The Ogoni experience

Charity Nenebari Ebeh

Contents

Ulla Lehtinen: "Indigenous peoples and oil" events in Finland 1999 

Olli Tammilehto: A civilised world or a bloodsucker of the earth? 

Background information on oil 

Russia's oil production 

Florian Stammler: Where does our oil come from? 

Yeremei Aipin: Russia's oil industry and the development of rights of indigenous people 

Agrafena Sopochina: "We Live on what the earth carries on itself" 

Yuri Vella: Kogalym-Lor - the lake where a man died 

Bruce Forbes: Industrial development in the Yamal-Nenets Area 

Lidia Okotetto: I no longer understand the tundra that has loved me 

Grigorii Anagurichi: A clash of civilisations at the ends of the world 

Charity Nenebari Ebeh: The Ogoni experience 

Magda Lanuza: Oil production in Central America 

Ecuador and oil 

Arturo Yumbai Iligama: The war against the poor 

Colombia, the U'wa and oil 

Roberto Afanador Cobaria: Oil is blood of the earth 

Workshop 1: The strategies of oil industry and the responses of indigenous peoples' movements 

Workshop 2: Networking of indigenous peoples threatened by oil and gas exploration 

Workshop 3: Northern Dimension

Communique of the participants in the seminar "Indigenous Peoples and Oil" 

Internet links

Nigeria, the giant of Africa and the most populous black nation of the world, is totally dependent on a single export commodity - Oil. She is the fifth largest producer of crude oil in the world. There has been a progressive increase in the oil revenue from a paltry 5.9% in 1964 to a staggering 90% and above, of Nigeria's foreign exchange today.

Although Nigeria has major tribes such as Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo, yet oil in Nigeria is carefully placed by God on the land of the minority groups such as the Edo, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Ikwere, Isoko, Isekiri, Kalabari, Ogoni and others which, because of their small numbers, have little or no say in resource allocation and development. However, the worst hit of the groups is Ogoniland. 

In Nigeria revenue-poor areas that incidentally form the majority of the population argue that the wealth of the country should be distributed for the greater good of the all irrespective of where it is derived. Revenue-rich areas including Ogoniland argue that they should have more control over resources that come from their land since they have to bear the brunt of pollution that the petroleum industry generates. 

Background on Ogoni

The Ogoni are a distinct ethnic group within Nigeria. The territory forms part of the eastern-most extension of the mainland fringe bordering the eastern Niger Delta. Covering a total area of approximately 404 square miles (appr. 1,000 km2), it forms part of the coastal plain terraces, which from here appears as a gently sloping plateau. The Ogoni number an estimated 500,000 people and its population density of about 1,250 persons per square mile (490 persons/km2) compared with the national average of 300 per square mile, is among the highest in any rural area of the world.

Before the advent of colonialism, there was a very well established social system and with its rich plateau soil, Ogoni was a blessed land. The fresh water streams and the surrounding seas brimmed with fish, the forests had an abundance of animals and hard wood preserved by the environmentally conscious Ogoni. The Ogoni who are known to be very hard working and fiercely independent were competent farmers and fishermen, producing food not only for their subsistence but for most of the Niger Delta and its northern neighbours.

The Ogoni Campaign

In the past 30 years, the contribution of Ogoniland to the polity of Nigeria has been immense yet there is absolutely nothing to show for such sacrifice. Ogoni realised that she was being milked dry to sustain and build the other dry lands into cities of international repute. You may wish to know that the joy of Lagos and indeed Abuja and the other excellent layouts are the beauty drops of Ogoni tears. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) was born as a child of circumstance whose primary duty is to cry out with a view to stop the extinction planned against Ogoniland, through impoverishment, marginalisation, depression, suppression, oppression, degradation, devastation and destruction. The majority tribes have nothing to offer the minority as they have used political might to appropriate economic strength. Just like their father the devil, they have come only to steal, kill and destroy for self-satisfaction.

MOSOP is therefore the most popular non-governmental organisation (NGO) advocating for the basic rights of the Ogoni people. In the Ogoni Bill of Rights are the following demands:

That the Ogoni people 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 control and use a fair proportion of Ogoni economic resources for Ogoni development.

(c) Adequate and direct representation as a right in all Nigerian national institutions.

(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.

It is actually worrying that Nigeria, despite the cries of Ogoni, has not thought it worthwhile to create an "Ogoni State" within the polity of our country. 

Federation of Ogoni Women's Association (FOWA)

It has to be noted that MOSOP runs a coherent and strong mobilisation policy in a highly motivated effort to embrace all segments of Ogoni. The affiliates of MOSOP include the following:

• NYCOP - National Youth Council of Ogoni People

• FOWA - Federation of Ogoni Women's Association

• OCU - Ogoni Central Union

• COP - Council of Ogoni Professionals

• COTRA - Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers Association

• OTU - Ogoni Teachers Union

• NUOS - National Union of Ogoni Students

• COC - Council of Ogoni Churches and Ministers

• OSU - Ogoni Students Union.

FOWA is the Women's Wing of MOSOP that a few of us were fortunate to be part of from the beginning. Its formation took the form of a vigorous campaign throughout the seven administrative units of Ogoniland, including Bori - the National Territory of the Ogoni People.

Women are a special breed of the society and face a number of problems in Ogoniland. One should not lose sight of the fact that the whole family life of any society is dependent on women. Can a woman's tender eye cease toward the child she bears? The women are constantly overseeing the children and men. It is the women that have borne and continue to bear the brunt of the repression in Ogoniland.

FOWA is organising women as a feminine voice of appeal to break the tyrannical hearts of despots in Ogoniland. It serves as a persuasive voice of the struggle and an information channel to capture and retain the grassroots for MOSOP. The Ogoni women meet in the forests to pray at nights in the face of repression after long distance trekking in small groups from their villages to avoid attracting the attention of the "occupation army" in Ogoni. Most of the times they disguise as if going to the farm. There have been many occasions when these women have been harassed and stampeded in the forest at night with many of them sustaining injuries. 

Ogoni Women and Poverty

It is of great concern that abject poverty has overrun Ogoniland. Poverty has taken on physical form and actually walking the length and breath of Ogoniland unhindered. This is the greatest disease among the people and yet no prescription has been offered by Good Samaritans far or near. FOWA can no longer keep silent in the face of this monster of rapid destruction called poverty.

We are making an open appeal all our friends to come to the aid of FOWA and indeed Ogoniland to reverse this ugly trend without further delay. 

There is high rate of unemployment or, shall we say no employment at all for the people of Ogoniland in the midst of abundant provisions by God. It is a great worry for FOWA that our children rot away in want. Ogoniland houses a number of great industrial concerns that sustain Nigeria, such as two large refineries, the petro-chemical complex, the National Fertilizer Company (NAFCON), etc. How can the people of a land flowing with milk and honey be so treated? "Let us not muzzle the mouth of the ox that threads the corn." 1 Corinthians 9:9.

Poverty has brought a lot of social hazards to Ogoniland. We also know that poverty has its twin brother, health problem, when one lives in sub-standard condition. The fear of FOWA is that the hydra-headed monster called poverty is capable of derailing the Ogoni struggle for survival. It is like a device to force the people into flirting with Shell in an unwholesome alliance. Poverty exposes our youths to prostitution and other social vices. No one builds on such negative indices. 

The Call to Service

The greatest service or duty of man is to be our brother's keeper. FOWA wishes to call on public-spirited individuals, organisations, and concerned nations of the world to come to the aid of FOWA and her children in Ogoniland. 

We require job-creating services to turn around the lives of the people and let them know that the world is interested in their plight. We are actually grateful to all assistance and support Ogoni has received from you right from the beginning of the struggle.

FOWA wants her displaced members (refugees) to be able to return to their homeland in Afam, Lekuma, Oloko I, Oloko II, Tumbee, Gbaken, Nwenkova and Eemu. How could women be forced into exile from their land - for years now?

FOWA and Women Exposure in Ogoni

Our women do not have good opportunities to be exposed. Good exposure definitely has to do with some form of education. Poverty makes parents to prefer sending a male child to school, when they can afford. What then is the fate of a female child in Ogoniland?

FOWA wants more schools - girls' schools to be built in Ogoniland to cater for women's education. It is commonly said that if you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a nation.

FOWA is currently planning programmes that would lift up the Ogoni women. There is no potable water in Ogoniland because of oil pollution and associated environmental hazards. There is no cold store in Ogoniland to assist the women easily purchase domestic protein needs. They have to travel far to Port Harcourt at great cost and many women cannot afford this. FOWA desires to hold enlightenment programmes to teach our women how to purify water for domestic use and help reduce the associated waterborne diseases. It is possible for somebody or groups of persons to assist in sinking boreholes in Ogoniland to help in this direction. 

It is also the wish of FOWA that Ogoni women be taught other skills such as sewing, through the establishment of a Fashion and Designing Institute in Bori. Many women can acquire these skills if a number of sewing machines are made available. Computer literacy is another vital skill in the present era that can be taught our women. 

Conclusion

The world as you know is a global village and it shows that we are all God's creation. This is why what affects Ogoniland should be of concern to the entire world. Geographical location is a matter of political division for administrative convenience. We are neighbours. This means that we have a common future and so must watch our environment for sustainable development.

FOWA wants both government and the companies to dialogue with MOSOP, the only accredited representative of the Ogoni people. 

I have greetings from FOWA Women to you all. We wish you success in all your endeavours.

The Effects of Oil and Gas Production on the Lives of Ogoni and Ijaw Land of the Niger Delta

Shell started its work of exploitation and exploration of oil in Ogoniland in 1958 and even earlier in the land of the Ijaw people. But instead of signing an agreement with the owners of the land they rather preferred to enter into an agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria. Neither Shell nor the Federal Government remembered that the land they were interested in belongs to the people and that those people need to be consulted before any business is started.

Our God-given blessing was, therefore, shared by two parties who do not even own it while the real owners were left out.

The effects of oil and gas on the lands of the Ogoni and Ijaw range from soil and air to water pollution and they even adversely affect the health of the people.

Soil pollution

Ogoni and the Ijaw of the Niger Delta are mainly farmers and fishermen. Oil spillage on our land has rendered our land, crops, and even the economic trees on the land useless. Where there are no spills, access roads are opened, and our crops, school buildings and houses are bulldozed out to give way to the oil facilities. Our people are thereby placed in a situation of abject poverty since they can no longer farm their land.

Water pollution

The spillage from oil has polluted our sources of water supply. We no longer have good drinking water.

As a result of oil spillage Ogoni and Ijaw fishermen have not only lost their occupation, but also their rich sources of protein have been destroyed. We all know the importance of protein to good health. If nothing is done about this in the near future, the Ogoni and the Ijaw of the Niger Delta may suffer lots of health problems that may even lead to people dying due to lack of protein in their meals.

One of the most visible casualties of the oil spills has been the loss of mangrove trees in the Swamps1. The mangrove which were a source of firewood and habitat for thriving wealth or seafood such as oysters, crabs, and mussels have been unable to survive the toxicity of oil and are now being replaced by some useless palms.

Crude oil has also poisoned the mud banks, which formerly were homes to periwinkles, mudskippers, clams and crabs. Our fishermen are thereby forced into poverty.

Air pollution

Apart from spillage, the other most notorious action of Shell is the flaring of gas in the middle of villages or very close to human habitation. These are clearly seen in the areas of B. Dere, K. Dere, Kpean, and Oloibiri to mention just a few. Flaring of gas has destroyed wildlife and plant life and poisoned the atmosphere and made the residents of surrounding areas half-deaf and prone to serious respiratory diseases. Whenever it rains, all we have is acid rain, which further poisons watercourses and agricultural land. High-pressure pumps are not buried, but criss-cross Ogoni and Ijaw villages. These use up valuable land and cause danger to the people as they do occasionally burst. 

Health hazards

Bad drinking water at most homes causes our people to have diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and diarrhoea, which sometimes lead to death. The Shell tankers collecting oil from our land do knock down our people and drive away without compensation. 

In fact, since late 1950's Shell has commenced exploitation in Ogoni and Ijaw land. An estimated 30 billion US dollars worth of oil and gas has been carried out of our land and we have got nothing in return. Whilst we still lack basic services such as electricity, pipe-borne water, good schools, good roads and any amenities for meaningful existence, oil exploitation and exploration have turned our home lands into a waste.

Charity Nenebari Ebeh is from Ogoniland, situated in the delta area of the Niger river. She was the first woman to join the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and the Ogoni struggle for basic human rights led by late author Ken Saro-Wiwa. Presently, she is a principal at a secondary school in Rivers State and the publicity secretary of Federation of Ogoni Women's Associations (FOWA).

1. The mangrove forests of the Niger Delta are one of the most important wetlands ecosystems of the world (editor's note).