Former Presidential Candidate, Mr Gbenga Olawepo Hashim writes about the debt the world owes Niger Delta.

*THE DEBT THE WORLD OWES THE NIGER DELTA*

The oil palm war in Nigeria written by ace blogger and peace advocate, Hamzat Abdulrazaq reminds us of the debt the whole world owes the region called the "Niger Delta" today.

Palm oil nut was first native to this area before it was taken abroad, and in the 19th century, provided the lubricants for the industrial machines of United Kingdom and most European countries. By the late 1800's, palm nut/oil became dominant in the trade between the region and Europe.

"Trade" in those days, were not as normal people understood it. The Europeans wanted and dictated the terms, their desire was to control, leading to battles with local chiefs such as Jaja of Opobo and Koko in Nembe. The dreaded British Navy invaded the region on January 20 1895, burning down Brass, at a period, when the invasion of Benin was also accomplished.

When we talk about the fact that Niger Delta provided the Energy for Europe and America as some middle Eastern countries started doing in the 1940's and 50's, for the Niger Delta the story started over one and half century earlier with palm oil.

Incontrovertibly, the story of the rise of Europe as an industrial power is incomplete without the story of the "black oil" from the Niger Delta. Between the late 19th century and early period of the second half of the 20th century, the Niger Delta was the foremost producer and exporter of the palm product.

Today, Nigeria hardly accounts for any significant production in palm oil. According to the National President of the Oil Palm Producers Association (OPGAN), Chief Joe Onyuike, Nigeria imports 80% of her current need and requires investment of about 500m USD to bridge the gap.

Over the centuries, about 40 industries utilise the palm nut oil as raw materials. They include Soap, Magarine, Chocolate, tooth paste etc. Yet, it was from the Niger Delta that the first seedlings of this important crop traveled to the world. Next time, when you see the thriving fourty industries associated with the "black oil", remember the sweat and the blood of the Niger Delta people, as well as the historic contribution of their land.

As it was with Palm oil, so also it was with cocoa from the South West, and the hide and skin of Northern Nigeria and the cotton. Nigeria and indeed Africa made enormous unpaid for, and unacknowledged contributions to the wealth of the world.

Turning to the mass production of those things that made us more relevant some two centuries ago, and using them to feed the associated industries at home in Nigeria, holds the key to our industrialization and sustainable employment.

*Gbenga Olawepo Hashim*

Such a nice post .

Jennifer663:
Such a nice post .

Most people are not interested in posts like this actually

True facts but most of their leaders self them off.