SANUNKU!
You all ve said ur bits.Now let's leave the realm of ethnic based sentimentalism and face the existential realities of the contemporary Nigerian Political-Economy.
Shamsuddeen above made some very pertinent points that I cannot ignore.
Firstly,he said "oil is a curse".It seem true if taken on its face value.However,that statement is untrue after further enlightened scrutiny.OIL IS NOT A CURSE.IT IS OUR MISMANAGEMENT OF IT THAT A CURSE.The United Arab Emerate & Bahrain,that are managing their Oil revenues well & diversifying their economies are doing well. Unfortunately,the North ve presided over this mismanagement of every facet of the Nigerian social formation longer than any other region.
Secondly,he was right when he said "most of the Developed States of the world are not oil producing".However,I'll want him to know that that is not entirely true.The US and Russia are Oil Producing States(O.P.S)Russia supplies many European states oil & gas.U can find out more on this.
Thirdly,in as much as I totally agree with him on the need for us to pay more attention to the development of quality HUMAN CAPITAL,I beg 2 humbly disagree with his thesis on Niger Delta oil being a Coincidence.Anybody that know anything about oil exploration & exploitation,& its negative externalities to the host community will not dare say that.It's like telling the people of Jos or Enugu that the destruction of their environment caused by Tin & Coal exploitations were mere coincidence.This is the crux of the matter.It is this belief that Oil is a coincidence,that ve fueled the Northern arrogance that's at the heart of this crisis.You cannot call the degradation of a people's environment,the loss of their culture & tradition occupations & means of livelihood a mere coincidence.Is like going to Rano,Doguwa,Shanono or Beebeji in Kano to destroy their farms & say its a coincidence.
Fourthly,he talked about the looting by Niger Delta rulers.I'll want him to show me 1 Northern ruler from Pre-Independence to date that ve not stole from the Common Wealth.
Also,he said"AS FOR WE THE NORTHERNERS, OUR GRAND FATHERS LIVED BETTER AND IN A MORE PEACEFUL NORTH WITHOUT OIL THAN WE ARE LIVING NOW WITH OIL".Yes they did.They did because they enjoyed 100% of the revenue that come from their produce from 1946-1957 before the Raisman Commission was set up.They enjoyed 50% Derivation % another 30% from the Distributive Pool based on Population & Land Mass.Yes ur Grand Father built ABU & BUK with such moneys.But when Nigeria was an Agrarian economy.So now that we ve an Oil Economy why cant the Niger Delta Children who were suffering when ur Grand parents were enjoying ve their turn?
Furthermore,Shamsuddeen,was right when he said Oil is not everything.Yet it contributes more than 85% of our GNP and over 90% of our Foreign Exchange earnings.
In concuding my Shamsuddeen section,I'd say,We cannot & should not waste our time in attempting to deny the pivotal place of the Niger Delta in the Nigerian Political Economy.
CHEDEE
I dont know what part of the world u re.But definitely not Nigeria of 2008. 90% of the money used to pay the 44 LGA Chairmen(including my favorite Buharin Dala.lolz) in Kano come from the Niger Delta. I think you are joking when you mentioned vegetable etc.Do u think the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,UAE& Quatar produce food?The Petrodollar that comes from their resource take care of that. Can you show me one state in the North that can survive for 4 months without Federal Allocations?Dan Allah,yaakuri daya!just one.
What share of constitutional right are u talking about?Which constitution?Is it the Constitution that was drafted by the Hausa-Fulani elite to serve their interest?Why is the North so much against true Federalism if they can survive with just Vegetable and other food items?The answer is the North will collapse withing 1 year without oil money.
SIGNALPUTTE
Who cares if the Oil multinationals are relocating to other countries?To the people of the Niger Delta,that's good news.It means that the will witness less Acid Rain,Polution & dislocation of their local economies.
You said other African countries are discovering Oil.How is that the business of the Niger Delta people?Why not tell me that the North has started exporting Oil?
Please be informed,Tinubu is not and ll never be a Niger Deltan.So his name ve no business in this discuss.As 4 the gravity,only time ll tell.
Khadijah Yarinya DadiIlolz.
I know some Northers are hustlers.But the majority are not.I am waiting for U 2 show me how the millions of Almagiries I see everyday are hustlers.I am waiting for U 2 show me how the Civil servants that come go Audu Bako Secretariate by 2pm for work after Masalashi are hustlers.lolz
Posted: at 31-08-2008 12:14 AM (15 years ago) | Upcoming |
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