When Ogoni Youths ultimatum was issued to the federal government mid July, the government paid no attention. The body language of the government depicted a summary dismissal of the proposed action.
Following the expiration of the ultimatum and the announcement of the protest, again, it was assumed that no effective protest can hold as the protesters will soon wane and return home after one or two days.
However, the mobilization of protesters took a deeper and more concrete form that stunned the Nigerian government and its agencies. (Kudos to the youth for staying within constitutional limits)
And for seven days, Ogoni held the forte and sent the strongest message to the unsuspecting authorities. It was harmony at its peak. When a government treats with disdain, issues affecting lives it gives concern and challenges every right thinking persons. The east west road is the most important infrastructure linking oil production facilities, seaports and subnational entities in the south south region. One wonders the neglect from the national government. This was the basis for the Mother of all protests which lived up to the name.
From a careful observation and interaction, the process revealed as follows:
1. Ogoni has the wherewithal to respond to situations uniquely and stoically and can adapt regardless of its numerous woes.
2. In civil movements and non violent actions, Ogoni is the trail blazer and still holds the ace. Ken Saro Wiwa and MOSOP rose to international stardom with the non violent movement in Nigeria in the 1990s. Ogoni won instant international accolades and celebrity ethnic recognition driving home the need for a check to environmental degradation and the protection of the rights to clean and habitable ecosystem. Today, Niger Delta groups still reap from the successes of the approach led by the great environmental rights activist and the then celebrated MOSOP.
3. Ogoni is a highly intellectual environment with the ability to define itself with strategic response to situations.
4. Deprivation and neglect which are fundamental tools by government to impoverish minority groups have indirectly created a strong culture of resilience. The Resilience culture of Ogoni was demonstrated and celebrated. The people say and mean NO to injustice.
5. Ogoni unity remains stoic though undermined by political inclinations and powerplay internally and externally. It is this unity, which hitherto promoted Ogoni identify that is the target of governments who knew the import and strength of a united Ogoni ethnic group.
Similarly, Ogoni unity is also targeted by multinationals whose gains are best achieved in highly divided social spaces thus, driving the divide and rule gimmicks to entrench their reigns rather than build a prosperous society for all.
6. Need for a new Ogoni ethnic development agenda established. The success of the process offered hope for a stronger Ogoni community. Though leadership challenge confronted and debilitated MOSOP, it is clear that Ogoni need a development agenda to technically design it’s survival and sustainability within the context of prevailing governance and political climate in Nigeria. The time to chat a leadership model is now.
7. The process also revealed the need for deeper ethnic audit to determine critical issues especially relating to crime control and enhanced security. The high unemployment rate of the youth which is a major concern and at the centre of exercebating insecurity and crime rates can be tackled more purposefully.
Our youths are ridiculed and abused even in the midst of our God given resources. The organisation band control of the protest is clear evidence of the capacity and tact of the youths. For a secure Ogoni future, the need for deliberate plan to tackle youth unemployment is pertinent and achievable.
Way forward:
The question is after this successful show of patriotism what next? There is the need to review the internal mechanisms of our great Ogoni society to Sustain the resilience. This can be achieved only through the galvanization and collaboration of political and traditional institutions and all stakeholders within and in diaspora.
The need for Ogoni General Assembly to deliberate on critical issues that confront our existence as a people is pertinent to keep the fire burning. Ogoni can stand tall again. The message is delivered, the government heard and bowed to pressure knowing it’s economic loss over the seven straight days of complete shutdown of economics activities within the economic nerve center of the nation. No live was lost, nor properties destroyed. It was order and strategy deployed by a generation of youthful leaders showing their capacity in non violent actions in a message the government only understands.
Long live Ogoni, land of resilience,
Long live Nigeria.
From Borve Paago
Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
