I remember now with nostalgia how about a year ago, precisely on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at a function held in Lagos, among other remarks, told the gathering that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is determined to see through the completion of all the critical projects that had been embarked upon in the Niger Delta region.
In his words, “We have invested significantly in the Niger Delta as the region that holds the energy resources that have powered our progress for six decades as well as the keys to an emergent gas economy.
“In 2017, following my tour of the Niger Delta, which involved extensive consultations with key stakeholders in the region, the New Vision for the Niger Delta was birthed in response to the various challenges which had been plaguing our people.
“The objective of this New Vision is to ensure that the people of the region benefit maximally from their wealth, through promoting infrastructural developments, environmental remediation and local content development.”
However, even if one is tempted to bank on the above alluring but peripheral promises, despite the fact the federal government is not taking any practical steps that will bring it to fruition after well over one year the promises were made, a peep into a recently released 2022 study report entitled Exposure to oil pollution and maternal outcomes: The Niger Delta prospective cohort study, says something different, freighting and discouraging.
According to this referenced report which was carried out by Dr Onome B Oghenetega at the Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo in collaboration with Professor Michael Okunlola, Professor Godson R E E Ana, Dr Oludare Morhason-Bello and Professor Oladosu Ojengbede, women residing in areas with high exposure to oil pollution in the Niger Delta are more prone to premature rupture of membranes and severe vaginal bleeding after childbirth as compared to women residing in areas with low exposure, making pollution prevention pivotal to achieving maternal death reduction in the region. Women in high-exposure areas of the Niger Delta had a higher incidence of premature rupture of membrane (PROM), caesarean section and severe vaginal bleeding after childbirth compared to women in areas with low exposure to oil pollution’.
The research used data collected from interviewer-administered questionnaires and a review of medical records from April 2018 to April 2019, and examined the effect of maternal exposure to oil pollution on pregnancy outcomes in 1720 pregnant women aged 18–45 years.
Essentially, while this piece thanks and appreciates these researchers for this all-important awareness, the question that is important as the findings itself is; as a nation, what can we make out of this report?
Aside from being perceived as backward and degraded, occasioned by crude oil exploration, exploitation and production, the latest report like similar ones delivered in recent times show that the Niger Delta is not just a region laced with sad commentaries, but remains a geographical location with varying meaning to different people.
To some, it is a region where the communal right to a clean environment and access to a clean water supply is violated. By its admission, the oil industry has abandoned thousands of polluted sites in the region. Aquifiers and other water supply sources which are being adversely affected by industrial or other activities need to be recovered while communities are adequately compensated for their losses.
To others, it symbolizes a location where the government employs a non-participatory approach to development/ broad-based consultative approach that strips the people of their sense of ownership, where the government and other Nigerians have failed to see the problem of the Niger Delta as a national one.
To the rest, it is a zone where fierce war has been raging between ethnic and social forces in Nigeria over the ownership and control of oil resources. And as a direct result, a long dark shadow has been cast on efforts to improve the well-being and economic development of the region’s individuals, peoples, and communities.
To end these ugly narratives in the region and in other parts of the country, the federal government needs to be holistic in its approach by doing two things- placement of strong premium on, and implementation of Nigerians’ right to health and environment.
To explain these propositions beginning with the right to health, there is an urgent imperative for policymakers in the country to start understanding health as a human right. Incorporating this new awareness will create a legal obligation on states to ensure access to timely, acceptable, and affordable health care of appropriate quality as well as to provide for the underlying determinants of health, such as safe and potable water, sanitation, food, housing, health-related information and education, and gender equality.
The federal government must in line with the United Nations advocacies internalize the fact that a rights-based approach to health requires that health policy and programmes must prioritize the needs of those furthest behind first towards greater equity, a principle that has been echoed in the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Universal Health Coverage.
We must develop the mindset to the effect that the right to health must be enjoyed without discrimination on the grounds of age, ethnicity or any other status. Non-discrimination and equality require states to take steps to redress any discriminatory law, practice or policy. Another feature that must be adopted in this regard is meaningful participation. Participation within this context, according to the United Nations (UN), means ensuring that national stakeholders – including non-state actors such as non-governmental organizations – are meaningfully involved in all phases of programming: assessment, analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
On the environment, the Niger Delta experience should be an eye opener for the government to believe that to enjoy human rights; human beings depend on the environment in which they live. A safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is integral to the full enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, including the rights to life, health, food, water and sanitation. Without a healthy environment, we are unable to fulfil our aspirations.
As globally preached, it calls for the recognition of the links between human rights and the environment. The number and scope of international and domestic laws, judicial decisions, and academic studies on the relationship between human rights and the environment are growing rapidly.
The human rights and the environment mandate, created in March 2012 and extended in 2018, examines the human rights obligations as they relate to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. It also promotes best practices relating to the use of human rights in environmental policymaking.
Most importantly, we must as a nation incorporate a right to a healthy environment in our constitutions. We must stop paying lip service to these rights.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), a Lagos-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). He can be reached via Jeromeutomi@yahoo.com/08032725374
Possible Economic Outcomes Post Queen Elizabeth II
The Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme Life Circle
IPMAN, EFCC Move Against Oil Theft, Vandalism in N’Delta
2023 Handover Date and Tasks Before Okowa
Niger Delta, Disillusionment and Transcendences of Impoverishment
1,500 Niger Delta Amnesty Beneficiaries to Get NIRSAL Loans
Oil is Owned by Niger Delta, not Nigeria
As the world mourns the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, it is believed that her passing could have implications traversing the economy and politics, especially at a time when the United Kingdom’s economy is battling an energy crunch and is on the brink of a recession.
On the political front, this comes only days after Britain’s new prime minister, Elizabeth (Liz) Truss was appointed by the Queen herself – her last act of public service, and amid geo-political tensions in Europe.
Although it is widely circulated that the period leading up to her funeral will be marked by a solemn ceremony whereby no official government announcements will be made, some implications of the Monarch’s passing are already glaring.
The Bank of England in a condolence message mentioned that current banknotes featuring the image of the Queen will continue to be legal tender and further announcements will only be made after the mourning period.
The media has it that the mourning period till the funeral will span 12 days. Political activities have been suspended. Members of parliament only gathered on Friday and Saturday to pay their respects to the late Monarch and to take the statutory oath to the new King – King Charles III.
It has been announced that Monday, September 19, the day of the Queen’s state funeral is to be a bank holiday. Consequently, all businesses, including the stock market, will be closed for the day.
Some of the key changes expected are; updates to the image and cypher which appear on nearly all government-issued items. These will have to reflect the presence of the new monarch, King Charles III.
Notable changes include changes to currency and stamps, passports, uniforms in the UK including police and military uniforms, and other institutional changes.
Although it is difficult to accurately estimate the financial cost of these changes, estimates range widely between $2 billion to $7 billion.
On a positive note, however, it is expected that the UK tourism sector will receive a boost, which should help partially offset the financial cost to the UK economy.
The Queen’s death marks the end of an era and comes at a time that the UK is faced with an uncertain economic outlook due to high inflation, weak growth prospects, and its exacerbating energy crises.
The funeral expenses will add to the cost of a stimulus package estimated at around £100 billion being proposed by the UK’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss to help citizens ease their soaring energy bills.
Although the British pound (GBP) closed down -0.22 per cent to $1.1500/GBP last week Thursday (9/9/2022), since then it has recovered some lost ground, gaining c.1.7 per cent to $1.169 as of the time of writing this article.
Prior to the GBP’s recent recovery, it had shed almost 15 per cent year-to-date. It is also quite likely that the GBP will further strengthen against the United States dollar (USD) following the much-anticipated hike in the policy rate by the Bank of England at its next meeting later this month.
Having a clean home is what everyone desires irrespective of who you are, but taking time out to clean up your house could be frustrating, especially when it comes to cleaning every corner of your home. If this is the case for you, you need not worry – here are fast and effective tips from Awazi Angbalaga, Country Manager for a cleaning services company, SweepSouth on how your domestic workers can give your home a sparkly facelift.
Give coffee and tea mugs a refresh by removing old stains. Fill the mug halfway with white vinegar, then top it up with boiling water. Allow sitting for at least 15 minutes, before washing well.
Rid your microwave of old food splatters by placing a microwavable bowl filled with one-third vinegar and two-thirds water inside the microwave. Heat for five minutes until the microwave is steamed up. Baked-on food splatters will now be soft enough to remove with a quick wipe. If not, simply repeat the process.
Add gleam to stainless steel kitchen appliances like fridges and dishwashers by rubbing coconut oil or baby oil onto them with a soft cloth. And, if your dishwasher smells funky, fill a mug with vinegar, place it in the top rack of an empty dishwasher, and then run it for a normal cycle.
Kitchen cupboards and cabinets are real dirt traps, and we often don’t realise how much dust and dirt is building up inside them, says Awazi. “When you’re cleaning them, the trickiest bits are often the corners and areas around hinges. To reach them, use an old toothbrush dipped into the cleaning solution and, for really tight spots, try an earbud moistened with cleaner to help remove grime,” she advises.
Vacuum cleaners often have a stale smell. Give yours a refresh by cleaning the hoses, filter and canister with a solution of bicarbonate of soda and water. Rinse with water, then allow to dry. Next, pop a ball of cotton wool that’s been dipped into a fresh-smelling essential oil, like lemon or eucalyptus, into the vacuum bag for a fresh smell every time you vacuum.
A clever tip to remove any old chewing gum stuck to the carpet by drenching it with a thorough spritz of hairspray. The gum will harden, and you’ll be able to scrape it off with a knife.
Get rid of water stains on wooden coffee tables by applying Vaseline and leaving it overnight, says Awazi. “The next day, wipe the mark away using Vaseline. You can also try mixing equal parts vinegar and olive oil, then, using a cloth and moving with the wood grain, applying the mixture to the area. Use another dry soft cloth to buff it up.”
Refresh your shower and get rid of soap scum and mould with a natural shower scrub. Mix three cups of water with three teaspoons of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Spray on the shower walls and floor, leave for half an hour, spray again, then scrub to remove residue and rinse.
Banish black spots of mould or mildew in your bathroom basin’s sealant by applying a paste made with one part lemon juice to one part bicarbonate of soda. Leave the paste on for two hours, then rinse off.
To rid your drain of smells, mix half a cup of bicarbonate of soda with a quarter cup of salt. Sprinkle the mixture down the drain, followed by a cup of warm white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then pour hot water down the drain.
Bedroom curtains and pelmets are dust and allergen traps. Wipe down the pelmets, then use your vacuum cleaner on a low setting to give your curtains a quick once-over. If you have a clothes steamer, use it on your curtains once they’re dusted, to refresh them.
Give your wardrobe a good clean before you pack your winter clothes away. Take out all the clothing inside the cupboard, vacuum up any dust then wipe down the inside with a mild water and soap solution to get rid of dust and dirty marks Once your clothes are packed back into the cupboard, place blocks of cedar wood on the shelves to repel moths. Sachets filled with fresh lavender or rosemary and hung from the clothing rail will also act as a moth deterrent, plus add a fresh scent to your wardrobe.
Giving your home a thorough clean from top to bottom can be tiring, but it’s definitely worth it in how fresh your space will feel afterwards. If you don’t have the time to do a deep clean, get a professional cleaner from SweepSouth to help with intensive chores. That way you will have a sparkling clean home, plus you’ll have free time to focus on other responsibilities in your life.
About two years ago, when President Muhammadu Buhari removed Professor Charles Dokubo (now late), as the interim Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and in his place, appointed Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State-born Colonel Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), stakeholders were happy for varying reasons.
Centrally, their happiness, going by commentaries, was anchored on the fact that as a Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 21st Regular Combatant Course graduate, who was later appointed the Academy Cadets Adjutant in recognition of his leadership qualities and voluntarily retired in the rank of Colonel in July 2004, after many years of blameless service to his nation, Dikkio will seamlessly design programmes that sustainably empower Niger Delta ex-agitators as well as put into operation Strategic Implementation Action Plan to massively develop the Niger Delta,
Within that period of his appointment, I recall posting a piece entitled A note for Millard Dikkio in the Guardian Nigeria Newspaper, precisely on September 23, 2020, find the link https://guardian.ng/opinion/a-note-for-milland-dixon-dikio-the-new-amnesty-boss/.
The referenced piece, among other things, drew the attention of Dikkio to the fact that the appointment has thrust yet another responsibility on him- an extremely important destiny; to complete a process of socioeconomic rejuvenation of the Niger Delta youths that successive administrations in the country have spent far too long a time to do. And, therefore, called on him (Dikio) to study history, study the actions of his predecessors, to see how they conducted themselves and discover the reasons for their victories or their defeats so that he can avoid the latter and imitate the former.
Two years after that post, I cannot say categorically whether the PAP Coordinator kept to the advice. But the present instinct in the Niger Delta explains two things; first, apart from the fact that the excitement which hitherto rends the space has like light faded, jeer has since overtaken the cheers of performance while fears have displaced reason, resulting in an entirely separate set of consequences – irrational hatred and division.
Out of many examples of such baskets of complaint, the most recent and of course most resounding came from a call by the South-South Wing of ex-agitators on President Buhari to sack Millard Dikkio, the Interim Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The statement, which was signed by one General Paul Agge, according to media reports, alleged that Col. Dikkio has gone astray from the cardinal objective upon which the amnesty programme was founded.
Agge said: “The amnesty programme under Dikkio’s watch has witnessed a high level of nepotism and favouritism. Dikkio only trained those that are close to him or recommended by his friends and associates. He abandoned youths from the creeks of the Niger Delta region who are supposed to be real beneficiaries.
“In view of these facts, we call on Mr President not to reappoint him as interim or make him a substantive coordinator.
Continuing, the Group added; “The Niger Delta amnesty beneficiaries need as a coordinator someone who understands the creeks and has participated in the struggle for the liberation of the Niger region.
“To ignore this advice by Mr President could mean an invitation of anarchy in the region as so many Niger Delta youths that are supposed to benefit from amnesty programme have been schemed out or ignored by Dikkio and his men. Even those that have been trained are left without jobs or empowerment.
“Many may go back to the creeks to continue with the abandoned struggle as a result of joblessness.
“Dikio is the worst Coordinator the office has ever had and, therefore, should be removed to pave way for a more competent administrator that understands the dynamics and politics of the struggle.
“We are for peace and part of the steps towards building an enduring peace in the region is by immediate removal of this non-performer.”
For me, the underlying objective of this piece is not to chastise any individual or group. Rather, what is happening is merely an important phase of transition aimed at bringing the obnoxious negative peace in the programme to the surface where it can be seen and treated.
Just like a boil can never be cured as long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its pus-flowing ugliness to the natural medicine of air and light. This piece holds the opinion that injustice in the amnesty programme must likewise be exposed, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured. Period!
As an incentive, Nigerians with critical interest have for too long asked questions about some grey and unclear aspects of the programme and received responses that seem to be substantive but in the actual sense of it, they are not.
Some of these citizens today feel as if they are being manipulated. Their frustration is further fed by the awareness that responses/feedback they receive from the media only breeds cynicism.
As noted in my previous intervention on a similar topic, the questions begging for an answer(s) are; how long was the Presidential Amnesty Programme initially structured to last? How many ex-militants were originally enlisted for the programme? How many have been trained? How many are still undergoing training? What stage is the programme; the Disarmament and demobilization process, rehabilitation/ training processes, or the Strategic Implementations/Action Plan for the holistic development of Niger Delta as a region?
How many of the ex-militants are currently receiving an allowance? What is the amount? Is it the same amount approved right in 2008 or has it been reviewed? What is the fate of those that were youthful then, but today are mature adults with families? Are they still dependent on the stipend as approved in 2009 or has the Amnesty Office reviewed such allowances upward to accommodate their new status?
Providing answers to these questions and drawing experience from similar programmes as implemented abroad are the two objectives of this piece.
Thus, if Dikkio is able to provide these answers or correct the above challenges as listed in the referenced statement; it will, in my view, be a most powerful accomplishment for earning new respect and emulation. If not, it will equally go down the anal of history.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), a Lagos-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and can be reached via Jeromeutomi@yahoo.com/08032725374