Kenneth Uwadi Responds to Ben Wuloo Ikara’s Response

Kenneth Uwadi formally responds to Ben Wuloo Ikara’s Response on his earlier submission “Letter to A Nigerian Militant”

Ben Wuloo Ikara in Response to an article I posted: letter to a Nigerian Militant, stated that the article has no real name of the author which is not true as my name and address were clearly written down. one tends to wonder where he got the idea of “no real name”. That someone does not know a person does not mean that the person does not exist.

In Nigeria’s Niger delta region, where large oil and gas resources are located, there are various armed groups threatening stability. These groups range from youth gangs to more organized militias While these armed groups have been involved in kidnapping expatriate energy workers, in recent months some of these groups have begun to target children—both Nigerian and foreigners—in kidnap-for-ransom schemes.There are so many cases of kidnap for ramsom. As a result, a new and alarming dimension has been introduced to the siege on the Niger Delta. Can Mr Ben wuloo tell   us  how this amount to freedom fighting. Read more

RESPONSE: Letter to a Nigerian Militant

A concerned Citizen ( Ben Wuloo Ikari ) ’s Response to: Letter to a Nigerian Militant

Dear Mr “Guest Writer”, with no real name, If America and Britain, others of European extraction were/are happy to be called “hardman,” men and ” a criminal,” criminals for raping, raping and exploiting Niger Delta, and Africa in general, and also fighting an unjust war in Iraq and other regions killing innoncent children, men and women in the name of oil and so-called democracy, then MEND (if this is the group you meant) should be happy for fighting a just cause……for self determination. Not rants from people such as you would stop the revolution. Europe and America already had theirs; they weren’t called “terrorists,” but freedom fighters.

And, I hope you’re not disillusioned by what the West called “democracy” while they wish democrazy for others. America or Britain has no democracy based on equality that is key element to the vague idealogy. A government controlled by the people as supposed to be democracy is nowhere in America where live, not to mention Britain-the rogue nation that stole African treasures and left the mother continent impoverished, and clashes due to its deliberate and devilish forcing of people together for the expansion and growth of its empire.

Take America for instance, out of hundred Senators, there is only one “black man” so-called, and that man is Sen. Barack Obama. In about two hundred and fifty years “blacks” have only been allowed to produce less than six Senators. What about the gross inequalitycrimination, sexism, and palpable RACISM ect?

Is it not shameful that lots of Niger Deltans and other Nigerian/Africans are in America and other Western nations languishing in the name of brighter future or greener pasture while we’re rich in oil and gas , uranium, gold, diamond, etc. at home, but siphoned by these same rapers of Africa and takers of all in collaboration with most disfunctional African rulers/leaders?

Did you ever bother to tell those who fought for American independence from colonial Britain and others who led Western/European nations struggle for survival what you’ve told the Niger Delta freedom fighters? Or can’t see how lopsided you are in your judgment?

I abhor violence and seriously against the rampant hostage taking and extortion in the region, however, the struggle the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) for resource and environmental control is just, and not in any manner different from the struggle of America independence and those of others-though, we aren’t demanding a separate country but a fair share of our wealth.

The so-called West knows this. The British imperialists and the slave machinary of America are aware of their impact on Africa. Therefore their claim of glorified ignorance is mischievous and hypocritical. Remember, Nigerian irresponsible government, $hell and the West collaboratively killed Abiola who won overwhelming Nigeria’s presidential election on June 12, 1993, and Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 others etc. (who demanded equity from oil production and environmental conservation, preservation or protection), for peacefully and nonviolently standing in front of shipment of oil to the West and America in particular. What education or family what are you talking about? I hope you haven’t lost your mind writing behind a ghost name.

Notwithstanding the facts above the West have more of a better government for their people but wish hell for others. Any president who wouldn’t act as stooge would be worked against, overthrown by American CIA and others or killed, like Abiola. Mr. “guest writer,” are you one of them?

Don’t get me wrong, there are numerous “whites” around the world that are wonderful with beautiful spirits, though most are racists and would remain so.

Ben Wuloo Ikari, is a Human and Environmental Rights Activist, Writer, Poet and Author of Ken Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP-The Story And Revelation.

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Letter to a Nigerian Militant

My Dear Militant, the major security problem that is shaking Nigerian Nation today,is the series of Nigerians and foreign oil workers that you kidnap daily as well as the series of attacks on oil facilities by you, Militant of the Niger Delta.

I guess that you must be feeling quite happy these days with so many people all over the world trying to find out why you took to Arms struggle. The World is asking why you chose to be Militant. Is it poor family background, is it economic hardship or political motivation or you just want to be called ‘Hardman’.

Some say you are fighting for a greater share of our region’s oil wealth which may have largely bypass you and ended up in the pockets of Corrupt Politicians. However, we can see that what may have been a political motivated protest has degenerated into extortion and crime. Read more

MEND Dares Federal Government

 Following the activation of the Nigerian Army to red alert status by the President, to be prepared to engage the Niger Delta militants, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has dared the Nigerian Army to attack any militant base in the Niger Delta. MEND avers that any attack on her base or any other militant base, will be met with a resounding reciprocal attack on Nigerian oil facilities in the creek of the oil rich Niger Delta.

According to presidential sources, the precedence interpreted the attack on Shell Bonga oil field by MEND as an act of war against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to the source, the shut down of the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) is costing the nation $84 million in oil revenue loss.

 

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MENDing NIGERIA!

Written By: Che Oyinatumba

Nigerian artful watchers are on edge over the uncertainty of the where about of Mr. Henry Okah, an extradited leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta.
Conflicting rumour have it that the MEND leader caged, gagged, chained and flown into Nigeria in the dead of the night at the request of the Nigerian government to face trial at home is dead..

He died in a military detention centre somewhere in the northern part of Nigeria. On the other side of the rumour mill, the presidential spokes person ( I wonder if he is the minister of information), Segun Adeniyi says “I know that Henry Okah is alive. He is in a safe custody”. This confession by Adeniyi, is worrisome as the Nigerian government had earlier kept deaf silence bordering on denial of the extradition of Mr. Okah. At what time and where did Segun Adeniyi see Okah to ascertain that he is alive?

Be that as it may, Segun Adeniyi, the caustic columnist with Thisday Newspaper, the author of last 100days of Abacha, should not turn coat. His column use to be a delight in engaging government of the day but his current posturing, is giving one the reminiscence of Chief Femi-Fani Kayode. Segun, whom a lot of people are seeing as Information minister, as Odey is busy running PDP, should tell his paymasters that the Okah’s saga, should be well handled, as it will be a litmus test for the millions of money appropriated to the Niger Delta in the just passed budget.

In as much as I wish the Nigerian government will speedily address this Okah’s paradox, before MEND remends NNPC pipeline, the manifesto of MEND should be made popular. I am at sea with what the issues are. In the days of Isaac Adaka Boro to Ken-Saro Wiwa, one understood what the issues are. But these modern day pirates, gyrating from ethnic militia, to born again agitators of resource control, and when drunk, poke at the ambers of secession, are confusing would be sympathizers of their cause. It has been so murky that one is tempted to blanket all agitation in the Niger Delta as agitation for oil bunkering. The spate of kidnap that has spiraled into kidnapping of albinos and hard core black people, adds flame to the confusing signal sirening out of the delta.

If MEND wants the emancipation of Niger Delta, let them be bold and like Ndigbo did in 1968, when they could no longer endure the forced marriage of 1914, and declared a republic. In a war of emancipation, sacrificial lambs are essential condiments as it will build a rallying altar where all “hot heads” will congregate to draw divine inspiration to keep the fire of rebellion blazing till victory is worn. This has been the secrete weapon of HAMAS over the generations. Their ideological commitment to the state of Palestine and passionate refusal to recognize the sovereign state of Israel. Okah’s death, if he is dead, should be seen in this light and the insistence of MEND for the release of Okah, should not be a bargaining power for MEND.

Nigeria should hold this end of the stick. Perambulating on Okah, under cuts MEND and cheapens her as a mere criminal gang with no political agenda. The wisdom of Idi-Amin should be re-echoed here “when there is a desired change of leadership in Africa, a few heads must roll”. Well if it has to be Okah’s, let it be, so long as the end product, the emancipation of Niger Delta is achieved.

If it is resource control, let them come to the table, cough out a formula and engage the Nigerian government. Further more, if it is outright declaration of sovereign state of Niger Delta, Opopo, Izaw etc, let them bell the cat.
This nomenclatural dichotomy is necessary as it will shape the rule of engagement. If a republic, Nigeria, should reciprocate with equal force and force them into the sea, or like the trend in Kosovo, concede the agitated area to them. Being robbed of devil’s excrement, maybe the remaining components of Nigeria, will revive either coco or groundnut pyramid, hide and skin (at least komo will be expensive), extradition of palm oil from Malaysia etc.

If it is an insurgence to gain attention to the injustice, environmental degradations, the combatants in Niger Delta, should lay down their arms, co-operate with other disenfranchised peoples of Nigeria and attack Nigeria government towards reshaping the geographical expression. All the regions of Nigeria have suffered one form of environmental injustice or another. A visit to Jos will show you the nightmare residents go through as a result of tin mining.

Visit the erosion infested coal city of Enugu, the far North have been wasted as a result of over grazing, desertification is a real and dangerous as gas flaring, the West can’t define their forest line. We have all paid a price towards building this nation and we are entitled to finding an accommodating solution to all perceived grievances. It will be less capital intensive, if the Niger Delta militancy is sold to all the oppressed peoples of Nigeria as a class struggle.

The leadership of the South-South, has shown that all these hues and cry, is just to feather their nests while the poor, malnourished, and bleak featured children of the creek go to bed hungry. This explains why most recovered “assets” of leaders of Niger Delta are found out side the enclave. Indeed the rich can not sleep for the poor is hungrily awake dreaming up evil to visit on the rich. It is we the impoverished and they the bloated rich, if not why these cacophony of noise in Niger Delta when they have the number two position in this country?

Until the Niger Delta defines their agitation, other peoples of Nigeria and sympathizers in the international community will be at sea with which emotion to express demand for the release of Mr. Okah.

Latest news slipping from the government has it that Okah will be arraigned in court soon. We want to know as what? Is he is a prisoner of war, a renegade, a vagabond, or a common criminal? If a prisoner of war, the rules of Geneva convention as pertaining to war applies, if a common criminal, a moral and jurispudent questions arise. The gun running he was accused of, was a crime against Angola and not Nigeria. If the Nigerian government is so minded to “protect” Nigerians in foreign country’s penal system, how about the Nigerians languishing in Libya, the people beheaded in Saudi Arabia, the innocent Nigerian victims strangled in Singapore, Malaysia; the countless Nigerians in America county jails? Playing ostrich with Okah’s travail, will boomerang and the ripple effect will resonate in quarters this docile government least expect.

The judiciary should not allow herself to serve the end of scrupulous politicians. I hope Okah, wont get the same soft landing that Alams (ex-convict, ex-governor of Bayelsa state got). He should challenge and run the full huddle of the snail speed Nigerian judiciary or this government will use his Kangaroo trial to score an off-side political goal!

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