Ijaw Nation started carrying the socio-economic burden of the over 350 tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria since the first discovery of crude oil and gas in the whole of West Africa at Otabagi-Oloibiri in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in 1956.
When we take a closer look at the Nigerian map, the discovery should provoke a deeper reflection for every right thinking person.
The map is likened to a giant that has very big body frame with tiny legs. The tiny legs here are the geographic Niger Delta tribes with Ijaw as the dominant tribe.
Sadly, despite her unquantifiable contributions and sacrifices, the tiny legs carrying the giant are given crumbs out of the lots that will only sustain them while the misguided exploration and exploitation last.
It is an indisputable fact that large quantities of crude oil and gas that are found in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States are deposited in Ijaw territories. Bayelsa State that is the only homogeneous Ijaw state in the country also contributed unimaginable quantities of crude oil and gas.
Ijaw Nation presently owns and contributes well over 65% of the crude oil and gas wealth in Nigeria, but how are Ijaw people treated?
Beyond crude oil and gas, Ijaw Nation is blessed with other abundant natural resources, including sea and ocean, where the vast wealth of every nation is domicile.
For instance, Bayelsa State owns the longest coastline in Nigeria that measures well over 203 kilometers. We have not added Ibeno and Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom state, Bonny and Bille in Rivers State and Burutu and Ogulagha in Delta State.
Ijaw Nation is also blessed with abundant human resources. It has some of the best brains in all fields of human endeavours. Ijaw Nation does not lack leadership at all levels. Ijaw has some of the best brains that will help to manage her abundant natural resources and transform Ijaw territories into some of the best environments in the world.
Ijaw leaders like Navy Commander Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff now His Royal Majesty, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass and Chief (Sen.) Dr. Melford Obiene Okilo helped to lay the solid foundation for the prosperity of Rivers State. Gov. Douye Diri and Gov. Siminalayi Fubara are also doing excellent works in Bayelsa and Rivers states, respectively.
But in the midst of the above abundant human and natural resources, Ijaw Nation has continued to receive shabby and disdainful treatments.
The case of the Ijaw Nation is like the scenario in the book of Ecclesiastes 10:7 in the Bible (KJV), which states: “I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.”
Ijaw people who own abundant natural resources are hungry, while those who do not know the colour of crude oil are living large.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, was built with money from the Niger Delta. You can name other cities. But what is the fate and state of the Niger Delta, particularly Ijaw territories? Bridges are criss-crossing dry lands in Abuja that do not have rivers, while there are no bridges in Ijaw land where there are many rivers and creeks.
Ironically, while the crude oil and gas in the Niger Delta and other resources therein belong to all Nigerians, gold, uranium and other natural resources in other parts of the country are exclusive preserve of the owners of the land where they are deposited.
The above injustice and criminality can not be allowed to continue.
Nigeria fashioned her democracy after that of the United States of America. In the US, component and federating units control natural resources that are domicile in them and they pay royalty to the centre. The highly commendable practice in the US does not only encourage healthy competition, it also enhances rapid socio-economic growth and development.
Moving forward, Ijaw Nation should never think that those who are feeding fat with her abundant natural resources will ever voluntarily relinquish their firm grip. It is left for Ijaws to demand for their rights.
Gladly, Nigeria is presently at a very defining moment that is full of uncertainties. This is the best time to demand for renegotiation of everything.
Fortunately too, the United States of America that is the world policeman is here in Nigeria. They are beaming their search and satellite light everywhere.
This is not time for docility. The political class in Ijaw land cannot talk for obvious reasons. The political class in Yoruba land do not talk too. It is their socio-cultural and pressure groups that speak and systems and authorities listen.
Presently, the Spirit of the Time is in favour of the Ijaw Nation.
Many may want to know what the “Spirit of the Time” means or entails.
The “Spirit of the Time,” or Zeitgeist which are derived from two German words: Zeit (time) and Geist (spirit), refers to the dominant intellectual, cultural, and moral climate or mood that characterizes a specific era, shaping people’s beliefs, attitudes, and actions.
The spirit of the time reflects the collective ideas, trends, and aspirations unique to a historical period, influencing everything from art and literature to social movements and spirituality, and can be seen as a broader cultural expression of prevailing thoughts and feelings.
In spiritual context, time holds a deeper and more profound meaning. It is not just about minutes, hours, days, or years. It is about understanding the flow of existence, the eternal present, and our place within a larger, divine framework.
Ijaws should leverage on the prevalence of the spirit of the time to push and get what rightfully belong to Ijaws.
If Ijaws can be feeding over 350 tribes and ethnic groups for 70years (1956-2026), imagine how develop and wealthy all sons and daughters of the Ijaw Nation and the Ijaw territories shall be if half of those huge resources are sank into the Ijaw Nation.
This is the reason we need to elect a visionary, independent minded, high resourceful and purposeful persons into the incoming leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC).
As ordinary person, I have been spending millions of Naira on research, documentation and publication of books about the Ijaw Nation. I have been promoting, projecting and protecting the interest and image of the Ijaw Nation, I will do far better when elected as the National Publicity Secretary (Spokesperson) of the most revered IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS (INC).
I am super proud of my Ijawness.
– Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli (JP)
Aspirant for National Publicity Secretary
Ijaw National Congress (INC).