I grew up in the depth of the Niger Delta, I always say. The only light I enjoyed was the sun by the day and the moon by the night. The most constant water supply I know of is the water flowing through our rivers. The one that is filthy and packed with all the microbes and oils spilled from the pipes laid by the oil companies. Roads? Well, let’s not talk about it. Strong and capable youths, literate and illiterate rot in the streets of towns and cities looking for jobs day to day only wishing for luck to shine upon them. Many wants to go to school, but couldn’t. Even those who try couldn’t get a teacher to teach them sometimes, for one to two weeks. There are some secondary schools where the principal is the only employed staff. This might be hard to accept. But I experienced this myself about 10years ago. Student cannot do ordinary titration of an acid against a base after high school and he will tell you he did science in school. If we do not even invest in education, how, then, do we ensure our future? Even those who go to school, find it difficult to make money decently. When it comes to infrastructures, we are crawling like a tortoise. Our towns and villages are still separated from the cities. And now, they tell us the oil is drying out. So, they are cutting down the statutory monthly allocation. Now, they tell us due to militancy and oil pipes destruction, they are not able to suck as much oil as needed. For that, they are cutting down the money we are receiving. What a shame? All we ever wanted was basic amenities, infrastructures, education and opportunities to prosper and put a decent meal on the table and send our kids to school, nothing more. But what did we get? Pollution of our rivers and farm lands, neglect and injustice, darkness and thirst, hunger and poverty and leaving us to starve. And the list goes on.
So, after much talk and crying, many decided to carry arms and fight, hopping that things will change for the better. But what could a couple of men with handguns and a few grenades and machinery do against the furry of the Nigerian Military? So, the struggle is foiled by the fancy and heavy weaponry of the military. Militancy and kidnapping are evil in the sight of God and man and are unjustifiable and punishable by law. But before the government blame the militants and offer them forgiveness or amnesty, as they have called it, they should also apologize to the poor hungry people of the Niger Delta for the decades of injustice, nonchalance and neglect. When oil was discovered in the Niger Delta decades ago, it was seen as a blessing to the Nigerian nation, and for this, Nigeria is, no matter what, a recognize member of the international community and held in high esteem. But, for the people of the Niger Delta, the oil is a curse. A curse that have brought us bloodshed, hate, discord, pain, poverty, hunger, crime, hopelessness, injustice, neglect and have turned, a ones, fun-loving and peaceful land, into a war zone and breeding ground for militants and militancy.
Amnesty is good! But in as much as it is needed by all at this point, and for the sake of peace, I cannot help but wonder, who need this amnesty more? Is it the bunch of people who have engaged in various forms of thievery, murder, cheating, injustice and have deprived the people of the Niger Delta a good life? Or a couple of frustrated youths who acted angrily because they were hungry for change, a little space to make ends meet and find a decent job and be able to own their own families? I guess you know the answer to that question. I believe that everyman should be punished for his crime(s). Militancy and kidnapping are crimes and are punishable by law. Knowing this, the militants are giving up their arms and forsaking violence and crime. It is amnesty, alright? In the same way, it is only natural that those men and women who are keeping the Niger Delta in this despicable state should also forsake thievery and fraud, murder, cheating, injustice, selfishness and greed. This way, the equation will be balanced. Otherwise, the amnesty deal by the government can only be use to win the battle against militancy and kidnapping. But it cannot be used to win the war against oppression, injustice, neglect and political inequality. For once, the government should step up and solve the problems of the Niger Delta and Nigeria. The talks, meetings, committees, boards, big appointments, enquiries and all what not are enough. Action is what is needed. Infrastructures, basic amenities and opportunities for people to prosper. Not big talks and empty promises.
George Esule Michael.
Founder The Eagles Movement.
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divineproject
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