@hotmail.com. He's an international human rights and environmental justice advocate; expert on Ken Saro-Wiwa.

There are recent reports of a so-called Lower Niger delta secession bid through a Federal referendum or otherwise, that could have worked under Goodluck Jonathan, but ignored because he wasn’t interested in secession. He thought he'd deceive Nigerians to trust and vote him in for a second term, yet clueless in terms of political affairs, leadership and governance. Unfortunately, the reason for this childish intent to part with Nigeria is Mr. Jonathan’s defeat in the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

Given this development therefore, becoming party to such miscalculation or ill-advised move will be against the good and true spirit of Ogoni. As such Ogoni will not be party to this move nor is it part or member of the newly coined Lower Niger delta.

Ogoni remains an epitome of freedom, human equality, justice and environmental protection, thus will stand to grant necessary advice when contacted or where it sees fit to any group, including the said Lower Niger delta. Ogoni’s position which has been echoed and reechoed uncountable times, is that, the oil-rich ethnic nation will stand on its own assuming the secession bid works, or Nigeria happens to disintegrate or turns into a loose federation one day.

What's incontestable is that, the people of Nigeria home and abroad were clear when they declared that they shall no longer be taken for granted by Jonathan and his corrupt administration. They’ve also alerted the incoming regime of Mr. Muhammadu Buhari of similar fate that befell Jonathan, if it fails to deliver its promises; fails to respect, listen and attend to the people's needs; help to lift people out of poverty by creating positive incentives and equal opportunities among other desires of citizens.

Meanwhile, it’s obvious Jonathan and his Ijaw team, senior and otherwise advisers ignored, rejected Ogoni and didn’t consider its people human enough to deserve good despite their struggle and blood they benefited from. United Nations Environmental Program report recommendations that should restore Ogoni land and people through cleanup and sustainable development was abandoned by Jonathan and his government because of historical ethnic repression, his hate toward Ogoni and selfish interest. More important to the Ijaw-led secession bid because Jonathan is defeated is that, Jonathan lost recent election due to dishonesty about not running for a second term if given first term. Therefore, greed and power intoxication, lack of foresight or vision hence incompetence and gross corruption and insecurity is what put him in the predicament he finds himself even though he peacefully accepted defeat to instill calm, and I applaud him for that singular action. His supposedly goodwill may be tested by this Ijaw-led secession bid. As the bell rings I can imagine certain elements in the Ijaw ethnic group including militants’ intent to attack oil facilities within Ijaw land and other communities of Niger delta they may be invited to disrupt oil activities or influenced to act similarly. Such action could erase the goodwill of peaceful acceptance of defeat and handover of power if not reconsidered and reversed.

Of course, the intent to destroy oil business would be a replay or rematch of Boko Haram’s (northern/Hausa-Fulani) action that made governance difficult in a sense for Jonathan from 2011 to the end of his term. So, as we’ve seen and read about threats and signs, Ijaws may be thinking/planning strategies which would cause Mohammadu Buhari and his team to take some doses of what Boko Haram gave Jonathan. Stopping the flow of oil for a reasonable and meaningful discussion hence resolution of resource ownership or control and management (fiscal federalism) is the right of the Ijaws as with any group in Niger delta or anywhere in the country and the world, where what is in one’s land as mineral deposit is forcefully stolen by certain ethnic groups/people in power claiming the Federal government owns the deposit.

To face the fact, however, Ijaws missed the golden opportunity to take their stand, stop the oil and resolve once and for all the issue of resource ownership and control, but failed when militants from the ethnic group who attacked oil facilities by accident and captured national and international attention embraced amnesty from the oppressive Federal government, which Jonathan was vice president. They lost that good cause because of Jonathan and thought he will do anything tangible to address and resolve the issue; or were just greedy and naive about political pressure or struggle to right historical wrong. Indeed Jonathan ignored Ijaw and enlarged Niger delta struggle for human rights and environmental justice, rather enriched certain militant leaders from Ijaw with contracts, other portfolios, and sponsored many abroad to gain education and other trades. The majority of Ijaws, other Niger deltans and Nigerians were abandoned to chew their tongue and many died in pain and hunger.

In addition to these missed opportunities, Jonathan whom Niger deltans are called to foolishly fight and die for, according to Ms. Ann-kio Briggs, Mr. Fred Agboegba, who is president of the so-called Lower Niger delta and others, called a National Conference in 2014 with hidden agenda. The plan wasn’t about the good of all Nigerians, the struggling poor in particular. It’s to boost his then dwindling popularity hence favorability, and to be electable when Nigerians became fed up with his lies and low or zero performance, but the faces of insecurity, including everyday violence, hyper-kidnapping, militancy and insurgency and gross corruption.

At the inaugural of that failed-on arrival conference Jonathan was clear about the unity of Nigeria, saying, such item (disintegration or restructuring) was a no-go area for discussion...meaning secession wasn’t part of the equation. He believed in Nigeria, so why want to secede because he lost? Going into the conference, he didn't have any agenda for the good of Niger delta nor had any vision as to where he wants the nation to go. Resource control was trashed and defeated like child's play by northerners and their supporters who have little or nothing to offer the nation but cheating by depending mostly on Niger delta nations’ oil and gas to run nonviable states.

True-fiscal federalism (or equal recreation of states based on viability) that could dissolve present usurping state structure and return to regional system, where each region will create as many or few states within derivable budget-not waiting for oil money from the Federal government and can’t pay one month salary on their own as the case today, while contributions are made to the center was dumped in the dustbin. The status quo that protects corrupt and criminal politicians and advantage-taking north and other nonviable states in the country were protected. Indeed, new states were recommended for creation. The anticipated source of money for running these mostly nonviable states was/is oil and gas.

Other than the passive mention by Mr. Ledum Mitee, an Ogoni who was Federal government's candidate so cater to government's interest. No one from Ijaw or Niger delta calling for secession mentioned the overdue Ogoni State or any arrangement that will grant Ogonis political autonomy which is the control of their political and economic, environmental affairs by themselves like other ethnic groups in the country. In short, although Ms. Briggs did a minority report and raised some issues such as human rights protection, equality and environmental justice cum resource ownership that are close to the heart of Ogonis, Ijaws and other Niger deltans, and many of us applauded her.

She and other delegates from Niger delta watched Hausa-Fulanis and others shut down discussion and resolution of resource ownership and management or control and did nothing. The upward review of 13 percent derivation money or chicken feeds granted Niger delta states and mostly stolen by governors, other politicians/rulers from the region was referred to the Federal government due to stalemate. Northerners and others knew Jonathan is clueless and feckless so will do nothing about the just demand for upward review. These Niger delta delegates with little resistance watched when northerners threatened hell on baseless and false premises; and watched these abominable things happen, yet supported the final draft of the conference report, which Jonathan had no honest interest in implementing since the exercise was/is a ruse.

Niger delta delegates sheepishly missed a better opportunity to walk out of the conference and work toward freedom hence secession, if that was/is paramount on their minds. They failed because they were listening to Jonathan whose only agenda was to gain favor and become re-electable. The region's delegates who have states, and in majority at the conference were also comfortable with the states they have and the presidency-thinking having a president from Niger delta that is weak and visionless was/is all that matter. They didn't consider the possibility or probability of losing elections hence losing the vapor-like item known as power. Their usual consolation may have been threatening and intimidatory, actual killing and rigging strategies.

Ogoni and its people were ignored, rejected and abandoned like beasts of burden under Jonathan. To add more salt to injuries, Jonathan pardoned his criminal boss, former Governor Alamieyeseigha, who was convicted in United Kingdom (UK) for stealing BAYELSA State’s money/corruption, and laundering millions of pounce in UK, USA, and forfeited properties worth millions of dollars and pounce having escaped from UK and jailed on arrival to Nigeria. He did nothing to push for the exoneration of Saro-WIwa and others who were innocent, though helped clear the way for him to emerge. He also upheld the false conviction of Ogonis by the Federal government of Nigeria and approved the promotion of Mr. Ibrahim Auta whom Nigeria bribed/used to kill the Ogoni Nine, to the position of Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.

Therefore, because Nigerians have spoken clearly by voting Jonathan out of office, and many Niger deltans including Ijaws supported this move by also joining the opposition party, All Progressive Congress (APC) to vote him out for these reasons mentioned herein, there is no reason Ogonis should support such politically naive and ethnically motivated bid for secession. I’m not against secession, where those seeking it do so on qualified grounds such as oppression, slave status and calculated attempts to commit genocide against them, but not because of the defeat of a person (Jonathan) who couldn’t perform his basic responsibilities of security, creating leverage and opportunities for jobs and the good of the common people and all, such as clean water and frequent electricity, quality schools and hospitals and road, etc.


Ben Ikari, is an international human rights and environmental justice advocate; a writer and expert on Ken Saro-Wiwa, and can be reached at bamckary@hotmail.com.

My position is based on a press statement credited to a respected elder of Ogoni Dr. Eddy Wikina on behalf of the "Ogonis Elites and Elders," titled: Oil Resumption in Ogoniland: Elites Advocate 10-15 Percent Equity, and published March 4, 2015 on Ogoninews.com. I wish to state clearly, and without equivocation that, although Dr. Wikina is very known and a respected Ogoni, especially as someone with enormous experience in the oil industry, he'd understand that Ogoni isn't ready for oil production until the United Nations Environmental Program's (UNEP) recommendations on Ogoni clean-up, restoration and sustainable development/people's empowerment are implemented to a reasonable level.

There can be no sane justification rubbing dirt on dirt, or ignoring gross injustice caused by Nigeria and $hell to resume oil business as usual in Ogoni or anywhere. As a result oil production can only commence peacefully in Ogoni if and when the minimum demand of the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR), which is a state for Ogoni as of right is created. A state for Ogoni or self-determination also known as political autonomy will honor the people's struggle and the reason Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 other Ogoni martyrs were unjustifiably murdered by $hell and the Federal government of Nigeria. These demands, if met will demonstrate government's understanding, respect and inclusion, and that the government is serious to resolving Ogoni conflict with her and the oil companies.

Meanwhile, Ogoni State or by whatever name called will grant the people political and economic control of their affairs like about 32 out of current 36 states in Nigeria including those without oil, but mostly sharing monthly oil allocation from the Federation Account hence obvious insane mismanagement of resources and corruption alongside incompetence.

The position credited to Dr. Wikina's that, for "any company to be endorsed by the people it must be ready to accept partnership model and nothing less," is worthwhile, but lacks the meat needed for oil production. It will be grave error and morally wrong for any Ogoni or company, the government of Nigeria to accept and push oil production in Ogoni or anywhere pollution is large scale without first cleaning the degraded land, restore same and adequately compensate victims of such disaster.

It can be recalled that Dr. Wikina worked many years with $hell and ascended to a managerial level. We've no record of him fighting in the interest of Ogoni. He's part of the $hell staff and management team, which deliberately, recklessly and callously polluted Ogoni. His pension, I believe still comes from $hell, therefore, he's still part and parcel of $hell, though currently said to be the Chief Executive of Treasure Energy Resources owned by some Rivers State politicians and business people. In some quarters, however, $hell is reported to be financing this company as a possible proxy through which it can return to Ogoni, like the alleged Belema Oil experiment.

Also, asking for Ogoni representation in all cadre of business or operations including managerial in any company that will produce oil in Ogoni isn't wrong, and demanding 10-15 percent equity as credited to him is well thought out, at least for a start. Dr. Wikina seems not serious and insensitive, a $hell's trademark, to have completely ignore the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Program's (UNEP) report that was released in August 2011, and abandoned by $hell and the Federal government of Goodluck Jonathan who is a Niger deltan/South-South person. Jonathan should know the Ogoni issues and travails better since he's ethnically Ijaw, and his birthplace has oil and depressing marks inflicted by $hell, other oil companies and successive Federal government.

Finally, Dr. Wikina has been known to have lobbied some Ogonis including National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS Intl. USA) and myself. In a telephone and email conversation with me about 4 years ago, he suggested Ogonis should forget about the past including the unjust and barbaric hangings of the Ogoni Nine among many killed by the Federal government and $hell Oil and open up for oil production to improve development and empower the people. I disagreed with him despite agreeing on the need for development, which government and $hell ignores after carting away billions of petrodollars from Ogoni.

Therefore, I'm not surprised he's ignoring the issues paramount to Ogoni. These are issues, which forms the basis for any resumption of oil production. Dr. Wikina isn't discussing or including Ogoni State or by whatever name called, that will grant Ogonis self-determination and serves Ogoni best than his proposals which are also good, but not the best with long-lasting impacts and clean, safe environment with fresh and uncontaminated water to drink and air to breathe.

Meeting these urgent Ogoni needs, which embodies the provisions of the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR), is the foundation or premise on which oil production can and will resume in Ogoni. Anything to the contrary is an invitation to crisis and disturbance of the peace Ogoni has enjoyed in recent years.


Ben Ikari, is an International Human Rights and Environmental Justice Advocate; I can be reached at bamckary@hotmail.com

My Dearest Ogoni Brothers and Sisters; Friends and Politicians, Chiefs, Organizational leaders and Leaders of thought: May I seize this medium to request humbly and respectfully that you please be at peace with yourselves, and think critically, protect the interest of Ogoni people at every cost, every time and anywhere.

Ogoni oil can't and must not be produced until the implementation of a considerable aspect of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) report recommendations, and a state for Ogoni is created to grant the people political and economic control of their/your affairs like about 32 out of 36 states in Nigeria created on ethnic basis. An overdue and justly demanded state for Ogoni, if created as the right thing to do will allow Ogoni to benefit directly from derivation money of 13, 25, 40 or whatever percentage that may be agreed upon by the oil producing states and the Federal government. You must not make the mistake of permitting oil production without these demands satisfactorily met; else the fault and eternal shame shall be yours.

Meanwhile, assuming the rumor about Belema Oil buying $hell's assets that belongs to Ogoni and intent to start oil production without first implementing the UNEP report ends up being true, and by the approval of the Federal government/Pres. Goodluck Jonathan-the entities or their designee authorized by the 1999 Military Constitution to handle oil prospecting/production. I pray you not to be confused or deceived about the baby-company called Belema Oil, founded by Jack-Rich Tein Jr. in 2012, as an oil producing company and incorporated in 2013. Belema Oil has no tested record, capacity including financial standing, insurances or credibility to explore oil in Ogoni not to mention production or deal with oil spills, pollution and degradation, which $hell, a longstanding, rich yet dishonest and corrupt company like the Federal government/Jonathan couldn't or refused blatantly to handle.

According to Belema Oil's Website, which has no phone number a serious company today will and should have for easy access and business communication, though it's an email address as follows: info@belemaoil.com. It's a $hell contractor and so $hell itself. This is the only traceable company it listed to have worked for. That is, Belema works on $hell's Oil Mining License (OML) number 25, and no other company cited as client.

More importantly, if Belema Oil truly accepts to buy $hell's criminal acts, which include but not limited to deliberate pollution, degradation and killing knowing it hasn't the wherewithal, the company is dishonest hence a continuation of the rogue company $hell; the pains, pollution and deaths it caused in Ogoni. If true then $hell is behind Belema, hence the latter is fronting the former.

You'd understand that $hell is trying to run away from its deliberate crimes in Ogoni, so doing everything within its reach to sell off its assets, which should legally belong to Ogoni as collateral for unpaid royalties and rents plus owed development, though the oil is Ogoni's, and neither $hell's nor the Federal government's. The company must be stopped by stopping Belema, if the rumor turns true. Legal injunctions can and should also be attempted to stop these immoral companies not minding their influence and the fact that the judiciary is corrupt. There could be justices who may see legal and moral grounds, reasons with you.

In addition, Belema Oil alleged financial partner is Seplat Petroleum Development Company based in Lagos, and founded in 2009. It's reportedly owned by the French. This company reports on its Website that it produces 30, 000 barrels of oil per-day. Belema which claims to have acquired OML 55 has no daily production count-meaning it's no production job and experience, but maintenance support, pipeline surveillance/leaks prevention and supply of flow-stations and gas operations staff to $hell (its supposed sponsor) at OML number 25.

As Ogonis, you must be vigilant and understand that the rumors of oil resumption in Ogoni aren’t new. The Federal government of Nigeria and $hell, other polluters have never stopped scheming to force into Ogoni oilfields to steal the oil and gas reeling in blood. Neither the government nor $hell, other polluters or new oil contenders such as Belema Oil are interested in the best for you. All they crave and will do anything including lying, bribing and killing to get is your oil.

Therefore, there is absolute need to be careful and united. You must be proactive to resisting and withstanding their gimmick, intimidation and threats. They aren't planning or interested in cleaning and restoring the Ogoni environment polluted and degraded by $hell Oil, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal government, which grants these greedy and insensitive companies protection to pollute and mistreat Ogonis and other oil producing communities and ethnic nations in Nigeria due to its economic interest.

None is willing to sustainably develop and restore you/the people, through adequate compensate for decades of oil-related destruction and displacement from sources of livelihood, which causes alarming poverty in Ogoni hence hardship including public health challenges and deaths due to such hard-time and unhappiness.

Lastly, let me reiterate that Belema Oil has no traceable track record in business not to mention oil production rather, she's a $hell's contractor. It isn’t a new company with 2 years incorporation, and not a neutral and disinteresting party in the Ogoni, $hell-Federal government conflict. $hell may be behind its rants so would use her as proxy to reinvest and produce oil in Ogoni in gross disrespect to Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 Ogoni martyrs alongside 4,000 others killed by $hell and Nigeria in attempt to cover-up the massive environmental degradation they cause, and evade responsibility and accountability as they're struggling to do more than 4 years the UNEP report was released.

Ogonis owe it to themselves and generations unborn to think fast now, act smart, resist Belema, $hell, the Federal government and any other company which may indicate interest in resuming oil production and inflict more pollution on Ogoni without first cleaning the current mess and implement the UNEP recommendations to a significant level satisfactory to Ogonis.

For oil production to resume in Ogoni, in addition to meeting the requirements of the UNEP report which adds that oil production must stop for better clean-up and restoration to happen, a state for Ogoni, which is the minimum demand stipulated in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) must be created in the name of justice, equality, peace, stability and progress.

Thank you very much when you act accordingly and take this message everywhere for public enlightenment.

Sincerely,
Ben Ikari (International Human Rights and Environmental Justice Advocate; can be reached at bamckary@hotmail.com)

The recent settlement by $hell Petroleum Development Company of $83.5 million to the Ogoni community of Bodo, as out-of-court compensation in the United Kingdom, for two oil spills caused by company's negligence in 2008, is a sign of hope. It is a welcome development in the Ogoni struggle for environmental and economic justice.

Although the money may be small compared to what the company and its likes pay in European countries and United States of America for lost sources of livelihood and development, it opens the stage for accountability, better remediation measures and possible positive community relations. This settlement has clean-up package. That is, $hell will clean up its usual mess of pollution.

What this should mean to the Ogoni people and struggle is simple: that the people must unite to pursue legal actions in the United Kingdom and Netherlands-$hell's home countries, for the large scale pollution as captured in the United Nations Environmental Program's (UNEP) report released in 2011. They should arm themselves with the United Nations Environmental Program's (UNEP) report, other documents and evidence to seek internationally acceptable clean-up measures and adequate compensation.

This compensation announced last week also means, $hell is guilty as charged by Ogoni hence responsibility accepted. It means Ogonis, Ken Saro-Wiwa who carefully documented decades of oil spills caused by $hell and other companies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) owned and operated by the Nigerian Government were right about the allegations, complaints made against $hell and other polluters. They are therefore vindicated.

It means invariably that, there is hope for the Ogoni people who have been seeking justice and by so doing harassed, intimidated and communities destroyed by the Nigerian soldiers paid by $hell. They were wrongfully arrested, jailed and killed. Although corporate accountability is common in Europe and America, other parts of the world despite the power and influence wield by these corporations, some of which dictate laws, public policies in their interest. These almighty corporations of European stock in particular which can not be touched or successfully investigated and indicted, tried and convicted in Africa, Nigeria especially, are now opened for investigation and litigation in their home country.

In Ogoni, as commonly known to the people, oil spills which occurred since 1970 are still there not cleaned, though the company's books would claim they have been cleaned. Ogoni has witnessed spills on weekly or monthly basis since the early 1970s. This has been mostly so to this day despite the fact that oil operation was stopped by Ogonis. This was when the companies and federal government refused to respect them and attend to their just demands of environmental justice and self determination in the form of political autonomy. This autonomy will allow the people control their affairs like other groups in the country, and particular attention paid to environmental control to guide against incessant pollution and degradation.

In addition, it is not a secret that the summary reason Saro-Wiwa was targeted and killed alongside other Ogonis was his revelation of Ogoni pollution and degradation, and campaign, which took international dimension alongside stopping the Ogoni oil from flowing to the government and companies. This made $hell and the Nigerian government, other conspirators uncomfortable and unhappy. The company's image was dented hence the many questions, which continue to this day. The good news though is, with agreement and settlement of this nature answers have began coming in about the company's exploitation in Ogoni and other parts of Niger delta of Nigeria.

What Ogonis need now is to unite as one strong and indivisible people under MOSOP or any other front deemed credible and determined not to compromise against the wishes and interest of the people. As this out-of-court settlement shows, and like the first Ogoni human rights case against $hell in America, which was also settled out of court for $15.5 million dollars in 2009. Ogonis will triumph if in one accord, if there is unity of purpose and they are open to collaborating with groups around the world willing to help. Division in MOSOP/Ogoni as it is today is not the answer, so not good for the struggle and people in any manner. Any house divided against itself doesn't stand the test of time. $hell and the Nigerian government, politicians have capitalized on this division to the detriment of the people.

$hell can not run from its crimes in Ogoni despite attempts to blame the many spills, pollution on sabotage, which is new to the oil industry in Nigeria. Interestingly, fingers have also been pointed at the company and government for their roles in some of the alleged sabotage. Evidence will show as did in the Bodo case irrespective of $hell's sinister actions of cover-up and blame games that Ogoni oil pollution and degradation is real. That these spills and pollution are caused primarily by company equipment failure and negligence, which the government/politicians help to cover as partners in crimes. This inglorious partnership tells why Ogonis have to sue the company in United Kingdom and America to get a semblance of justice.

Although a British concoction and contraption which had no original form, Nigeria had a beginning which seemed awesome and promising in the eyes of the world, especially America, some European nations, when Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, then Prime Minister of Nigeria (1963 to 1966) visited USA, etc. after independence of 1960. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was, of course the president, though ceremonial in capacity. These outsiders, everyday citizens in particular, though many are better informed today weren't abreast of the ethnic composition of Nigeria, the selfish and oppressive mentality of the ruling ethnic groups toward those who weren't of same group with them.

It's a wrong and bad foundation laid mostly in the interest of the ruling ethnic groups, namely: Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. Today many are talking about national character and pride as a way to diffusing ethnic recognition, de-emphasizing ethnic politics and tension, etc., but forgot how the beginners laid this self-serving structure, which didn't respect nor consider other ethnic groups misnamed minorities as equals. The tripartite design locked First republic actors above in a tensed power struggle that turned deadly, hence the first coup of 1966 which altered what many calls a great foundation that never was. This trend and coup also helped prepare grounds for the ugly civil war of 1967 to 1970 which claimed about 3 million lives.


Although not too late, it will have been better to encourage national character, spirit and pride from the First republic by respecting and treating all ethnic groups as equals thus served justice to all. Evidently, the beginners were mostly ethnocentric than not. Not only were those in power from Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo ardent, even inimical competitors for central power. The country was partitioned and faction into three regions with these ethnic groups in control. Hausa-Fulani was in charge of Northern region; Yoruba, Western region, and Igbo, Eastern region.

They're inconsiderate as those who came after them. As a result they didn't see the necessity for a Southern region which could have accommodated many of the so-called minorities in today's Niger delta or South-South Geopolitical zone. Meaning, as we may all know, they had North, West and East without Southern region, even though the obvious divide was considered North and South as it still is today. Those misnamed minorities were boxed into these three regions as appendage or like slaves who deserved nothing better.

Instead of creating the Southern region they created the Midwestern region, which was the first and only legislatively established area (including states) in 1963. The so-called minority fears and question, which reverberated before and at the Sir Henry Willink Commission (1957, 1958) of Inquiry, and haven't ceased to reverberate were ignored by these groups, which thought and still believe they're more human and ethnic than the others.

Also, the national parties then followed the tripartite arrangement above. Hausa-Fulani controlled the Northern Political Council (NPC), Yoruba controlled the Action Group (AG) and Igbo controlled the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), which changed to National Council of Nigeria (NCN). When the Midwest got created, NCNC became its party. Aside of the fact that Dr. Azikiwe, an Igbo, was the nation's president and Sir Balewa, Hausa-Fulani, was the Prime Minister who had power or control than the president. The premiers of these regions were also of the cited ethnic
groups.

Amadu Bello, who was the Sarduana of Sokoto was Northern Premier; Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Michael Okpara were Premiers for Western and Eastern regions respectively. Dennis Osadebey became the Premier of Midwest when it got created; and Richard Akintola took Awolowo's position when the latter was arrested and charged for sedition, which reportedly resulted from his disagreement and anger with the way things were arranged at the center. By this I mean the hegemonic tendencies and actions of the Hausa-Fulani (Northern), which Premier Bello reportedly gave added impetus due to his methodology and influence. Hausa-Fulani pre-domination was also said to have been caused by the British colonialists favoring the NPC and people of Hausa extraction.

It's therefore clear that the First republic politicians laid the foundation for ethnic dominance, unsavory competition and bigotry, tension, in addition to grossly oppressing all other groups tagged 'minorities' who have been forced to live alongside these other groups against their wish. Of course, these three groups used their struggles and control to create opportunities for and develop themselves yet, it seems they aren't satisfied with their own grand designs when considering current angst and marginalization complaints amongst or by them. As the report goes, back then the North in particular took undue advantage of the so-called First Nigerian National Development Plan (FNNDP); most federal projects including military establishments went to the north.

Special training and investments were reportedly designed for them. Both unqualified and under-qualified persons were used to fill most federal offices, agencies and parastatals. The reasons, according to reports, the North/Hausa-Fulanis claimed to be responsible for their action was because the West and East have economic and other advantages. The heated, far from national and unprofessional disagreement, competition, bigotry and advantage-taken contributed largely to the first military coup of 1966 mentioned earlier. It's led mostly by Southerners hence brought in Major General Aguyi Ironsi as Military Head of State.

The Northern Premier, Bello, who was a powerful figure believed to be running the country as regional Premier via proxy (Balewa, the Prime Minister), Akintola believed to have been an Allie of Bello and Balewa were killed in said coup. Azikiwe, who was away from the country was the one important actor spared. Different accounts or theories exists as to why he wasn't killed, but obviously he wasn't in the country and this also made some believe he's hinted to leave.

To further trace the dominance of these three ethnic groups, during military rule, which lasted about 33 years (1966 to 1999 despite Alhaji S. Shagari civil tenure), the heads of states, next in command and other key principal officers/civilian positions were largely given to Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups. We can now see how the ethnic political struggles of the First republic shaped current struggle between same three ethnic groups at the center, though there now is a new hand in twist with the former, in the person of Goodluck Jonathan who has no option due to his political and leadership deficiency qualified for bankruptcy to dance to their dictates. As it's known, the current president, Jonathan is an Ijaw of the Niger delta listed as one of the minority regions and was written off as an aspect of the country which has no will or force to threaten the unity or economic life of the country despite its exploitation and oppression.

Long story short, Nigeria is a unitary system that is composed of ethnic groups or nationalities. These ethnic nations which include the oppressive three were independent before the colonial masters came. Nigeria is therefore not like America mostly created as a mix-bag of people from all works of life. It's a country forcefully housing distinct and indigenous peoples/nations, thus must be seen and respected as such, even though a transformational trend that may properly melt all groups into one united, progressive and strong nation could be possible, where all groups, individuals are treated with consideration, as equals yet different and justice served. The fact that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country must not and can't be speculated otherwise.

The more those in power refuse to depart from the ethnocentric and oppressive foundation laid at independence, the deeper groups ignored, marginalized or oppressed will identify with their ethnic groups which must not be wished away, because doing so will amount to destroying their identity.

Nigeria can jettison the erroneous foundation, which imposes curse on the people. It can choose to become a nation-state with balanced regional units or move fast as it seems to divorce. Furthermore, if it must survive, it can and should de-emphasize ethnic politics, bigotry and oppression which translates into conflict, by returning to regional government, which comes with balanced and fiscal federalism and shall leverage the playing field with visible and not theoretical or imagined development, and opportunities that will empower and make everyone and ethnic group feel a sense of belonging and pride as Nigerians.

The above postulation therefore demands a critical look into the history of the negative, oppressive and failing foundation, ethnicity and why no ethnic group should be disrespected and undermined, rather hold high and protected as the basis on which Nigeria exist. Although there is need to emphasize and embrace national, state or regional politics exists, thus the absolute need to de-emphasize ethnic politics and embrace national character and pride, with opportunities created for equal access, competition and success into any office in the country by all groups. Clamoring against ethnic identity and spirit will mean fighting against nature and the spirit of Nigeria. It will imply fighting national unity and stability, because no reasonable people (ethnic nation) will deny their originality: identity, culture, tradition-heritage and pride-which is their existence.

African Cultural And Fundamental Rights Council, AFCRC, USA, calls on the oppressed of Nigeria to stand up, mobilize and dissociate from the just concluded National Conference. As suspected, the conference failed to resolve core issues bothering on the nation's unity, system's responsibility, accountability, development and growth. These issues are the free-will to be part of the country, structural imbalance, true-fiscal federalism in a regional government's perspective that is the best and fair option left for Nigeria to right the many wrongs since independence.

Such regional arrangement shall meaningfully share and balance power with the center-call it power devolution. It shall bring about resource generation, ownership or control at regional level, and the regions shall contribute certain percentage that is fix across the board to the center for efficient and effective governance; bring about system responsibility and accountability hence palpable sustainable development and growth.

AFCRC believes the recommendations of the conference, which Mr. Goodluck Jonathan said he will do all within his power to implement, will amplify gross inequality, marginalization and injustice. As a result there will be deeper displeasure; crisis and conflict shall continue. This implies the conference resolution will not change anything from current pains, mismanagement and corruption, not even did it agree to recommend raising the minimum wage of the working poor, thus suggests it doesn't care for the plight of the common people. Yet politicians and their private sector associates will continue to misappropriate and embezzle billions of Naira and Dollars, etc. if recommendations become law.

The action of this failed conference, which may through Jonathan and his team seek national referendum for implementation of nothing tangible it recommends, gave rise to agitation for another conference before it ended as was predicted. The conference proudly protects the status quo ante on the instruction of Mr. Jonathan and the cabal, given that its delegates were mostly nominated by government to protect its interest.

From the outset, the timing and composition of the conference raised curiosity about hidden agenda. Its result points to such agenda to retain the unjust status quo. It ignored the common knowledge that Nigeria was illegally imposed on free precolonial independent ethnic nations. As a result relied on Jonathan and the cabal counseling so didn't discuss whether the different ethnic nations forced to be Nigerians against their wish can and are willing to stay together as one, and on what terms.

The conference like other failed jamborees, which weren't of the sovereigns (ethnic nations) forcefully and illegally invaded by the British and unjustifiably colonized, then used to concoct Nigeria without their informed consent, acceded to the government's notion that all the ethnic groups forced against their wish to become Nigerians must continue to stay in bondage without the free-will and choice to determine their destiny. It failed to consider the global shift toward the recognition and protection of fundamental rights to freedom, self determination, justice and peace, and also refused to see why the former Soviet Union disappeared.

AFCRC hold strong the belief that in any country on earth all humans, ethnic nations and indigenous peoples have inalienable right to freedom and self determination, which grants the power to design and control their affairs without undue interference. This fundamental right makes the forcing of people to live together without prior and informed consent unlawful as operational in Nigeria.

We therefore deem it necessary to making this dissociation or boycott call because the conference didn't meet the unity, equality, justice and democratic test, and given the fact that its convocation was based primarily on Jonathan's projected political gains in the 2015 presidential election. Consequently, its anti-equality, justice and peace recommendations endorsed by Jonathan and the cabal have proved him and the conference critics right.

This waste of time and money exercise proves Jonathan has no vision for the country he rules and seeking a second term; that country which shall treat every individual and ethnic group equally and fairly, and serve justice to all-building and consolidating democratic institutions the people can embrace for participation, believe in and be proud of .

Although the conference created the impression that it recommended true federalism, it's based on false premise. There can't be true federalism where three ethnic groups: Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo maintains about 21 out of current 36 states and also benefit from 18 new states the conference recommended for creation.

More than 90 percent of current states depend solely on oil money from Niger delta region, which has six states and has about 30 ethnic groups. These states are mostly composed of multiethnic groups against the 21 states, which are specifically composed of members of the tripartite ethnic groups above. AFCRC believe there can't be true federalism where the conference recommend 18 additional states that are mostly nonviable. These new states, like the current, will as usual wait every month instead of thinking and creating more, to share oil money confiscated from mostly Niger deltans.

AFCRC states without equivocation that, no country honestly seeking better future for its people can succeed by promoting laziness, complete dependency and not imagination, innovation, creativity and competition. No progressive country can stay progressive by mounting unlawful and unacceptable pressure on one region for exploitation while the rest sits to share what comes from the pressured area. What works in proper federations if you must eat the so-called national cake as a state, region and people is, collective contribute to its baking by way of internal revenue generation to meeting local needs and paying taxes to the center for more to be available.

We believe Nigeria can be better, but only if it believe in true-fiscal federalism in a regional setting and act it out with all its fibers or bones and blood. The current status quo has shorter lifespan hence unsustainable, if the oppressed are conscious and serious about their rights which include freedom to decide their sociopolitical and economic life. In such federalism that works, fiscal responsibility and accountability must be recognized, discussed, implemented and monitored for substantive result.

We believe in and support that federalism, which has structural balance through regional system of government that will be based on current six Geopolitical zones or more, and will create considerable number of states they can individually manage, maintain to meeting the needs and aspirations of the people/ethnic groups in them. We also support that federalism, which properly devolves and balances power between the center and federating units and not the epileptic state structure, which grants about 21 states to three ethnic groups and shared the rest between 297 ethnic groups-a recipe for unending displeasure and conflict.

AFCRC believes in, and advocates therefore, the need for all the oppressed of Nigeria to stand up now, mobilize and dissociate from the failed conference, and demand a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), which meaningful Nigerians have advocated and demanded but repeatedly overruled by the military and their misnomer civil government counterpart, which cherishes and protects the cheating, unjust and deadly status quo ante.

Alternatively, the oppressed peoples or ethnic nations may fashion out ways to seeking external self-determination or independence, where their calls for genuine peoples' conference or measure that will bring about the peoples' constitution having taken the above issues into account and resolve them based on equal representation and consent, honesty, equality and justice for all, is ignored.

African Cultural and Fundamental Rights Council (AFCRC-USA) mourns the foremost African Freedom icon and pride of the world, Dr. Rolihlahla Nelson Madiba Tata Mandela. This is a sad day for Africa and the world, but especially the people of South Africa whose lives have become wrapped and inseparable to the inspirational reality that was Mandela. Although gone and will no longer be seen, he's here to stay because his legacies live, and his life and death is a celebration.

Mandela's life is a unique testimony of struggles for freedom, equality and other forms of social and economic justice and the optimism for victory that exists. Though, for favoring self-defense against an apartheid regime, which oppressed, destroyed and killed black South Africans with impunity (backed by mostly Western white governments and corporations such as $hell Oil), he's considered a terrorist alongside Africa National Congress (ANC) by the white apartheid and American government, which placed him and ANC on terrorist list until 2008.

Mandela unjustifiably remained on American terrorist list even after he's released from illegal prison terms he served for 27 years, visited America under the presidency of George H.W. Bush in 1990; when he became president in 1994 and out of office in 1999. The terrorist designation was dropped when President George W. Bush deemed it necessary and America became more ashamed for such callous and inglorious act against someone and organization genuinely struggling against oppressed intruders.

His reconciliatory and unity model in South Africa on release from prison in 1990 despite the white oppression against black South Africans brought to his people, Africa in general and the world a deeper sense to the power of reconciliation and forgiveness, understanding and compromise, unity and peace. Though better for the world, especially leaders/politicians to be honest and respect the rights of all, do right by the governed and act with grace, mutual understanding and justice so we don't get to the point of reconciliation, because there are things reconciliation can't change-bring back or heal. The world needs the deepest of Mandela's determination, honesty and selflessness, leadership and reconciliatory examples to forge our co-existence and creating a more better, safer and peaceful place to live.

According to him, "As I walked out of the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." This means forgiving his white apartheid captives who oppressed and victimized him and his people. Not doing so would have kept him a prisoner whose mind wasn't free hence holding himself captive, though freed from actual prison he'd reasoned. Mandela's thinking and conviction speaks to today's actors.

Such thinking isn't only to those who have been or are currently oppressed by a cabal of politicians and rulers in most African countries, for example, and other parts of the world. It's also to those who have oppressed, victimized and continue to holding opponents and those who disagree with them on principle (thus criticize their leadership styles) hostage and locking some up in prison instead of opening up their mind and thinking differently to amicably and justly resolving outstanding issues.

There is need for forgiveness and reconciliation after misunderstanding or disagreements and in some cases, South African situation, outright oppression, power exhibition due to its intoxication and greed. It pays to reach such conclusion than not to do so, Mandela admonished South Africans, the continent of Africa and the world. But his struggles and lessons from them also show that the earlier governments/oppressors (groups and institutions) stop their unwarranted acts-gross dishonesty and cheating, corruption, mismanagement, injustice, discriminatory and blood politics and starts respecting every human being the earlier and easier peace will come.

Mandela, like many distinctive leaders brought the lesson that treating all with respect and as equals, fairly and with justice ringing in the air is common sense and veritable to peace, development and stability. His struggle shows that, we will not get to the point where needed peace would be threatened, if greed, illegal invasion and annexation or colonization (oppression) and other forms of vices institutionalized and protected by the governments of the world and have currently become the treat of most African governments are buried from people's heart.

Now that Mandela's voice is no more-gone at 95, the world, especially South Africa and the continent of Africa, which is far behind in today's proper democracy and good governance, development and global science, technology competition will live to grapple the idealism and reality of his dreams and mission. They'll most of all have to work harder to practice his beliefs and teachings else the continent shall descend into deeper calamity worse than the present fundamental rights abuse, corruption and zero accountability regime that pervades the land.

Meanwhile, according to reports, Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. His father died when he's a little boy. He started on a rough slate, yet taken in by the fine-hearted of the community and sent to school. As a young man with an activist mind for change and better life he helped to develop and form the youth wing of ANC. As a student activist in about 1940, he's expired from Fort Hare, South Africa's first University for blacks, for taking part in anti-apartheid protest with Oliver Tambo. He's also a lawyer who mobilized the Black South African people against apartheid regime in a Stay-Away protest or strike in 1961 at the age of 42.

In 1950s and early 1960s, Mandela was deeply involved with ANC and leading the youth wing of the organization, and navigated through apartheid with the knowledge that Africans needed political independence and ended up in jail for 27 odd years. He became the first black president of the nation in 1994, when apartheid ended, having been released from prison in 1990. This is a dream and mission accomplished for Mandela and today, it's a dream and mission accomplished for the world!

His actions, dogged-headedness and even stubbornness standing for freedom, respect for all humans and the protection of fundamental rights, while denying himself every good thing isn't lost on the world, especially the youths. It must thus not be lost on politicians, leaders and emerging leaders of the world.

On assuming power in 1994, Mandela lived to the test of a response he gave in 1961 when interviewed from his hideout, having mobilized a massive Stay-Away protest/strike as part of a non-cooperating action plan to force the hands of the government to respect black South African rights to political independence and voting franchise or right on the basis of one-man-one vote. In that interview, he said, "We've made it very clear in our policies that South Africa is a country of many races...there is room for all the races in South Africa."

His reconciliatory move and the reality it became proved the above statement and legacies worth emulation by all of us and the politicians, leaders in particular. Although Africa and the world, especially South Africans will miss the person, spirit and leadership of Mandela which rolled in sincerity and commitment, honesty to stand up aganist injustice. His stance and struggles for freedom, Will and determination to face and defeat the odds of times, spirit of forgiveness, love and commitment to poverty eradication, HIV and AIDS, other great causes he championed and those he supported are models on which the world, particularly African states should rebirth and domesticate.

AFCRC seize this opportunity to call on the world's governments, especially those of the African continent to take seriously the issues of human and indigenous peoples rights. They'd project and protect fundamental rights to education, socio-economic freedom and equality as a way to empowering the citizens and checking acute poverty and diseases. They'd likewise promote and protect rights to political self-determination, unity, security and peace as a way to honoring, promoting and protecting the legacies of Mandela .

While AFCRC wishes the repose of the spirit and soul of Holihlahla Nelson Madiba Tata Mandela, we wish also that South Africans, African nations and the world, but particularly his family shall be given the fortitude to bear this loss that is irreparable. Mandela, thank you very much for your life, work, sacrifices and being such an inspiration to the world!

Eighteen years today, Nov. 10, 2013, Nigeria killed Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogonis for summing the courage to think deep in a bid to nonviolently and peacefully outsmart oppression, and have in the long run inspired the world despite intimidation. Not so surprising, Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw and first Niger deltan to be Nigerian president, by his unfriendly acts toward Ogoni seems to have endorsed and standing by this decision. By refusing to implement the UNEP report on Ogoni that shows the depth of degradation in Ogoni and the danger it poses, the very revelation Saro-Wiwa made and was listed on Nigeria and $hell's obituary candidate schedule. Jonathan seems to be defending and justifying this killing, which primarily resulted from Ogonis drafting a simple bill known as Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) for respect and freedom or equality, justice and peace. This testament that many, including Ijaws have today emulated put in clear terms demands, that aren't extraneous. They’re for environmental protection, which UNEP report justifies, the prevention of Ogoni culture, including languages from extinction; and adequate representation as of right in all Nigeria’s national institutions.

The bill also sought resource control, at the level of a fair proportion of the people’s economic resources for their development, though the proper and current Ogoni demand is the full control of their resources and taxes to be paid to the government, so that others will also contribute to the center and not wait parasitically for Ogoni oil money and those of others to survive. In addition, political autonomy or a state for Ogoni in Nigeria that, will grant its people self-rule or self-governance not alien to Nigeria, rather has been granted and replicated all over the country was and is also demanded. These just and fair demands and their education, mobilization thereof, were the reasons Saro-Wiwa and others were killed. Ogoni Nine were killed for nothing more, rather Saro-Wiwa planned and led Ogonis to seeking their fundamental rights, even though the government and politicians lied that Saro-Wiwa was used by outsiders to attempt breaking the country.

The OBR is clear and there is no such evidence anywhere pointing to such accusation other than where Saro-Wiwa occasionally cited the disintegration of former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia as possible fate that could be Nigeria's (dynamics of history as he put it) should the rulers of Nigeria continue to oppress, steal from and kill minorities, other repressed Nigerians instead of respecting their rights to human dignity and self-determination. Nigeria rulers, as backward as they're and will continue (except they open up to learn new things) to be weren't used to such honest intellectual argument, mobilization and boldness by Saro-Wiwa of one of the minority ethnic groups they believed couldn't at any instance rise to the occasion of challenging the status quo and educating the country on their rights, thus felt threatened for decades of wrongdoings-cheating and oppression of oil bearing communities of Niger delta. Saro-Wiwa's guts, enlightenment was as scary and threatening to corrupt and rogue, lazy Nigeria rulers/politicians as a Sovereign National Conference, which they fear could break the country, whereas could also correct the anomalies with a proper peoples' constitution.

Meanwhile, though this unjust, illegal and primitive killing by hanging was ordered by late Sanni Abacha in a military regime (1995) and writers, politicians, leaders, etc. have continued to pin this killing on Abacha. The reason Saro-Wiwa wrote, spoke and mobilized Ogonis to peacefully confront their tormentors (Nigeria and $hell, et al) is a policy made by the so-called major ethnic groups. Of course, these groups are: Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. The fourth is Ijaw, though had no influence and was oppressed then until now it's the president. This policy was used to steal Ogoni and Ijaw/Niger delta oil, gas and degrade the environment while using money from the stolen wealth to develop these first three groups and for individual embezzlement. As such twenty-three years after the OBR was drafted by Saro-Wiwa and presented to the Nigerian government under military dictator Ibrahim Babangida (1990), and eighteen years after the death of the Ogoni Nine and Abacha, nothing in the bill of rights has been attended. Not even the current administration of a so-called first Niger delta president, Jonathan, has seen any reason to respect and honor the hard work, sacrifice of Ogonis, whose struggle and blood helped uproot him from the dust.

The point here therefore, is that, although Abacha killed Saro-Wiwa and others during military regime, the decision to kill them, not minding the ethnic group or region of a Nigerian president, is believed by these rulers and as a matter of policy that the killing is in the best interest of the country. This is despite the fact that the OBR is in plain language, thus demands what other Nigerian groups including Jonathan’s Ijaws (Bayelsa State) have. So the decision is a national policy and not restricted to Abacha and the military, therefore the oppression continues. Let us face reality. Abacha or the military isn't the reason eighteen years later, successive governments have refused to apologize to Ogonis in the face of the truth. It's a national policy that’s why they refused to decriminalize the Ogoni Nine and that’s why the National Assembly refused to take seriously a bill sponsored by Sen. Lee Maeba about 2010, asking that Saro-Wiwa should be decriminalized and granted national recognition, given that the Federal government killed him unjustifiably. It’s also because of the national policy to teach Ogonis a bitter lesson for having the audacity to demand their rights like others, and exposing Nigeria’s conspiracy with $hell stealing Ogoni oil and stopping their oil from flowing that Ogoni cleanup and the UNEP report have been abandoned by a Niger deltan in person of Jonathan whose ijaw group also suffered similar fate like Ogonis and others in the oil-rich region.

Given the above, and acknowledging the fact that every conflict deserves an end in the name of justice, equality and peace. I’m calling on Nigeria, especially politicians of Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba, Igbo and Ijaw and those of other groups or regions to rethink. They'd put politics that doesn't work, but decimate people such as Ogonis aside and cause measures that will repose public confidence in government and rulers/leaders. The time has come when politicians no matter where they come from should give Ogonis (and other minorities and oppressed of Nigeria) in this circumstance the reasons to trust and respect them as leaders and support their agenda including re-election. It’s time to bury dirty, destructive and bloody politics to forge a political front with a will to fully implement the UNEP report on Ogoni, because it’s the best thing to do and non-negotiable to Ogonis. It’s absurd and unthinkable, despicable that the rights of the Ogoni people to their land, economic resources and other fundamental rights have remained trampled and the people continuously disrespected despite their peaceful and nonviolent principle.

The policy and tactic by politicians to continue ignoring the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR), which simply demand what other Nigerians are enjoying and seeking a workable way forward for the country, while rewarding and promoting militancy and armed struggles is preposterous and stupid, thus counterproductive. Or is rewarding bad behavior a measure by Nigeria rulers in their seeming illusion or believe inviting Ogonis to bear arms as the last resort to save themselves and land and considering that arms bearing is what works? It's time to rethink and respect Ogonis, treat them as equal members of the country...and extend same fair treatment to all groups irrespective of size or political and economic advantage or disadvantage.

If Nigeria truly want peace and unity then it’s proper for the rulers to respect and honor the sacrifices of Nov. 10, 1995; right the wrongs done to Ogonis by immediately revisiting the OBR and among other steps that should deal with the demands therein start the full and unabated implementation of the UNEP report that could change the lives of Ogonis, save their environment and change the way most Ogonis think about Nigeria. Indeed Nigeria is a country Ogonis like most other ethnic groups didn't bargain nor sign any document to be part, but forced against their wish by the British, therefore have moral and legal basis to contest their continuing colonization or hostage-taken by Nigeria. Respecting and doing right by Ogonis can change every ill-feelings and make them believe strongly in Nigeria once again, but the contrary is dangerous than a time-bomb.

As I've suggested in my previous articles based on historical facts and current reality, the so-called National Conference (NC) many thought will be Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and I said it will not, is all about Goodluck Jonathan. It’s thus a NC which participants shall not be drawn equally from ethnic nations rather, on state or regional basis. Some groups, especially the Northern sociopolitical and cultural group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), while encouraging Northerners to participate and not boycott the conference as planned, opined that delegates should be drawn on local government basis. The group is aware such arrangement will favor the North, which Jonathan is aware will work hard to scuttle equitable and just decisions of the conference, as with it's the most states, thus its upper hand in the National Assembly.

Any of the foregoing arrangements may very well dash the dreams, hopes of oppressed ethnic and indigenous peoples. So the said conference that isn’t sovereign is more about Jonathan who is getting the targeted attention and goodwill having lost flavor for lack of performance, hyper-corruption and impunity in his administration incomparable to any remembered time.

Funny enough, if it holds, after so-called citizens’ referendum on outcome the recommendations from the conference shall be reviewed or ratified by the National Assembly, which Jonathan knows is a lame-duck playing politics, number-game and not doing the business of the sovereigns or peoples. An assembly confined to greed and corruption, laziness and gridlock, and can’t complete its version of a constitutional review despite huge money wasted shall become the final arbiter before conference recommendations are made into new law? There is no need for prophets to see through the failure such process will be. Jonathan know the end result, though will have room to transfer blames to the assembly after he secured needed attention; the mind of people soften toward him thinking he mean well, and he eventually wins the 2015 election that this conference is actually about, except conference holds in 2014 before elections. This is of course unlikely.

Although due to the compelling need to talk many may see this conference as being well meant. The conference has nothing to do with the ethnic sovereigns (and generality of Nigerians) that caused Nigeria, though against the wishes of many. It’s these ethnic nations that are the Nigerian reality that needs to talk in honest terms for a way forward. Experience has shown that the way forward isn’t in the hands of some government selected few whose thought shall be influenced, making outcome similar to the last two held by late Sanni Abacha and Olusegun Obasanjo, and they both failed for ignoring the free will of the sovereigns to talk and right the wrongs of 1914 and subsequent draconian laws plaguing the country.

Any genuine national talk’s outcome, especially with sovereign composition will go through referendum by the sovereigns or peoples and become law once approved. It's like causing a new or rebirth features, where every old thing shall be banished and everything become new. It's instructive to note that the sovereigns are higher than the president and selected or in most cases imposed National Assembly members who have today and by force usurped the peoples’ sovereignty like the federal government. Their power are meant to be derived from the sovereigns, but for the use of force and other fraudulent, crooked means. The current and illegal composition of the National Assembly with two representatives from each state instead of ethnic nations has Hausa-Fulanis, Yorubas and Igbos as dominant ethnic groups. This is due to the unholy state creation theory used by Hausa-Fulanis (and their so-called majority counterparts) who have ruled the country more than others to multiply into many states as to usurping oil resources, controlling and maintaining power. The Yorubas and Igbos have benefited from this theory, thus have about 6 states each, while the former has more than 8, but many of the ethnic groups whose oil is used to fuel these states have none.

Given the above, the Hausa-Fulanis especially, will not allow any recommendation that carries true and fiscal federalism bearing resource control to succeed. They’ve, of course, been against SNC or any arrangement that will be based on equity, justice and equality in respect to resources control and state creation, national offices and more than any ethnic group. They alongside many Yorubas and Igbo politicians/rulers fear any real changes, respect for all groups and economic parity and justice a SNC can bring to replace their epileptic and unjust parasitic design. Jonathan and his team are aware of the uncanny position of the north and some of their southern counterpart; they’re aware of this structural imbalance and the gridlock that has been the Assembly but chooses the former as last resort. One thing that could force the national Assembly to accept conference result, though not its sovereign right, is real breakup threats from ethnic nations in South-South and South-East. I wish at such point the north and Yorubas could be bold to accept or also break up.

Meanwhile, despite the seemingly good will Jonathan could be getting, lots of people have expressed lack of trust in Jonathan and his conference and some have also said there is no need for another jamboree that will waste money without achieving projected or wishful results. Many more have said good governance, which I disagree is what the country needs and not any kind of conference. Good governance or democracy can’t on their own resolve the disproportionate state and resource sharing methods, where those who have power and those close to it used same to create many states for their ethnic groups, using the oil resources of so-called minorities who have the least number of states. Honest talk will dismantle these states and create new ones based on viability, ethnicity or as ethnic groups may agree to form new states, and need for equity and equality, true and fiscal federation or confederation. It will also create provisions that allow sovereigns willing to leave the contraption do so while those not willing will stay. On the other hand, an honest and not string attached NC as this one can also renegotiate and rewrite the currently exploiting and deadly constitution to a people’s constitution bearing true and fiscal federalism, hence resource control. Such conference will not be subject to National Assembly ratification else it will be doomed.

It’s also worthy of note that at this conference dismemberment can’t be discussed, according to the advisory committee chairman, Dr. Femi Okurounmu, who has been handed what to do, thus seemed confused on Peoples’ Sovereignty and National Assembly, while discussing on Sahara Reporters' TV (story was published Oct. 26). Yet he claims there will not be “no-go-area” like Jonathan, his master also said knowing they’re lying. Why should not allowing discussion on whether any ethnic nation whose consent wasn’t respectfully sought or those who just want to leave Nigeria can do so not mean there is no-go-area?

Why afraid of SNC or dismemberment, and why continue to force people to stay together if they don’t want to, yet he claimed Nigerians don’t want disintegration? One thing is sure-discussing dismemberment isn’t express ticket for disintegration. It only gives the people right to their thoughts and needs or demands. If majority agrees that dismemberment is the way forward after deliberation those willing can leave, if not they stay and work out modalities for a more solid, united and perfect union through new people's constitution. Conference of the sovereigns Nigeria's rulers, politicians including Jonathan have fought against, hence the unending crisis and repeated agitation that isn’t going away will form a more legitimate national dialogue and way forward and not a NC which participants are drawn on state or regional basis or local government and whose selection and ideas shall be bundled by government.

Let me state here finally that, the inability of Jonathan and his government to making this so-called National Conference sovereign, but about himself, and especially the decision to allow no-go-area, meaning dismemberment can't be discussed, and sending deliberation result to the National Assembly for review may as well cause disintegration than could be expected. Ethnic nations may seize such historical gridlock and shenanigan as a path to reasserting their independence, hence disintegration. No doubt some sections, groups in the country, including parties have declared their unwillingness to attend the conference claiming it's another waste of time and money, that will not produce clamored result, hence will only favor Jonathan’s interests as he envisaged.

Recent deceitful moves by a factional Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Felix Obuah, seeking support from the state, especially Ogonis in this circumstance has come to public attention. In partnership with Mr. Obuah and others, Mr. Nyesom Wike who was Chibuike Amaechi's Chief of Staff and current Nigeria's Supervisory Minister of Education rolled out a so-called Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) in a bid to deceiving the people and garner support and votes for Mr. Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Ironically, Jonathan is the precursor of Wike and his team, and the one who abandoned and refused to implement the UNEP report that will help remedy Ogoni degraded environment and restore the people with sustainable development. Ogoni Environmental Restoration Fund (OERF) and jobs for the relegated, jobless youths and people are among the recommended good in the UNEP package so denied the people. This means Jonathan wishes backwardness, displeasure, pains and death for the oil-rich yet impoverished people whose votes he seeks. What a look down on Ogoni and peoples of good conscience!

Meanwhile, to drive home this deceptive package, according to Vol. 10 No. 39 (Oct. 2 to of Nationalnetworknewsonline.com, on Sept. 29 at Bori, the traditional Headquarters of Ogoni nationality, masterminds of said initiative spoke in a show of force or war that is Nigerian politics. Mr. Wike and Obuah like others on their team including Ogonis such as Messrs. Lee Maeba and Kenneth Kobani haven’t told the public/Ogonis if they’ve encouraged Jonathan to implement the UNEP report. This report means so much to the people. It’s because of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s revelation of Ogoni degraded environment that $hell and Nigeria chastised him and others to death. How then will those who are Niger deltans (Ogonis) and should know the Ogoni issue ignore it, yet claimed to be interested in the development of the area; where in Ogoni is their development effort or are they just joining politics today? Not at all…they’re all corrupt Nigerians like their master Jonathan.

The reason for Wike and Co.’s lies about GDI is simple: “The GDI leaders and chieftains will not cease to mobilize people to support Jonathan; we are mobilizing to support our son, brother, in-law and leader, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to continue as President come 2015. We must encourage him to run,” Wike was quoted to have said.

All the speakers who used Amaechi’s banana plantation in Ogoni (most Ogonis including myself opposed while most of them in Amaechi’s camp then gave support or just silent because of their interest) as punching bag also hammered the need for Ogonis to support Jonathan (who hates them) in his re-selection bid. This support they claimed or lied is to grant the people a kind of development that’s never been heard of in this world. Really; Ogoni can see or be develop by Jonathan and his gang; what about the UNEP science-based lifesaving report, sustainable development he denied the people? We can see their lies through them when matched with reality…so who is fooling who when we know all of these crooks?

Without equivocation the so-called Grassroots Development project is centered round support and vote for Jonathan who doesn't merit one vote from Ogonis. Let me reiterate that most of these speakers including Wike and Maeba were part of Amaechi when he initiated the banana plantation. It’s also on record that Ogonis don’t hate banana; it’s one of the many crops/fruits they cultivate for subsistence and export like many groups or nations in the world led by India according to reports. These people/nations aren't monkeys or slaves as Maeba and Kobani whose development efforts during their time as government officials can’t be seen anywhere impacting Ogonis, respectively claimed against this plantation. In short banana is considered one of the healthiest foods on earth, even though it’s reported to have certain enzymes that could cause allergies depending on quantity taken and the porosity or receptive nature of one’s body mechanism. Overall, banana gives us vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium and fiber to mention a few. What Ogonis who opposed the plantation wants is simply a different project that will not take too much land which is already scares, and could very well impact the people like those Amaechi established or moved from Port Harcourt to his place, Ubima. Ogoni position isn't the hypocritical commentaries oozing from Wike and Co.

While I respect Mr. Wike and Co., as human beings and recognize their rights to have opinions, and while looking for their daily bread can persuade, mobilize any group of people within their area of jurisdiction to support their cause or vote their party or factional candidate, Jonathan for instance. I like majority of Ogonis frowns at the dishonesty and calculated deceit that is the subliminary message to the suffering people and considering their record and history toward Ogoni development. Ordinarily, any group tagged with grassroots development initiative will be taken seriously and embraced by all well-meaning people. When put into context and reality those behind the current initiative and their purpose, the conclusion, which most Ogonis already feared is that, it's for political reasons only. That reason is to win the broken heart of Ogonis to help vote and elect Jonathan for a second term.

Why vote the same man you supported but turned around to stab you in the back saying, “You aren't worth living,” and why vote Jonathan to encourage corruption, insecurity, lack of campaign or governing-promise delivery and general development, which are core factors for Nigeria’s backwardness? Why must Ogonis vote Jonathan when he’s conspicuously demonstrated to them that they’re on their own not minding the environmental hazard and extermination threats facing them? How can a cloth washed and spread to dry in the night do as wished if when spread in the morning under sunlight can’t dry; what miracle can Jonathan perform than becoming more corrupt, protecting corruption and enrich Ijaw militants? What magic can Jonathan cause than promoting lawlessness, and serve as buffer to his surrogates such as Wike who is used as puppet to causing confusion in Rivers State alongside Obuah, others because his original master, Amaechi who recommended him for ministerial position chooses as of right to not support Jonathan in his second term bid, though rigged election in the state to deliver for him in 2011? I thought people are saying Nigeria is democratizing; if true, how come Jonathan and others don’t understand what free will or right to choice means; must every Niger deltan, every Nigerian support Jonathan? Backwardness and close-mindedness na wah…you be real curse!

Note also that Mr. Maeba was credited with a dishonest or ignorant mention of UNEP report and Ogoni cleanup (none of them mentioned at the Bori rally) at the Tai rally (Oct. 13) after they were criticized on Facebook for not caring about such important and soul lifting project yet claiming a development initiative is underway.

Maeba was reported to have said in Vol. 10 No. 41 (Oct. 16 to 22) of Nationalnetworknewsonline.com that, “the establishment of the Banana Plantation was a deliberate attempt by the Rivers State Government to deny the Ogoni people of the UN recommended compensation and sanitization of the Ogoni contaminated soil.” He’s was quoted to have said: “The United Nations after listening to the cry of the Ogonis agreed that the soil of the Ogoni is contaminated and must be cleaned up and compensated. But, when the compensation team arrived from New York, Pharaoh (referring to Gov Amaechi) led a team of agriculturists and went to establish a banana farm, to tell them that our soil is good that they should not pay compensation and clean up the land.”

Maeba’s position above is, of course, brazen lie and naked ignorance. This is a clear misinformation that misleads public opinion, interest and the Ogoni people in particular thus must be rejected and not tolerated in Ogoni politics or elsewhere. It’s Jonathan, his master who has the responsibility to implement the UNEP recommendations in collaboration with $hell and other polluting corporations. Maeba is aware Jonathan knowingly, deliberately and deceitfully abandoned the UNEP report and crookedly replaced it with a dead-on arrival agency: Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP). So Maeba lied because he didn't understand what UNEP is or does. UNEP doesn't pay compensation; the group didn’t come from New York to pay Ogonis contrary to his claim and it also can’t on its own implement reports of the Ogoni nature it undertook. Rather, governments commission the United Nations agency based in Nairobi Kenya to perform tasks such as assessment and cleanup as Ogoni’s, which Jonathan denied and barred the agency from implementing.

We can see that the same people who supported the above plantation but have fallen apart from Amaechi’s tyrannical rulership are demonizing him and his projects since Jonathan is their new master. We can thus see that they aren't credible, as such dishonest. Why GDI if not that elections are near; why continue to disrespect and violate the rights of the Ogonis who have suffered untold hardship, scorns, their country-home destroyed and loved ones killed for their rights and environment; why the shenanigans, and are most Ogonis taken for fools?

I therefore call on all Ogonis to reject Jonathan and this deceitful grassroots development device (419) because they don’t carry our hope. They're same as other lies told by same and other Nigerian politicians/rulers who cares not for the environment, health and life of Ogonis, but sought their support, votes and oil and gas. It will be better for Ogonis to stay away and reject this gimmick, watch them rig and succeed than accept it and vote for Jonathan then abandoned as history and contemporary evidence shows. Ogonis have a duty to stand up for their rights and not submit to authorities whose only agenda is to deceive and violate their rights to development and decency; exploit and expose them to insecurity and threats to their existence. If Wike and Obuah, Maeba, Kobani and others disagree with my position, which is same as majority of Ogonis', they’d proceed with Jonathan's fiat to immediately and massively develop Ogoni alongside the cleanup and remediation, restoration work as recommended by UNEP report. When their efforts are seen before 2015 election Ogoni and the world can take them seriously. As it stands, their lies smell all over them!

Jonathan's National Conference is due to his second term fear-He May break Nigeria..., By Ben Ikari

Mr. Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to set up an advisory committee that will bring about modalities for a National or otherwise Conference in Nigeria is suspicious of his political intent and interest. Ordinarily, a genuine call of this nature, particularly if a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), which most Nigerians have demanded will not be a problem. Rather such SNC or Ethnic Nationality Conference (ENC) will be great for the peoples of the country to sit down and talk with a view to resolving lingering issues that continue to threaten the nation’s existence. Grave concerns, including the minority fears deliberately avoided during and after the Sir Henry Willink Commission of 1957-1958 can be resolved once and for all. With such boldness, trust and sincerity the peoples of the country can unite and be stronger in nation building against fears of disintegration, which is likely where disrespect, dishonesty or charades and greed pervade the talk-shop or without it.

Jonathan’s National Conference decision is, however, for his second term interest and will not achieve the above positives, unless heavy criticism, mass action or acts of commission and omission forces the hands of the clock. This is unlikely, though not impossible. This is regarding Jonathan's intent, because he hasn't talk about or to accept a National Conference until he feels sufficiently threatened and has the blessing of the Ijaw militants and some political and otherwise leaders from South-East and South-South. Meanwhile, what’s likely alongside the possible turning of the hand of the cloak, and Jonathan, his team/people aren’t confused, as a result of this threatening conference is massive and destructive strife or war, which I discussed recently. It will for the most part be between the Ijaws (Jonathan’s ethnic group) and the Hausa-Fulanis of Northern Nigeria, starting from Abuja or Jonathan's place-BAYELSA State, and could also be avoided with common sense. We can see that the level of insecurity and bloodbaths are high. Who knows what anyone is planning? Like no one knew Ijaw militants’ accidental action may grab the kind of attention it got, though others from Niger delta communities supported them and now that some success has come, Jonathan chooses to focus on his people, the Ijaw-Kalabaris alone. Thus the suggested war between Ijaws and Hausa-Fulanis of the North that may be supported by any group interested. Some may fight in self-defense to protect their territories from those who may eye their land and violate their space. Jonathan’s threatening conference could as well bring a peaceful breakup without war. This could be before the proposed conference, which might not take place until election is near in 2015 or sometimes in 2014, and if there is no military coup where the tension rises beyond words. Of course, if Jonathan runs and loses the 2015 election/selection, which is likely, there will be no conference hence the most probable conference if any will happen between 2014 and few months before 2015 election, and where Jonathan and his people/team fears not succeeding in his second term bid or shall be beaten during the election. Jonathan’s fear increases daily as his opponents seems tougher.

The New PDP seems to be pushing harder too. This fear started in 2011; the New PDP members and seven governors including Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State (Niger delta), which Jonathan depended on breakaway from the original party, thus left Jonathan with more fear. The PDP crisis and pressure on Jonathan not to run in 2015 because he promise not to, according to them forced Ijaw militants to reiterate their call for a SNC and Niger delta Republic which will come through breakup. South-East and South-South leaders also reportedly wrote to Jonathan for the same SNC call to check and stop the PDP crisis. These fears and call booster and suffice Jonathan’s decision to call this conference. So Jonathan may be serious in reverse and cause the conference, which will likely be a breakup type. Remember that many PDP governors are or may be joining the new group that breakaway. These party governors mobilize their states and help mostly through rigging to deliver needed votes and grant their presidential candidate desired winning. With these governors new camp and fears, mistrust, enemy-type situations Nigeria may be in for serious trouble even before the conference is held, if at all.

When things are placed analytically and factored on historical or contemporary scales, we can conclude that Jonathan’s conference decision is aimed at twisting the hands of opponents, especially the North, which mostly fears a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), even though the committee may not recommend the kind of Ethnic Nationality Conference they are scared of. Instructively, however, some Northerners have also said they aren’t afraid of a Sovereign National Conference or breakup. See the story in Africanspotlight.com and OSUNDefender of Oct. 3, 2013, titled: “We’re not afraid of Nigeria’s breakup,” as example. Contrary to this not afraid rhetoric other Northern Leaders or groups, especially the apex cultural and political forum, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) declared that the North will support any talk that will strengthen Nigeria. They’re against a Sovereign National Conference, “because a sovereign national conference amounts to vote of no confidence on our democracy and its institutions, which nobody or group has the right to do” (The Herald, Oct. 1, 2013). A SNC could also unite the country and re-brand it anew, only if common sense actions aimed at respecting and treating all groups and individuals equal through a new people’s constitution based upon proper federation, because Nigeria is a federation of ethnic groups, and in such arrangement all groups are equal, no matter how small or large. The more Nigerians deny this factor, the more conferences shall be called until disintegration that is inevitable, yet avoidable.

Now, the argument of the New PDP rest on their allegation that Jonathan signed or promise not to run in 2015 if he’s supported in 2011, though no agreement signed by Jonathan has been produced to support this argument. Jonathan has strongly denied signing any agreement or making such promise alleged by the breakaway PDP. What’s obvious here is that there were serious arguments amongst governors and other interest groups, politicians on whether Jonathan was qualified to run in 2011 as president having expended the remaining term of late Pres. Umaru Yaradua, who died in 2010.

An Editorial page of Premium Times, Feb. 19, 2013 has it that, “Jonathan personally promised not to run in 2015, a denial today that is bareface lie.” The page continued: At a press conference in Abuja in late 2010, a day ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s formal declaration to run in the 2011 presidential election, Mr. Dalhatu Tafida, then Director General of the Jonathan/Sambo campaign organisation, said the president won’t seek another term in 2015. The president, he said, would be available for only a single term if elected.” “I’ll not contest in 2015-Jonathan (2011),” see Daily Independent, Sept 9, 2013. “Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years” (Nigerian Vanguard, Feb. 1, 2011). The New PDP is also pointing to a 2011 statement credited to Jonathan in Ankara, Turkey, which states that “President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said he has no ambition to stay in office beyond 2015, assuring Nigerians in Diaspora that while he will not contest the 2015 election, he will ensure that this year’s election is free and fair.”

To buttress how Jonathan came about the conference decision, see some evidence of Ijaw militants’ misnamed “Niger delta militants” ’threats, though Ijaw is an ethnic group in Niger delta and not that it’s Niger delta itself which consist of many other groups. There’s been several calls for a secession conference in 2011 before Jonathan’s election/selection as president and while he’s hindered by some Northern politicians and friends in other regions from running as president or even taking over as Acting president, having been the vice to Yaradua and qualified to be president by this fact, where his boss was no more and as provided by the constitution. Other than Asari Dokubo’s recent threats as the leader of an Ijaw militant group, Nigerian Vanguard of July 12, 2011 has it that, “Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to convene a sovereign national conference, SNC, to afford Nigerians the opportunity to discuss and possibly give birth to the Republic of Niger Delta as was witnessed in Sudan, where the people met and agreed on the formation of a new nation, South Sudan Republic, without spilling blood.”

Nairaland.com also published a story on Sept. 6, 2013 titled, “Ijaw threaten secession over president’s re-election, if frustrated in 2015.” The recent threat and Sovereign National Conference and secession call was made by the militants’ alleged to be a coalition of all the groups (not MEND), Coalition for Militant Action in Niger delta (COMA), which asked Jonathan to call a SNC in the next six months, if he isn’t given the chance to contest and win a second term. The group wrote, “For decades, the Niger Delta has stayed with Northern Nigeria in its pursuit of political leadership. If the ungrateful power hungry bloc in Northern Nigeria cannot afford to stand with the Niger Delta for four more years, then our people must be allowed to peacefully decide if we will like to remain in this contraption called Nigeria” (Pointblanknews.com, Sept. 4, 2013).

Finally, as mentioned earlier the South-East and South-South leaders were also reported to have sent Jonathan a letter. They demanded a Sovereign National Conference to check and stop the PDP crisis. After all these rants and threats The Nigerian Guardian of Sept 15, 2013 ran the headline titled: “Jonathan may convene Sovereign National Conference. Of course, as mentioned inter alia, unlike the National Conferences we’ve seen government select through proxies, making them fail since the different peoples didn’t freely choose their representatives on equal strength (that’s one, two or four, even six each from all ethnic groups), a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) will bring all the ethnic nationalities forced to form Nigeria against their wishes to the roundtable for talks. They’ll renegotiation or a possible disintegration where there is no agreement due to highhandedness, dishonesty and greed to continue the culture of forcing the land and resources of others, particularly the small and perceived to be weaker groups. A SNC (or usual fail National Conference), which Jonathan must not call because he fears losing his political oil and bid for second term as it’s the case, but great if it were genuine demands that the current government structure be dismantled. That’s, the government, which Jonathan controls be dissolved and a new body that is neutral, if there is such thing as neutrality in Nigeria politics, should be formed.


This implies, to renegotiate a new Nigeria in a Sovereign National Conference there will be no functional government such as Jonathan’s capable of causing confusion or influencing the outcome of the conference for its benefit. In the case where Nigeria isn’t mature to dissolve existing government, set up a neutral body to oversee the affairs of such Conference as will be the situation. Jonathan will seize this opportunity to get fortified, influence the National Conference’s recommendations due in one month to suit his purpose or the country will disintegrate based on the demands of his militants and people, and reaction from the north and others. This shall be so if he believes he’s pushed to the wall, can’t succeed on his second term bid, thus has no escape route to feather his political ambition.



Ben Ikari, is a sociopolitical analyst, critic.

One of the biggest problems most Nigerians have other than their fraudulent nature maybe, due to the fraudulent and illegal formation of the Nigeria-contraption by the rogue British colonialists, is the obvious fact that they don't read well for proper understanding, thus rush to conclusion in most cases and cause confusion up to violent killing.

This is coupled with acute laziness and greed resulting from the presence of oil, which some groups in Niger delta such as the Ogoni, Ijaw and Ibibio have and are forced by the so-called majority ethnic groups (Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo) to suffer and die for having. Hence the political and otherwise violence that characterizes the contraption since the first republic (after 1960 independence) to date.

Meanwhile, I have watched carefully, read several posts, reactions and responses following the Goodluck Diigbo's-led MOSOP factional Declaration,and found out that more than 98 percent of Nigerians don't think critically, nor read carefully or clearly,hence lacks proper understanding in matters affecting them, especially in their reactions or responses to this Declaration for Ogoni Political Autonomy.

Self-rule or Political Autonomy, or self- government,even self-determination (in the non-sovereignty sense as is this Declaration irrespective of its manner) is consistent with the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR),structures of the Nigerian State, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights or international law, and the United Nations Convention or protocols, rules dealing with Indigenous Peoples' Rights.

None of these Nigerians and particularly the unethical media or mostly yellow envelop reporters,which ignorantly yet carefully planned the menace following the Diigbo's Declaration, can point to anywhere or anything in any of the declaration document suggesting secession,independence or sovereignty as they and the close- minded public have fabricated as a means for the greedy, incompetent, corrupt and cultist-deadly state and federal government to invade and massacre Ogoni as they do usually.

The most baffling of all the malapropists is, Dr. Ben Naanen, factional MOSOP caretaker committee chairman, whose simple interest has been reported to be the resumption of oil in Ogoni, Dr. Meshack karanwi, secretary to the above committee and Ledum Mitee,who illegally set aside MOSOP Constitution and undemocratically usurped MOSOP office for 16 years than a military dictator and also had sufficient romance with government and $hell Oil against the interest of Ogoni people.

Going by media reports, these Ogonis think the same way as most Nigerians in this case, who ignorantly believe Diigbo's action is treasonable because it's a declaration of independence, sovereignty or secession,whereas it's simply Political Autonomy within or in Nigeria as the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR unequivocally states,and as enjoyed by other groups. It's shameful to note that these so-called Ogoni-MOSOP leaders don't know or don't believe in the Ogoni quest or demand for Political Autonomy, yet claim to be leading Ogoni affairs. Pathetic!

Per the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR), and for the avoidance of doubts, please refer to the "Autonomy Option" particularly on page 95, in "Genocide in Nigeria:The Ogoni Tragedy," Ken Saro-Wiwa, 1992.

In summary, having ...considered our travails from British colonial era to Nigeria, the OBR as replicated in the above page states:That the Ogoni people wish to manage their own affairs.
Now, therefore, while reaffirming our wish to remain a part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we make demand upon the Republic as follows:
That the people of Ogoni be granted POLITICAL AUTONOMY to participate in the affairs of the Republic as a distinct and separate unit by whatever name called, provided that this Autonomy guarantees the following:
(a) Political control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people.
(B) The right to the control and use of a fair proportion of Ogoni economic resources for Ogoni development.
(C) Adequate and direct representation as of right in ALL Nigerian national institution.
(D) The use and development of Ogoni languages in Ogoni territory
(E) The full development of Ogoni culture.
(F) The right to religious freedom.
(G) The right to protect the Ogoni environment and ecology from further degradation.

Finally, therefore, to avoid all doubts, this is the position of the Ogoni people (as represented in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR)), which constitutes self-rule within Nigeria as common and appropriate within the Nigerian framework.

Goodluck Digbo's Declaration despite its modus, that's the lack of proper consultation with Nigeria and considering current faction in MOSOP, is consistent with the OBR, which demands Political Autonomy aka self-rule or government within Nigeria.
Thus it isn't an act of secession or independence nor anti-state as many ill-informed Nigerians, including illegal governor Amaechi of Rivers State have fabricated.

Political Autonomy for Ogoni is simply a state or any arrangement that guarantees the control of Ogoni Affairs by Ogoni people, like the Hausa-Fulanis, Yorubas, Igbos, Ibibios, Ijaws and others in their ethnic states, who aren't more ethnic than Ogoni.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Ben Ikari, expert on Ken Saro-Wiwa,Ogoni/Niger delta struggles
3148272874
bamckary@hotmail.com