₦airaland Forum

WE ALL NEED AN EL RUFAI.

Omen Bassey, Esq.

I had long learnt that life isn't a straight line. We can only do our best to avoid troubles but we can't predict the twists and turns of our lives.

Apart from God, we all need a friend who can stand by us through thick an thin; a friend who celebrates our achievements and helps to ameliorate our failures. In fact, we all need an El Rufai.

El Rufai has demonstrated an uncommon friendship and exemplary solidarity with his friend, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi in his moment of great trial and isolation.

The Governor could have distanced himself from Sanusi and could conveniently describe his travails as self inflicted. He could have attributed his dethronement to his arrogance, stubbornness, carelessness, loquaciousness etc.

After all, he is a Governor and Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi's traducer, Alhaji Abdullahi Gandule isn't just a fellow Governor but his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Rather, immediately after the announcement of the dethronement, he gave him two appointments in about twenty four hours and immediately went ahead to visit him at Awe, Nassarawa State where he was banished to. These gestures aren't as easy as people think. He has risked a lot, and probably his relationships to do these.

One important lesson to be learnt from El Rufai's gestures is the need to befriend those who share our values and understand our worldviews. Friendships struck only on the altar of shared opportunities will seldom survive seasons of trials and adversities.

El Rufai as Governor could claim to be too busy and too overwhelmed by state matters to even give a serious thought to the plight of his friend, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

It's not about money or even the appointments. As former Managing Director of First Bank PLC, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), world renowned Economist and internationally recognised corporate guru, many big organisations and blue chip companies will be willing to benefit from his wealth of experience.

What he needs most at this critical time of his life is encouragement from genuine friends and understanding relations. This is exactly what his friend, Mallam Nasir El Rufai is offering and relentlessly so.

Like Sanusi, we all need an El Rufai.

EMIR SANUSI: WHEN DETHRONEMENT MEANS FREEDOM.

Omen Bassey, Esq.

I'm not surprised at the dethronement of Emir Muhammad Sanusi 11. I was only surprised that upon leaving office as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), his next passion was to become the Emir of Kano.

He probably didn't see the several confrontations with the Kano State government coming. The deposed Emir is a rare Nigerian who holds very strong anti establishment views. He isn't cut out for a malleable and subservient role.

He's not just very vocal, he is blunt to a fault. He relentlessly criticises governments and the ruling class. This is a bit unusual in this clime. It's the reason I'm not surprised he's been given the boot. It's also the reason I consider him a rare Nigerian.

Why are supporters of GEJ attributing his dethronement to his supposed opposition to the former President while serving as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)? This is funny indeed.

The man's activities and utterances even as Emir of Kano show clearly that he would have done same even if he served under PMB and circumstances were the same.

There's no wisdom in attributing any serious misfortune experienced by those who opposed GEJ in 2015 to the role they played in his defeat. If those who opposed him are suffering misfortunes, it means those who supported him are enjoying blessings.

What of millions of Nigerians who experience various adversities? Are they suffering because of GEJ?

Emir Sanusi would still have been deposed in the same circumstances even if he was GEJ's favourite friend.

Saraki probably wouldn't have been Senate President if he supported GEJ to win re-election. Why do GEJ fanatics list him as one of the victims of their Principal's retribution? Does it make sense?

Why mention Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as one of his victims simply because he lost the last presidential election? The same people who passionately campaigned for him. You knew the God of GEJ won't let him win and you still campaigned for him?

Who defeated him? Was PMB who beat him a supporter of GEJ in 2015?

Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi is my favourite northern leader. He's a non conformist by any stretch of imagination. The man is wired in a way that speaking his mind is like oxygen to him. I have a very little of this tendency. Those who like speaking their minds can't exchange their voices with anything.

The man is too empowered to be stranded or jobless. For Emir Sanusi, the encumbrances have been removed. He's now free to bare his mind without being accused of breaching any official Code of Conduct.

Sanusi wanted to sit on the throne of his fathers. He didn't have to sit forever to actualize that dream.

ORO RIGHTS, I ALMOST GAVE UP (Part 1)

By Lovestic Esu

After reading several articles specifically from Godswill Ekpenyong, my night was restless, turbulent and bittered. Going through ( Oro Virtual Union (OVU) platform, I found unexplainable tears, sadness engulfing my entire life. I felt we are not just marginalised, neglected but outrightly rejected in our fatherland.

I found myself unable to sleep nor go to office for three days. I was restless, traumatised and disorganized. Seeing my people, the tribe with the largest oil in Nigeria suffering in the midst of wealth. Seeing strangers making billions from our oil while we remain in penury, provoked the me in me. I was hurt, embittered and violent in my spirit.

The way and manner Akwa Ibom State government marginalised Oro politically, economically and in terms of infrastructure in spite of their enormous wealth and God given resources is barbaric and ungodly. I have never seen this level hatred meted on Oro by our Ibibio and Anang Brothers anywhere in the world.

At times I wonder ,whether our wealth is bringing us curse, hatred and death. Candidly, it's only Oro that doesn't have any major road in the entire Akwa Ibom. It's only Oro that doesn't have any new roads over 20years now constructed by either Federal or State government. Yet, Oro has the largest oil in Nigeria.

It's the sum total of above inhuman treatment meted on Oro that invoked the protest. Consciously or unconsciously, knowing or unknowingly, I summoned my people for a peaceful protest, the responds was amazing. The turn out was unprecedented .It was as if entire oronians were waiting for it.

On Monday, 24th February 2020, the world stand still for innocent Oronians. We staged first ever uncommon peaceful protest that shakes the entire fabric of our State. Oro youths, men and women came out in an unprecedented number to agitate for their rights. I saw love, unity and brotherliness. I saw sincerity and readiness to reclaim their rights.

AKWA IBOM STATE: WHO ARE THE REAL TRIBALISTS (Part1).

By Omen Bassey

Someone made a post yesterday where he admonished Oro people against tribalizing the agitation for the recognition of the five Local Government Areas of Oro Nation as oil producing/host communities.

Can hypocrisy be worse than this? This is the same blackmail that has made it impossible for Oro leaders in government to communicate the frustrations, yearnings and expectations of their people to the authorities. Nobody wants to be labelled a tribalist. Really!!! Who is deceiving who? The result, as we can all see is that things are falling apart.

I have been wondering why it's possible for Akwa Ibom people to communicate the interests of the State to the federal government and even fight for their actualization while it's a crime for its different components to publicly express their frustrations within the State. Who are the tribalists in this State?

Why did we fight for the implementation of the 13% derivation fund and later the abrogation of the onshore/offshore dichotomy? Why didn't we act like true Nigerians and leave the money for the nation? Aren't we in the same country?

Are we saying Akwa Ibom people were sectional and tribalistic to have fought for the State? This level of hypocrisy is actually sickening.

Is the State saying the marginalisation Oro is crying about is false? Or is it a mere happenstance?

Can't we see a clear evidence of tribalism in the development of this State? Who are the real tribalists?

I thank people like Daniel Etokidem who have braved the odds to bare their minds on the evil going on in the State. These are the kind of people who deserve respect. Not the small minded oppressors who mouth Akwa Ibom State while working only for their families and immediate communities.

Only broad minded guys with a sense of truth like Daniel can help this State.

One Akwa Ibom is very possible. I personally crave for it. It can never be achieved through hypocrisy and insensitivity. Justice and fairness are the pathways to a state where peace, oneness and brotherhood reign supreme.

OIL PROTEST: There's Oil In Oro Nation -A'Ibom State Government

By Emmanuel Eneyo

The Akwa Ibom State Government has confirmed that the Oro communities in the state is hugely endowed with natural resources. The commissioner for Environment and Petroleum Resources, Barr. Ekong Sampson said this during a radio Interview with Planet FM in Uyo.

"There is Oil in Oro nation, no doubt about that. Oro nation is a very important part of Akwa Ibom State. They are hugely endowed. Their right will be protected by the Government". He stated.

The Oro Nation is the third largest ethnic group in the state with five local government areas, Mbo, Okobo, Oron, Urue-Offong/Oruko and Udung Uko. The five communities is the highest oil Producing communities in Nigeria and West Africa.

It will be recalled that on Monday, 24th February 2020, the youths, men and women of the five communities staged a peaceful protest in Oron town against the marginalisation of Oro ethnic nationality over the non-recognition of the area as oil producing/host communities by the State government.

However, A-14-day ultimatum was given to Federal, State Government and IOCs operating in the area.

MARGINALIZATION OF OIL AND GAS PRODUCING COMMUNITIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE; A CASE OF ORO NATION.

By Tarila Ekeuwei, Uyo.

The Oil and Gas Industry is rightly adjudged as the major contributant to the economies of developed countries as well as the economies of emerging and developing countries around the globe. This is majorly attributed to the growing technology of the world, which, needless to say, may not thrive effectively without the use of oil and gas products as natural gas, petrol, gasoline, lubricants, kerosene, asphalt oil, liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG); etc.

For the Oil producing countries, investment in the production and development of these products have always been a tradition. Following this is a simultaneous development of the communities, areas, towns, and cities where the exploration and production of these products are done. For example, Abu Dhabi which is the largest oil producing city in The United Arab Emirates (UAE) which also sits as her capital is one of the most developed cities in the world. The city which is largely developed with tributariness of qualitative roads, airports, electricity and bewildering technologies holds 9% of world proven oil reserve at 98.2bn barrels. Other developed oil and gas producing cities and towns which follow after includes Houston (USA), Stavanger (Norway), Calgary (Canada), and more.

However in this part of Africa, development of oil and gas producing localities is a scarce and moreso, a scary practice. Such is the case Oro (consisting of five local governments; including, Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Urue offong Oruko and Udung Uko Local governments) which just like the Hassi Messaoud of Algeria constitutes the major exploratory shores of oil and gas in Akwa Ibom State, and Nigeria as a whole. The area which squares a total 63sqmi land mass is rammed in oil and natural gas amongst other resources which makes it closely one of the largest oil and gas producing areas in Africa. Extensively, the oil rich area has accounted for more than 25% of Akwa Ibom State's 31.4% of the total oil produced daily in Nigeria, making the State sit as the highest oil producing state in Nigeria.

In sane thoughts, it would be expected that the Oro nation (as it fondly called) would be a sheen and exceptional haven of development boasting of exquisite basic amenities such as good roads, constant electricity, industries, recreational centres, hotels, housing systems, sea ports and a robust economy with massive employment opportunities. But hitherto, it is rather sardonic to state that the area is deficient of all the amenities mentioned above.

According to the indigenes and residents of the area, the Oro nation has been constantly marginalized by the both the State and Federal governments. Unlike is the case in saner climes mentioned above, the area is deficient of amenities and industries which would contribute reverberated development within her climes. Corroborating this fact is a list issued by the State government in January, 2020 to Exxon Mobil, the major oil producing company in Akwa Ibom State, recognizing the Oil and Gas producing communities in the state. Surprisingly, none of the communities in Oro nation was included in the list.

This malignant development has sparked outrage amongst the big wigs, youths, and every child of Oro nation as they gathered on Monday, 24th of February to protest against the bigotry on the part of the Akwa Ibom State government. In cases like this, one would tend to wonder if development of an area should in actuality be an act of ethnic popularity or economic productivity.

The Oro nation therefore beckon on the Akwa Ibom State and in extension, the federal government to review her stay as it concerns the recognition and development of Oro nation as oil and Gas producing area.

#Enough is Enough

Oro Oil Crisis: When Democracy Is Deaf

By Dan Etokidem, Uyo.

Asking if Oro nation is an oil producing area is like asking if Jesus Christ is the son of God.

Lets go down memory lane!

At the creation of Akwa Ibom state, Oro NEVER intended becoming part of this state. They were to remain in Cross River. An Annang man, Dr Ime Umanah (God bless his soul) pleaded with the Oro people that should they allow the Annang's alone be part of Akwa Ibom, the Ibibio's will dominate & marginalize them beyond human comprehension. He begged that there was need for Oro to be part of Akwa Ibom, that way, both minority ethnic group (Annang & Oro) could draw strength from each other.

Ime Umanah reached out to Etim Inyang from Oro who was one of the inner circle or kitchen cabinet member of the IBB regime on this and that was how at the 11th hour, Oro was included as part of present day Akwa Ibom. In fact, the name Oron was written last minute with a read pen by President Ibrahim Babangida just moments before he announced the state's creation in a national broadcast.

Back to the present agitation.

Are we honest to attribute the present crisis & agitation of the Oro nation on the Federal Government? Certainly no.

Few years ago, the national assembly sent a team to Oro on a fact finding mission. The team visited Oro by land, air & sea and saw for themselves that the five LGA's of Oro Nation were both Oil Bearing & Oil Producing. A resolution of the National Assembly followed & the then President, through the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) wrote a letter to the AKSG during the Akpabio administration asking for the recognition & proclamation of Oro Nation as an Oil and Gas Producing Area. The FG, as far as am concerned had done what was required by law to do. We are our problem.

Now let's ask ourselves some fundamental questions and seek honest answers.

Is Oro an Oil and Gas Producing Area? Yes.

The 96 oil wells that were added to Akwa Ibom in 2011 that gave us the status of being the highest oil producing state in Nigeria & receiving the highest allocation that led to our jubilating are all located where? Oro.

Where are majority of the oil wells that triggered the Nigeria vs Cameroon crisis located? Oro.

Where is the only place oil is being drilled on land (On Shore) in Akwa Ibom presently by Univeral Energy? In Oro.

If we agree that majority of Akwa Ibom state oil comes from the Atlantic Ocean, which area in present day Akwa Ibom is closest & share boundary to the Atlantic ocean? Oro.

All the oil companies operating in Akwa Ibom drill majority of their oil from where even if they have platforms and offices elsewhere? Oro waters.

75% of Akwa Ibom state oil is drilled from where? Oro waters.

Do you know that there are some oil platforms in Akwa Ibom not accessed from Eket or Ibeno but they fly directly from Port Harcourt and Lagos via Helicopter. Where are they all located? Oro.

Majority of Mobil's oil wells in Akwa Ibom are located where? Oro waters. Yet even Mobil treats the Oro issue with levity & disdain, (typical of Mobil though)
Mobil must realise a time bomb is ticking. But do they care? Have they always cared?

Our political hypocrisy is amazing. Some claim Oro is not an Oil and Gas Producing Area but Nsit Ubium is. Isn't it? Haba! What manner of disruptive politics do we play in Akwa Ibom ? Why do we play politics that will erupt & consume us all as a state?

The Oro Nation are not asking us for a favour. It is their right. Let's give to Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser. There should be honour even among "thieves" let alone a state named after God. Let's stop marginalizing ourselves and our people in the name of God but without the consent of God.

Peace is in jeopardy!
Cherish it while it lasts!
Pray that it endures!

IS OIL THICKER THAN BLOOD: The Quest For A Pan-Akwa Ibom Governor.

By Michael Uye, Uyo

I would like to commence by positing that all governors who have managed Akwa Ibom right from creation, whether military or civilian, are complicit in the satanic conspiracy to subjugate the Oro people. Some of them may have been deliberate and others through their inactions.

One begins to wonder: what is the end point of starving Oro, politically and economically?
What is the foundation for this brazen Oro-phobia?
If the Oro nation is not considered a threat, why is the State evidently up in arms against her vis-a-vis the policies of successive administrations?

There are copious evidentiary documents proving this State was founded on a tripodial brotherhood of Ibibio, Annang and Oro in that decreasing order of democratic privilege - some even say, there was a time when the sharing formula was 5:3:2!

Akwa Ibom State was supposed to be a brotherhood, a model of inclusive politics. But it seems the love for controlling the power that controls our State's petrodollars supercedes every other considerations. It seems Oil Is Thicker Than Blood!

The truth however is that by its overt and covert attempt to put the Oro nation down, Akwa Ibom State has unwittingly denied itself a huge economic and political leverage within the Nigerian Project.

Today I witnessed first hand and relived the potent and raw energy and guts of the Oro youths. If today's protest was a warning shot, one begins to wonder how the real thing will look like.

But we can avoid that with a pan-Akwa Ibom vision generated by a pan-Akwa Ibom Governor. 2023 is a few weeks away. Will it reset Akwa Ibom politics to the Tripod arrangement, which in my estimation engenders greater unity, peace, development and cohesive national engagements or will it further entrench the con man's sharing formula called senatorial politics?

ORO YOUTHS SHUT DOWN ORON TOWN OVER OIL PROTEST.

... Issued 14 Days Ultimatum to Government, NDDC, MOBIL.

By Emmanuel Atteh, Uyo

Following the non inclusion and recognition of Oro nation as core oil producing communities in Akwa ibom state, the youths of the five local government areas in Oro, today took to major streets in the ancient town of Oron on a warning and peaceful protest to drive home their demands.

The protest which was led by Mr Lovestic Esu, a lawyer, saw eminent youth leaders of Oro addressed the rally, which ended at the Oron Civic Center, where the youths numbering over hundred, were addressed by the President General of Oron Union, Ulap Bishop Etim Ante.

The speakers at the event accused the Federal Government, the State Government, NDDC and Exxon mobil as those responsible for the non inclusion and recognition of Oro among core oil producing communities in the state.

Also present at the event were the Vice President of Oron Union, Comrade Ita Omunam, the woman leader of Oron Union, Mrs Felicia Essang, Barr Omen Bassey among others.

See details of the protest in the pictorials Bellow:

Youths of Oro Nation in Akwa Ibom are today Monday, 24th February 2020 protesting non recognition of the area as oil producing communities by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

Vehicular movement and economic activities are shut down within Oron Town on Monday.

The youths under the aegis of Oro Youth Congress have threatened to halt activities of all oil companies operating in the zone after 14 days of inaction by the federal and state governments, as well as the IOCs.

The 14 days ultimatum counts from Monday, 24th February, 2020.