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| Polluted Ogoni Land |
The Nigerian government paid the Yoruba Propaganda
machines journalist to report that they have deployed machines that will be
used to clean-up Ogoni province of Biafra land but it's all deceit and
propagandists. As I put up this article right now in Gokana autonomous
community of Ogoni kingdom, nothing is done only the presence of the Nigeria
security were found there to protect the environment from anyone taking
pictures evidence of what is going on that region. What a sad situation where
the poor masses can't breathe some fresh air, drink some good waters and farm
in a fertile ground. This is the situations on ground.
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| Polluted Ogoni Land |
However, I was fortunate to move around to get the real
facts situations on ground about the oil rich region and the environmental
degradation caused by the federal government of Nigeria. It’s quite unfortunate
that Nigeria government have been using the Black Gold (Crude Oil) in Biafra
land in trading business with foreign countries even before the bitter civil
war which lasted for about 3 years (1967-1970) and also neglecting the
indigenous people suffering the spillage.
Due to oil exploration and other human activities in the
oil rich region popularly referred as Niger Delta the Biafra territory, there
is evidence of environmental degradation all over the area (Oronto, 1998).
Environmental degradation is occasioned by consistent flow of industrial waste,
oil spills, gas flares, fire disaster, acid rain, flooding erosion, etc., which
has led to the pollution of farmlands and fishponds. It has also led to the
destruction of properties and human lives, including aquatic and bio-diversity.
Current environmental problems in Nigeria have become
great threat to Biafran environment and nature in general. Environmental
pollution in the oil rich region in Biafra territory requires great attention!
Let’s have a look at most essential issues and discuss the best solutions to
the current environmental problems in the country Nigeria exploring the Black
Gold (crude oil) in the region.
The Air Pollution
In The Oil Rich of Biafra territory
Current environmental issues in the oil rich region, some
places like Rumuolumeni (Iwofe), Obigbo, Ogoni (to be precise) just to mention
but few locations in Biafra region mainly include air pollution. This is one of
the most important threats to the indigenous people living in coast of Biafra
land.
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| Polluted Ogoni Land |
Compared to 1990, the Nigeria government became full of
power plants. There began the development of heavy and automotive industry,
construction of factories by American, European, Chinese companies, which led
to the increase in the level of air pollution by 65%.
The number of deaths from the low-quality air is
increasing every year. They already exceed death rates from AIDS and malaria
combined. The indigenous people living in the riverine area of Biafra land are
nothing to write home about. The level of air pollutions caused by Shell
petroleum company, Agip, etc is something else. Environmental pollution has led
to the increase in the rate of cardiovascular diseases and problems with
respiratory tract.
The Rivers State Media (Igwuocha Province) was able to
meet and interact with the chairman of the Traditional rulers of Ogoni province
of Biafra (name withheld) who unveiled to us that the Ogoni people fought at
the side of Biafra during the 1967-1970 bitter civil war. He unveiled to us
that his own father was a general during the war. Both him and his late father
were Biafran soldiers. Late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu (the people's general)
appointed his late father (name withheld) to organize their men to stand the
force of Nigeria during the war. We were shocked when he unveiled to us that
bucker (where Biafra soldiers camped during the war was at his father's
compound and lots more).
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| Polluted Ogoni Land |
Speaking to Rivers State Media (Igwuocha Province) the
chairman of the traditional rulers of Ogoni province of Biafra (name withheld);
as a youth the same country we are supposed to belong to, has killed our
professionals, our elders, our youths, those outspoken activists who stood
their ground against tyranny were all sentenced to death by gullibility. But in
recent times, the issue of Biafra has come and gone. And this time it is a
must, and everybody is allowed to have their stack and say. The need to
understand from the people on what is paining them, and they need to know the
pains of our people. So that we use it to establish facts for the world to see;
that they may hear even from the very land on what is going on.
Because the Nigerian government keep on telling the world
that they are doing it very fast, that everybody is okay now but on the ground
is not like that. And I have gone also a bit further; to pray to God, the
heavenly Father to help me to understand what the problem is and what is the
solution. And the Most High reviewed to me that Biafra will settle all our
problems. And that is only Biafra that is capable of doing so; because that is
how God has made it.
The Ogoni people can have their nation but to get that
nation realized; their must be "A UNITY OF FORCE AND PURPOSE". From
all the Easterners and the Riverine; to speak on one thing and decide. And if
that is done; is going to come. From there everybody can secure their land.
"THAT IS THE MESSAGE GOD GAVE TO ME" and God told me that if you
deliver this message if anybody have a doubt; let the person find out if he is
a church person (let him/her pray or go to a prophet) from the spiritual angle,
what did God said about this matter. And if is a traditional man, if there is
anywhere they normally ask questions to know the truth about a particular
situation; should also go their and ask, whatever result they get their; that
is the truth. And God has assured me that this message is real. And that is the
message I have and I have been telling anyone I come across, that this is the
way forward.
Rivers State Media (RSM) had an exclusive interview with
the Chairman of the traditional rulers of Ogoni kingdom.
Rivers State Media
(RSM): Sir, what do you think about the Biafran struggle? You are an elder; and I believe you know much
even more than I that was informed about the genocide against our people. So,
what do you have to say about the situation and plight of our brethren?
Chairman of
traditional rulers of Ogoni kingdom: In Parable; when a house is boiling;
you don't sit down and watch the house to go in flames because it will definitely
consume such individual too. However; I think for them to be a realistic
prospect of having Biafra nation or goal. There must be people who will be more
instrumental for that to happen but we have a lot of obstacles. The Igbo people
must forget the fact that; there was numbers of abandon property in Rivers
State. The man called "FINE-COUNTRY" was the man that brought about
the idea of abandoned properties; during the creation of this state towards the
regional state. Fine-Country was not an Ogoni man, unfortunately that thing
abandoned properties was hanged over the neck of Ogoni man at the time of agony
of the people. And once a system is propagated that way, it dies in the minds
of people. I keep telling them, look; I have friends who are lawyers, bankers,
etc who talked about these issues. Although Port Harcourt (Igwuocha), the Igbos
owned Port Harcourt because they were outnumbered as of then. But the fact of
the matter is that we take our eyes upwards and that what we should be talking
about. Things we should be talking about was; how can the east be unified
again? Things that supposed to come to east come to east. For I struggled for
Abia State, I struggled for Enugu State, I struggled for this and that etc.
What about in those days the like of Michael Okpara was Prime minister of the
east. We get roads that was built from Port Harcourt (Igwuocha) to Khana
(Gokana). When he was the governor of the east; he was an Igbo man wasn't an
Ogoni man. That was when we have one heart (unified). Now we have divided home, how can we bring
that together? That should be the first priority of the Igbos or anyone that
has fate for the revival of Biafrans.
Speaking further; "anything you want to do in life
is a matter of approach". To bring
about the unity of what we had in the east right then, will take a lot of
determinations. The dream of Biafra is something that sometimes it takes some
of us who were involved in it from the initial stage. If you want to mention that name (Biafra) is
like a wind, because some us, the spirit is still in us we are cold. But
exactly, the British mentality, we Nigerians has perfected it; "Divide and
conquer (Rule). "TO MAKE BIAFRA A REALITY; WE MUST BRING BACK THE ENTIRE
EASTERN REGION TO WHAT IT USED TO BE (UNITY)".
How do you get the Annang man, Ijaw man, Bonny man,
Adoni, Etche, Ikwere, ishekiri, Urhobo, Efiks, Oron, Nksris, Ekid, Itu Mbon
Uso, Atam, Bekwara, Yakurr, Bokyi, Ugep, Yala, Etung, Ejagham, Abana, Bakassi,
Ogoja, Ogoni, Egere, Mboli, Andoni, Ogbia, Ekwara, Kohumono, Ukelie, Yache,
Yache, Igede, Quos, Effut, Iwuruha, Ekpie, Ogba, Ukwani, Isoko, Warri, Asaba
and all the entire riverine areas to get together if that is possible? If you
are to say you want to create a country or nation right now; will somebody from
Enugu say he is entitled for the presidency of the country? Will someone from
Abia state say he will be entitled for presidency? So, we have internal
(crisis) problems that must be resolved before it can be a reality.
Also, we have
people who are senators, house of Representative, etc, none of them are coming
together to bring something that will benefit the east. If Biafra had to be a
reality right now, most definitely the Igbos are going to be the ones to carry
people along. How are they prepared? Because the division in Nigeria now from
the twelve (12) original states to 36 states we have now; in the east, where we
have the eastern Nigeria, no one is going to be there to give up power. I thank
God for this great work you guys are doing now and hope it would finally come
to success.
Because those of us who are in power now has tested money
so much; that we cannot think about how to unify our people. Because in the
first place we must unify the people. The issue of "BIAFRA IS VERY DIFFICULT
BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE". It is not Impossible to achieve. If we are united in the east here, that could
had not happened. We could have made the Biafra struggle a reality. Because
when you think that these are the people who are standing in your way, you
eliminate them, if you want the truth you get the truth and if you want the
other side of the story I don't have time for that he said.
Giving reasons; why I don't have time for that is, I
fought as a Biafran soldier, in fact all my relatives fought as Biafran
soldiers. And some of the people who are advocating for Biafra today were not
even alive! So, I am entitled to talk about anything Biafra. There was a bunker
here (where our the Biafran soldiers were kept during battle front). Even where soldiers are staying here, the Nigerian
soldiers wanted to remove it but is not that it can't be remove but because I
have sentimental value for it. Also, because I intend to preserve it for
benefit of doubt. So, that when people come it can be an evidence and proof
that our people were hardcore Biafrans.
We must be prepared for what is about to come, the
unification of our people must be paramount to us. Why should the petrochemical
industry which is located in Ogoni but is been operated by foreigners. Our
people are not empowered to join the labour force etc. The injustice and
subjugation must stop. Other industries where dead because you have to go to
the north to get a permit to make it function and without their approval.
Nothing can be done about it he said.
Biafra must be built upon and not forced on anyone. But
each time I wake up in the morning, I often say, if there is Biafra I think we
would have not suffered the way we do today. Indeed, our future lies on the
restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra.
In summary, Biafra is the profound solutions to our
problem as a people. Biafrans let's unite and make this great dream a reality.
All hail Biafra the land of the rising sun.
Written by:
Mazi Dimkpa Ikenna Ikenga Amadioha-Gbo
For: Rivers State Media (Igwuocha Province)
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