In-case-you-are-wondering-where-we-missed-it-as-niger-deltans-read
September 7, 2020 | News
IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING WHERE WE MISSED IT AS NIGER DELTANS - READ
It is no news that the Delta State economy, the living standards of the people in the State, as well as that of those in the Niger Delta region, has greatly deteriorated, and no longer what it used to be in past decades. And many have wondered the root cause of all of this. What has led us to this deplorable state?
For me, I can unarguably say that former President Goodluck Jonathan (our fellow Niger Deltan), and his 'sister-in-crime', former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, under the then PDP-led Federal Government, were the ones who grossly abused the opportunity we had, being in the Executive Federal Government, by using their very own hands to sell/transfer our 'wealth-sources' to others in pursuit of trying to satisfy their self-centered insatiable greed. How did they do this you might ask? Well, though there are many things they did which have contributed to bringing us to where we are presently, however, there are two specific actions that stands out in all.
Firstly, former President Jonathan and his partner, Deziani, deliberately handed over/donated the Shell (SPDC) Divested oil and gas assets (which started from Delta State), to be taken over/run by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company - NPDC (a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation - NNPC), instead of allowing the original oil companies that actually bought these Divested assets to completely take them over as Operators. They did this simply because they wanted free and easy access to the oil wealth. But knowing fully well that the NNPC/NPDC were dominated to about 90% by Northerners. Jonathan and Deziani completely forgot that they will not remain at the top Government for nothing more than another four years, when they were doing all of this. And that whatever they do, especially as it relates/concerns the oil and gas sector, which remains the major source of revenue for the country; such actions will definitely affect the economic bearings of Delta State and the entire Niger Delta area.
Sadly, Jonathan and those around him then, especially Deziani, were too consumed, and more interested in what they have to personally/selfishly gain from the nation's oil and gas wealth than how they were supposed to use the opportunity they had being in power, to 'position' the sector, and other sectors, to be more favorable to the masses in the region. From that moment on, we all would agree that things have never been the same again in Delta State's economic well-being and the living standards of its people. The popular oil city of Warri and its environs for instance, practically became ghost towns, as all the usual business activities that were attracted by the activities in the extractive industry in Delta State, came to near zero. There were no more patronage of market women, private schools, and other economic activities by personnel of oil and gas companies/support service providers. In fact, since the Northern-dominated NNPC/NPDC 'tasted' more of the wealth of the extractive industry by virtue of Shell (SPDC) Divestment, and by the actions of Jonathan and Deziani, they have refused to let go. As they have continued to exert more influence by taking over more OMLs in the region, and strategically placing their people in sensitive places in the industry. Who would blame them! And besides, their brother is the one heading the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Secondly, former President Jonathan deliberately allowed the well-calculated, technical financial manipulation in the nation's Commercial Banking sector which led to transfer of ownership/wealth by the then Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under Lamido Sanusi, from the hands of South-South, South-East and South-West persons to others serving Northern interests. Jonathan, obviously blinded by his self-centered driven agenda, did this/allowed it happen under his nose, knowing fully well that the CBN was then headed by a Northerner and the place was dominated by them. As such, Sanusi's actions forced owners of some of these Commercial Banks like Oceanic Bank, Fidelity Bank, Intercontinental Bank etc., who are more from the South-South and South-East, to practically relinquish their shares/positions/ownership status in these Commercial Banks. Where did that leave our people in the scheme of things in the nation's economy? Obviously at loss!
Former President Jonathan allowed Sanusi to do all of this rubbish, and have his way in the nation's Banking Sector, thereby our people from this part of the country had their feathers cut off, which have made them incapacitated to fly. It is only from recently, that some of them are beginning to recover from what happened. But the fact remains that the did has already been done - leaving the Northerners more in the advantage. No thanks to former President Jonathan and his PDP-led Federal Government.
Now that the table has turned, and more in the favour of the North, with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of the nation's affairs, we the Southerners should not be surprised by some of the actions of Buhari. Our brother Jonathan, and his then Sister-in-crime, Deziani, were there. But THEY HAVE LOST THAT OPPORTUNITY. They allowed their greed and self-centeredness to becloud their sense of reasoning and calculations in Nigerian style of politicking. Ask past political leaders that were opportuned to be at the Presidency to lead the Federal Government - "You Don't Play Mr. Nice Guy" Or Act Like One Who is docile, indifferent and unconcerned about the vigorous interplay of politicking that usually goes on at that level of Government.
When former President Olusegun Obasanjo ascended the Presidency as a civilian in 1999, amongst the first official assignments he did then was to immediately order the relocation of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and all other Head Offices of Maritime Businesses in Abuja, which were taken there by the then Military Northern Governments of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha), from Abuja to the Lagos - South-West. The argument then for the justification of the NPA’s relocation, was that the NPA had no business in Abuja because the Federal Capital Territory has no river/coastal areas for Port activities. I remember then that I wrote to Obasanjo severally to equally order the relocation of the Head Offices of the NNPC and its strategic subsidiaries. But he did not listen to our advice, as he only did what concerns his own people.
Then when our brother Jonathan came on board, I consistently wrote him more than 20 times, which were sent through courier and electronic media, reiterating the same advice and call for him to order the relocation of the NNPC Headquarters, as well as the Head offices of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), which are the regulators and managers of the oil and gas industry on behalf of the Federal Government; to the South-South areas like Warri and environs. But former President Jonathan completely ignored all of our calls/requests/advice in this regard. Whereas, Jonathan could have used the same justification Obasanjo used to relocate the NPA to Lagos, to successfully relocate NNPC, NAPIMS and DPR Head Offices from Lagos/Abuja to the South-South States, by arguing that these Federal Government bodies ought to have their Headquarters close to where the extractive industry activities are predominant – which is the Southern areas of the country. Besides, the Three known Oil Export Terminals in the country: Shell (SPDC) Forcados Integrated Terminal in Delta State, Bonny Terminal in Rivers State and Chevron Tank Farm/export Terminal in Escrvos, Delta State, are all in the Niger Delta region. Also, all over the world, the Headquarters/Head Offices of oil and gas companies are situated where the extractive industry activities are predominant. In the United States of America (USA), every oil and gas companies Headquarters are situated in Houston, Texas, and not in New York or Washington D.C, not even in the Austin city in the Texas State capital. Same with Canada, where the oil companies’ headquarters are not in Ottawa the Capital or even in Toronto, which is like the Lagos of Nigeria, but in the City of Calgary in Alberta Province, Canada.
Now, do you think Buhari will change this narrative? I seriously doubt it. He will not make that change for the benefit of the Southerners. The South-Westerners will also not do it for us. Yes, agreed that Vice President, while in Acting capacity as President some time ago, gave a directive for the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to relocate their Headquarters from Lagos to the Niger Delta region. But this is all ‘political statements/directive because they, including Osinbajo, know very well that they cannot be asking/directing IOCS and other oil companies to relocate their Head Offices/Headquarters to the Niger Delta region, whereas, the Federal Government owned oil and gas companies (NNPC Group) Headquarters and its subsidiaries (NAPIMS and DPR), are still left in Lagos and Abuja. They know that all 'major contracts' in the industry are being awarded through NAPIMS, which is based in Lagos. And as such, every oil and gas company and servicing/contracting company wants its businesses to stay close to those who regulate and manage the industry on behalf of the Federal Government. That is why the statuesque has remained in their favour.
Still, the South-South and South-East have refused to grow up and wise up. They were busy demanding for complete ‘Resource Control’, which will never happen, and Restructuring. Whereas, if our brother Jonathan and those he took with him to the Presidency, had used the opportunity they had to make some for the above stated changes in the polity, the economic and business activities that would have resulted in the region, will greatly improve the living standards of our people, that we would not be crying for resource control or restructuring in the first place.
The truth is that in this game of Nigerian politics, YOU HAVE TO EAT UP OR BE EATEN - when it comes to STRATEGICALLY 'POSITIONING YOUR STRONGHOLDS ON THE NATION'S ECONOMIC LIVEWIRES. This was what former President Jonathan could have done with the short/opportunity he had as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Rather, he and his retinue of PDP attaches, tentacles, aides, fronts, and even friends, had a field day in pilfering and misappropriation of our collective wealth for their personal pleasures. And today, every one of them now have 'red eyes', as their ephemeral gains while in Government, have greatly depleted, and the harm they caused and left behind as legacies, have left us more in dire needs.
The funny thing about all of this, many of these people, including their supporters, have still not come to realization of what that Jonathan PDP-led Federal Government did to us as a people. Many of them, are still calling the present Buhari-led APC Federal Government unprinted names - from him being 'slow' to what have you. Yet, they fail to realize the carefully well-calculated strategies adopted and used by these Northerners to subtly decimate the socio-economic and political base/foundations of the Southern parts of the country. Just look around you today. Take a very good look at all the sectors of the Nigerian economy 'strongholds', including Security; you will see the handwritings of the President Buhari-led administration practically putting things in place in the favour of the North. In fact, even if this Federal administration eventually leaves come 2023, trust me, it will take more than a decade to 'change most of the foundations' being laid today by him.
This is being blunt, and expressing the way I see the things that are playing out in the polity. So, those who think the man in Aso Rock presently does not know what he is doing, please think again! As noted by Martins Oloja, "I want all, the knowledgeable ones, to come with me to a point where I want us to have some understanding that this Daura strong man, our current leader, is not as clueless and ignorant, after all, as most of us have been portraying him. In other words, I have a gut feeling that most of us who have always been pontificating on the vision and strategy of the Daura man in Nigeria, ARE THE ONES WHO ARE ACTUALLY CLUELESS ABOUT THE DYNAMICS, AND USE OF POWER - IN A COUNTRY WE HARDLY UNDERSTAND."
Though, there are indeed great Northerners I know, who are broad-minded, liberal and who see/take other tribes as their own/one-Nigeria, but President Buhari will never place such persons, no matter how qualified they are, to head sensitive positions in the Presidency and in his Federal administration. He would rather place those Northerners who have the same tribalistic tendencies with him, to head such sensitive positions to favour the interest of the North. Let it be reiterated here that in this country Nigeria – tribalism and nepotism is officially recognized at high levels of Government to determine and navigate the nation’s economic affairs and political power in the direction that pleases/favours those at the ruling class at any era of Government. Sadly, the South-South did not use their opportunity well when they got it at a platter of gold.
Succinctly, it is imperative for us, as the people in this part of the country, to realize where we have missed it, especially with Jonathan, and how, and where best we can try to make the needed adjustments so as not to be completely left out in the scheme of things concerning this nation. In other words, let us wake up from our slumber and delusion.
Zik Gbemre.
October 11, 2019
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
It is no news that the Delta State economy, the living standards of the people in the State, as well as that of those in the Niger Delta region, has greatly deteriorated, and no longer what it used to be in past decades. And many have wondered the root cause of all of this. What has led us to this deplorable state?
For me, I can unarguably say that former President Goodluck Jonathan (our fellow Niger Deltan), and his 'sister-in-crime', former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, under the then PDP-led Federal Government, were the ones who grossly abused the opportunity we had, being in the Executive Federal Government, by using their very own hands to sell/transfer our 'wealth-sources' to others in pursuit of trying to satisfy their self-centered insatiable greed. How did they do this you might ask? Well, though there are many things they did which have contributed to bringing us to where we are presently, however, there are two specific actions that stands out in all.
Firstly, former President Jonathan and his partner, Deziani, deliberately handed over/donated the Shell (SPDC) Divested oil and gas assets (which started from Delta State), to be taken over/run by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company - NPDC (a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation - NNPC), instead of allowing the original oil companies that actually bought these Divested assets to completely take them over as Operators. They did this simply because they wanted free and easy access to the oil wealth. But knowing fully well that the NNPC/NPDC were dominated to about 90% by Northerners. Jonathan and Deziani completely forgot that they will not remain at the top Government for nothing more than another four years, when they were doing all of this. And that whatever they do, especially as it relates/concerns the oil and gas sector, which remains the major source of revenue for the country; such actions will definitely affect the economic bearings of Delta State and the entire Niger Delta area.
Sadly, Jonathan and those around him then, especially Deziani, were too consumed, and more interested in what they have to personally/selfishly gain from the nation's oil and gas wealth than how they were supposed to use the opportunity they had being in power, to 'position' the sector, and other sectors, to be more favorable to the masses in the region. From that moment on, we all would agree that things have never been the same again in Delta State's economic well-being and the living standards of its people. The popular oil city of Warri and its environs for instance, practically became ghost towns, as all the usual business activities that were attracted by the activities in the extractive industry in Delta State, came to near zero. There were no more patronage of market women, private schools, and other economic activities by personnel of oil and gas companies/support service providers. In fact, since the Northern-dominated NNPC/NPDC 'tasted' more of the wealth of the extractive industry by virtue of Shell (SPDC) Divestment, and by the actions of Jonathan and Deziani, they have refused to let go. As they have continued to exert more influence by taking over more OMLs in the region, and strategically placing their people in sensitive places in the industry. Who would blame them! And besides, their brother is the one heading the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Secondly, former President Jonathan deliberately allowed the well-calculated, technical financial manipulation in the nation's Commercial Banking sector which led to transfer of ownership/wealth by the then Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under Lamido Sanusi, from the hands of South-South, South-East and South-West persons to others serving Northern interests. Jonathan, obviously blinded by his self-centered driven agenda, did this/allowed it happen under his nose, knowing fully well that the CBN was then headed by a Northerner and the place was dominated by them. As such, Sanusi's actions forced owners of some of these Commercial Banks like Oceanic Bank, Fidelity Bank, Intercontinental Bank etc., who are more from the South-South and South-East, to practically relinquish their shares/positions/ownership status in these Commercial Banks. Where did that leave our people in the scheme of things in the nation's economy? Obviously at loss!
Former President Jonathan allowed Sanusi to do all of this rubbish, and have his way in the nation's Banking Sector, thereby our people from this part of the country had their feathers cut off, which have made them incapacitated to fly. It is only from recently, that some of them are beginning to recover from what happened. But the fact remains that the did has already been done - leaving the Northerners more in the advantage. No thanks to former President Jonathan and his PDP-led Federal Government.
Now that the table has turned, and more in the favour of the North, with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of the nation's affairs, we the Southerners should not be surprised by some of the actions of Buhari. Our brother Jonathan, and his then Sister-in-crime, Deziani, were there. But THEY HAVE LOST THAT OPPORTUNITY. They allowed their greed and self-centeredness to becloud their sense of reasoning and calculations in Nigerian style of politicking. Ask past political leaders that were opportuned to be at the Presidency to lead the Federal Government - "You Don't Play Mr. Nice Guy" Or Act Like One Who is docile, indifferent and unconcerned about the vigorous interplay of politicking that usually goes on at that level of Government.
When former President Olusegun Obasanjo ascended the Presidency as a civilian in 1999, amongst the first official assignments he did then was to immediately order the relocation of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and all other Head Offices of Maritime Businesses in Abuja, which were taken there by the then Military Northern Governments of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha), from Abuja to the Lagos - South-West. The argument then for the justification of the NPA’s relocation, was that the NPA had no business in Abuja because the Federal Capital Territory has no river/coastal areas for Port activities. I remember then that I wrote to Obasanjo severally to equally order the relocation of the Head Offices of the NNPC and its strategic subsidiaries. But he did not listen to our advice, as he only did what concerns his own people.
Then when our brother Jonathan came on board, I consistently wrote him more than 20 times, which were sent through courier and electronic media, reiterating the same advice and call for him to order the relocation of the NNPC Headquarters, as well as the Head offices of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), which are the regulators and managers of the oil and gas industry on behalf of the Federal Government; to the South-South areas like Warri and environs. But former President Jonathan completely ignored all of our calls/requests/advice in this regard. Whereas, Jonathan could have used the same justification Obasanjo used to relocate the NPA to Lagos, to successfully relocate NNPC, NAPIMS and DPR Head Offices from Lagos/Abuja to the South-South States, by arguing that these Federal Government bodies ought to have their Headquarters close to where the extractive industry activities are predominant – which is the Southern areas of the country. Besides, the Three known Oil Export Terminals in the country: Shell (SPDC) Forcados Integrated Terminal in Delta State, Bonny Terminal in Rivers State and Chevron Tank Farm/export Terminal in Escrvos, Delta State, are all in the Niger Delta region. Also, all over the world, the Headquarters/Head Offices of oil and gas companies are situated where the extractive industry activities are predominant. In the United States of America (USA), every oil and gas companies Headquarters are situated in Houston, Texas, and not in New York or Washington D.C, not even in the Austin city in the Texas State capital. Same with Canada, where the oil companies’ headquarters are not in Ottawa the Capital or even in Toronto, which is like the Lagos of Nigeria, but in the City of Calgary in Alberta Province, Canada.
Now, do you think Buhari will change this narrative? I seriously doubt it. He will not make that change for the benefit of the Southerners. The South-Westerners will also not do it for us. Yes, agreed that Vice President, while in Acting capacity as President some time ago, gave a directive for the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to relocate their Headquarters from Lagos to the Niger Delta region. But this is all ‘political statements/directive because they, including Osinbajo, know very well that they cannot be asking/directing IOCS and other oil companies to relocate their Head Offices/Headquarters to the Niger Delta region, whereas, the Federal Government owned oil and gas companies (NNPC Group) Headquarters and its subsidiaries (NAPIMS and DPR), are still left in Lagos and Abuja. They know that all 'major contracts' in the industry are being awarded through NAPIMS, which is based in Lagos. And as such, every oil and gas company and servicing/contracting company wants its businesses to stay close to those who regulate and manage the industry on behalf of the Federal Government. That is why the statuesque has remained in their favour.
Still, the South-South and South-East have refused to grow up and wise up. They were busy demanding for complete ‘Resource Control’, which will never happen, and Restructuring. Whereas, if our brother Jonathan and those he took with him to the Presidency, had used the opportunity they had to make some for the above stated changes in the polity, the economic and business activities that would have resulted in the region, will greatly improve the living standards of our people, that we would not be crying for resource control or restructuring in the first place.
The truth is that in this game of Nigerian politics, YOU HAVE TO EAT UP OR BE EATEN - when it comes to STRATEGICALLY 'POSITIONING YOUR STRONGHOLDS ON THE NATION'S ECONOMIC LIVEWIRES. This was what former President Jonathan could have done with the short/opportunity he had as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Rather, he and his retinue of PDP attaches, tentacles, aides, fronts, and even friends, had a field day in pilfering and misappropriation of our collective wealth for their personal pleasures. And today, every one of them now have 'red eyes', as their ephemeral gains while in Government, have greatly depleted, and the harm they caused and left behind as legacies, have left us more in dire needs.
The funny thing about all of this, many of these people, including their supporters, have still not come to realization of what that Jonathan PDP-led Federal Government did to us as a people. Many of them, are still calling the present Buhari-led APC Federal Government unprinted names - from him being 'slow' to what have you. Yet, they fail to realize the carefully well-calculated strategies adopted and used by these Northerners to subtly decimate the socio-economic and political base/foundations of the Southern parts of the country. Just look around you today. Take a very good look at all the sectors of the Nigerian economy 'strongholds', including Security; you will see the handwritings of the President Buhari-led administration practically putting things in place in the favour of the North. In fact, even if this Federal administration eventually leaves come 2023, trust me, it will take more than a decade to 'change most of the foundations' being laid today by him.
This is being blunt, and expressing the way I see the things that are playing out in the polity. So, those who think the man in Aso Rock presently does not know what he is doing, please think again! As noted by Martins Oloja, "I want all, the knowledgeable ones, to come with me to a point where I want us to have some understanding that this Daura strong man, our current leader, is not as clueless and ignorant, after all, as most of us have been portraying him. In other words, I have a gut feeling that most of us who have always been pontificating on the vision and strategy of the Daura man in Nigeria, ARE THE ONES WHO ARE ACTUALLY CLUELESS ABOUT THE DYNAMICS, AND USE OF POWER - IN A COUNTRY WE HARDLY UNDERSTAND."
Though, there are indeed great Northerners I know, who are broad-minded, liberal and who see/take other tribes as their own/one-Nigeria, but President Buhari will never place such persons, no matter how qualified they are, to head sensitive positions in the Presidency and in his Federal administration. He would rather place those Northerners who have the same tribalistic tendencies with him, to head such sensitive positions to favour the interest of the North. Let it be reiterated here that in this country Nigeria – tribalism and nepotism is officially recognized at high levels of Government to determine and navigate the nation’s economic affairs and political power in the direction that pleases/favours those at the ruling class at any era of Government. Sadly, the South-South did not use their opportunity well when they got it at a platter of gold.
Succinctly, it is imperative for us, as the people in this part of the country, to realize where we have missed it, especially with Jonathan, and how, and where best we can try to make the needed adjustments so as not to be completely left out in the scheme of things concerning this nation. In other words, let us wake up from our slumber and delusion.
Zik Gbemre.
October 11, 2019
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes