Like most nations, weve had our civil war, and weve survived it. The ecological crisis in the delta is coupled with a deepening politicaleconomic crisis. It begins with an examination of the prehistory of the region, with particular focus on the urhobo and their close ethnic neighbour, the isoko. Jan 01, 2005 the first title in a planned series of classic texts, written and published in africa, on the history and culture of the niger delta. Oil and violent conflicts in the niger delta african books collective. Solution to niger delta crisis crucial to nations economy. Fresh dimensions on the niger delta crisis of nigeria. Creation of the niger del ta development commission 20002003 the niger d elta development commission nddc was established in 2000 by president olusegun obasanjo with the sole mandate of developing the petrole umrich niger delta region of s outhern nigeria. It takes its name from the arab word for emptiness.
Isaac boro, a young delta revolutionary, proclaims a niger delta republic to comprise mainly the deltas majority tribe, the ijaw. These violent conflicts are largely responsible for the backwardness of the country, poverty, unemployment etc. Frameworks for understanding the crises of the niger delta region of nigeria african world christopher lamonica, j. Natural resources, conflict, and sustainable development. How to solve the niger delta problem nigeria has been courting danger for the last 3050 years. Ephraim essien 2008 captures this when he reasoned that the niger delta. Youve read the history of the civil war, now read adichies novel. This study attempts to capture the transformations in ethnic minority identity politics in the oilproducing areas of the niger delta. Unlike his predecessor, yaradua chose the dialogue option which culminated in the declaration of amnesty for suspected niger delta militants who were willing to surrender their arms. Sep 07, 2018 niger delta has witnessed a high rate of militancy and insecurity starting from 2006. Oil exploration and current state of the niger delta niger delta is made up of nine states namely.
The early history of the niger delta download ebook pdf. Movement for the emancipation of the niger delta wikipedia. Us foreign policy and the niger delta conflict pambazuka. Causes of conflicts in the niger delta region of nigeria. The root causes of this crisis have been the subject of extensive debate. We know that this is not a crisis that came about because a group of men and women got bored and then decided to take on the nigerian government for the fun of it. Long out of print, this book brings together oral traditional evidence and all other available historical material including the work of the eminent historian of the niger delta. From the point of view of the movement for the emancipation of the niger delta mend and its supporters, the people of the niger delta have suffered an unprecedented degradation. Real issues in the niger delta crisis vanguard news. The current conflict in the niger delta first arose in the early 1990s over tensions between foreign oil corporations and a number of the niger delta s minority ethnic groups who feel they are being exploited, particularly the ogoni and the ijaw. Vast oilreserves in the niger delta one of the planets most precious wetlands situated at the african westcoast of nigeria were discovered in the 1950s, at the end of colonial times, and to this very day contribute to most of the oil wealth of nigeria. First, the book spends a few chapters quite appropriately on the niger delta crisis. The land of fear with david adams trade route history.
The changing forms of identity politics in nigeria under. The niger delta crisis is a serious matter that requires serious policy and committed and courageous leadership to resolve. In the dead heart of that emptiness theres a place called the tenere. Isaac boro, a young delta revolutionary, proclaims a niger delta republic to comprise mainly the delta s majority tribe, the ijaw. A textbook of niger delta history from the earliest times. The oil industry in the niger delta is dominated by multinational corporations such as chevron. The book, curse of the black gold, traces nigerias 50year history of oil. May 11, 2019 the sahara is the biggest desert on earth. In other words, the post deals with the niger delta communities in nigeria in relation to environmental change and the social consequences of this downturn in delta communities. Niger, officially republic of niger, french republique du niger, landlocked western african country.
This article evaluates the nature of corporate social responsibility related oil conflict with emphasis on the key reasons for the conflict in the niger delta region that has remained impoverished despite the regions huge contributions to the nigerian economy for many decades. Based on the study findings, potential solution was proposed to. Frameworks for understanding the crises of the niger delta region of nigeria. This book contains some of the leading nigerian commentators and analysts on the niger delta crisis and offers a magnificent tour dhorizon of the relations between natural resources, violence and human development. The niger delta area is one of the locations that is seriously affected by oil spill in nigeria s fifty one. Allegedly speaking for the movement for the emancipation of the niger delta mend, selfidentified spokesperson jomo gbomo announced 30 january 2010 the end of. Niger delta has witnessed a high rate of militancy and insecurity starting from 2006. Crisis in the niger delta 5 the most pressing development needs are for better roads, water transport, power, and telecommunications. The data analysis technique utilized in this study is content analysis of data. The niger delta is the delta of the niger river sitting directly on the gulf of guinea on the atlantic ocean in nigeria. This study was designed to investigate the effects of th e niger delta oil crisis on the women folks. Jul 17, 2009 the niger delta crisis by kia mistilis.
A book on the historical evolution of the niger delta region titled niger delta briefs written by a renowned medical doctor and an advocate of the niger delta struggle, dr mofia t. Conflict in the niger delta united states institute of peace. The crisis of religious politics and secular ideologies rochester studies in african history and the diaspora. The niger delta crisis is a serious matter that requires serious policy and committed and courageous leadership to. In effect, the niger delta crisis has had the character and effects of a pandemic since the beginning of its occurrence. The wider aim is to unlock the languages of the niger delta region, enabling peoples from all over the world, to learn and communicate in them, leading to a deeper understanding of the cultures, inspiring peace, creativity and development. In this article, we identify some of the causes of militancy and insecurity in niger delta to include, economic deprivation and marginalization of the indigenous peoples of niger delta, environmental degradation, bad governance and inconsistent policy framework, as well as the divide and rule policy of the. Towards ending conflict and insecurity in the niger delta. Consequently, the region has become a place of frustrated expectations and a hot bed for violence ogege, 2011. This has been the basis of the crisis, which has been worsened by the crystallization of the fears these niger delta minorities had at independence i.
It is typically considered to be located within nine coastal southern nigerian states, which include. Long out of print, this book brings together oral traditional evidence and all other available historical material including the work of the eminent historian of the niger delta, kenneth owuka dike. The political ecology of the niger delta crisis and the prospects of lasting peace in the post amnesty period by okoli, al chukwuma. The book frames the crisis in the niger delta around a battle between largely external oil interests and those within the region who want to protect the local environment and way of life p. Pdf the effects of the niger delta oil crisis on women folks. Outside of benin, the niger delta was a collection of regions controlled by different tribes and kings, for example, urhobo, delta igbos, isoko, itsekiri, oron and ijaw note that the ijaw have always been the ethnic majority group in the delta. Michael watts, class of 63 professor, university of california, berkeley. Long out of print, this book brings together oral traditional.
Examining the niger delta crisis in light of helon. The niger delta is an unstable area of nigeria, and interethnic clashes are common often access to oil revenue is the trigger for the violence. Major causes of militancy in niger delta research cyber. Niger delta crisis, may be seen in three basic dimensions.
Aug 08, 2010 the niger delta region has a population of about 34 million people 2005 and covers an area of about 70,000 sq. Us foreign policy and the niger delta conflict pambazuka news. Competition for oil wealth has fueled violence between ethnic groups, causing the militarization of n. The causes, effects and potential solutions to the deep. The niger delta is one of the numerous parts of the country which have enjoyed considerable academic attention, scholars from different intellectual and academic persuasions have carried out research on different aspect of the history. The violence has contributed to nigerias ongoing energy supply crisis by. It focuses on the drivers of the conflict, as well as the ways the crises spawned by the political economy of oil and contradictions within nigerias.
A textbook of niger delta history from the earliest times to the present. The findings of the study the prevailing situation in the niger delta region of nigeria and in zimbabwe, which has. The current conflict in the niger delta first arose in the early 1990s over tensions between. Niger delta crisis no doubt has implications for nigeria. The oil rich niger delta region of nigeria has been embroiled in crisis between the government forces and some militants elements that are aggrieved over certain fundamental issues affecting the region which has lead to peacelessness.
An assessment of the niger delta crisis and nigerias. The nature of the crisis the niger delta crisis involves the existential and environmental problems faced by the people of the niger delta region in nigeria and the resultant conflict, violence and militant operations in the same region. Fuelling the niger delta crisis crisis group africa report n118, 28 september 2006 page iii federal and state governments and niger delta parties, based on the proposal already accepted in principle by several delta activist and militant groups. Niger delta instead draconian laws and steps were taken by the governments and the companies to annihilate the niger delta people. To fully understand and appreciate the current context we must take ourselves back through niger delta history to the regions first formation of city states, the oyo and benin kingdoms, circa 11th century.
Towards ending conflict and insecurity in the niger delta region. The crisis in the niger delta comes at a point in history when issues of peak oil and world energy crisis are looming. Oil crisis could result in vast effects on humans and animals which include social. The niger delta crisis by kia mistilis behind fighterplanes and gunboats, nigerian forces launched a fullscale offensive in the niger delta on may, displacing 30,000 people and sparking a. Ethnic and political unrest has continued throughout the 1990s despite the conversion to democracy and the election of the obasanjo government in 1999. His most recent major work is a coedited book titled the crisis of the state and regionalism in west africa. Therefore the focus of this study was to determine the cause of conflicts in the niger delta region of nigeria as expressed by the youth in delta state. As at 17th of oct, reliable sources stated that the movement for the emancipation of the niger delta mend would resume its hostilities against the nigerian oil industry, the nigerian armed forces and its collaborators with effect from no time specified hours, friday, october 16, 2009, the groups spokesman, jomo gbomo, said in the statement. The oil producing states in nigeria all in the niger delta account for 90% of oil revenues yet they receive only 19% of the statutory revenues from.
The niger delta crisis has assumed a dimension that continues to pose serious concerns to the multinational corporations, the niger delta communities, nigerian government, and the international community. From the oilpolluted swamps of the niger delta in the south, to the. Sep 11, 2010 how to solve the niger delta problem nigeria has been courting danger for the last 3050 years. From the oilpolluted swamps of the niger delta in the south, to the shariagoverned muslim states in the arid north, nigerias regions and many ethnicities. The people live in a few large cities and over 3,000 small and often remote communitiesvillages in the mangrove, swamp and lowland rain forests. The political ecology of the niger delta crisis and the. At present, few things are certain about nigeria or the niger delta, and stability is a. The politics of conflict over oil in the niger delta region. Fresh dimensions on the niger delta crisis of nigeria ojakorotu, dr. This occurrence has been the root cause of insecurity and violence within local. Social impacts of niger delta crisis research cyber. Apr 24, 2009 fresh dimensions on the niger delta crisis of nigeria ojakorotu, dr.
It examines the often hazy overlap between the militant niger delta cause and criminal and political motives, and identifies the steps required to defuse the conflict. If significant progress could be made on these fronts, much of the sense of injustice and marginalization on the part of the delta population would be assuaged. History of the urhobo people of niger delta is the most comprehensive compilation and study of various aspects of the history of the urhobo people of nigerias niger delta. This is a crisis that has been brewing for decades. The niger delta is the center of oil and gas production in nigeria, accounting for about 80% of total government revenue, 95% of foreign exchange and over 80% of national wealth tell, february 18, 2008. Since its inauguration, the nddc has focused on the development of social and. Niger delta niger delta facts history of niger delta. Abstract this paper attempts to look at the niger delta crisis from a sociopoliticoecological perspective.
How to solve the niger delta problem sahara reporters. Niger delta history pdf the oil rich niger delta region of nigeria has been embroiled in crisis. It is bounded on the northwest by algeria, on the northeast by libya, on the east by chad, on the south by nigeria and benin, and on the west by burkina faso and mali. The niger delta region has a population of about 34 million people 2005 and covers an area of about 70,000 sq. As has been mentioned earlier in the paper, the niger delta region is a potpouri of ethnic nationalities. Historical background of the niger delta crisis in nigeria ogege 2011 describes the niger delta region as a vast, fertile, and naturally endowed region with enormous gas and oil deposits. Causes of conflicts in the niger delta region of nigeria as. Sep 30, 2016 nigerians daily loss to activities of militants in the niger delta may soon ground the nations economy if government continues to trade blame over the issue, a council member of the nigerian. A cohort of 20 exmilitants from the urhobo speaking tribe within the nigerdelta region of nigeria that were enrolled in the amnesty program was used for this study. The niger delta has a long history of militant activity dating back to and beyond the. Examining the niger delta crisis in light of helon habilas oil on water helon habila ngalabak born november 1967 is a nigerian novelist and poet, whose writing has won many prizes. Click download or read online button to get the early history of the niger delta book now.
The niger delta region of nigeria has a long history of struggles for selfdetermination. The niger delta region of nigeria has witnessed more than a fair share of conflict in nigeria. Abia, akwaibom, bayelsa, cross river, delta, edo, imo, ondo and rivers. The people have endured a long history of economic and social injustice and they are now tired of being at the bottom. The first title in a planned series of classic texts, written and published in africa, on the history and culture of the niger delta. Speakers at the programme held last saturday, in port harcourt, used the occasion to eulogise the. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The people live in a few large cities and over 3,000 small and often remote. The book then embarks on a close assessment of the advent of british. In the few decades since the 1956 discovery of oil at oloibiri in the niger delta region of nigeria, the ndr. The challenges of the nigerdelta crisis a book dedicated to late president umaru musa yaradua sponsored by the association of nigerian authors ana, oyo state chapter in collaboration with university of ibadan department of history and african forum for peace initiatives afpin.
Movement for the emancipation of the niger delta mend. This post examines social impacts of the crisis in the niger delta occasioned by environmental change on development, of the people of niger delta societies. We also trust that those who seek to gain insights into the local dimensions and consequences of the atlantic world in the niger delta will find this book rewarding. This book is part of the african world series, edited by toyin falola, jacob and. Maier, a reporter who was based in nigeria for 10 years, recounts the history. Ogege, 2011 posited that despite the huge oil revenue derived from the. Also from one decade to another the nature and dynamics of crisis in the region have changed, the transformations which the crisis took from the one period to another have paved way for its institutionalization in the history of the region and nigeria in general. Crisis groups first report on the niger delta examined the historical and societal underpinnings of the growing insurgency. The current conflict in the niger delta first arose in the early 1990s over tensions between foreign oil corporations and a number of the niger deltas minority ethnic groups who feel they are being exploited, particularly the ogoni and the ijaw.
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