scholarly journals Mirroring the Conflict Situation of the Oil-rich Niger Delta Region of Nigeria on the Screen: A Thematic Analysis of the Film - Black November

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-146
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Lucas ◽  
Fatima D. Vakkai ◽  
Tordue Simon Targema
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Resource Curse ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
The People ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Government ◽  
The 1960S

This study examines the potentials of film in managing conflict in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This is against the backdrop that since the commencement of oil production in the region in the 1960s to date, it has continued to experience one form of armed conflict or the other. These manifest in several ways such as kidnapping of foreign oil workers, vandalization of oil facilities and confrontation with security operatives by militants, leaving adverse effects on the Nigerian economy which depends on crude oil as the major source of income. The paradox of plenty or resource curse that has come to characterize the region and how it can be addressed, therefore, is what prompts the current study. Using the Nollywood film- Black November, the study demonstrates that film is an instrument that can be used effectively to manage conflicts in the region. From the viewpoint of Singhal and Rogers’ Entertainment-Education approach, the study adopts thematic analysis to identify and discuss the various themes embedded in the film. Findings indicate that several forces are behind the intractable conflict in the region as contained in the film, such as exploitation of resident communities by multinational oil companies, environmental degradation occasioned by oil spillage and gas flaring, and gross injustice, insincerity and human rights abuse by security operatives that make the people lose faith and confidence in both them and the government which they represent. Other causes include betrayal and corruption on the part of community leaders and the burning fire of patriotism in the youth who are determined to fight for their rights. Given the rich thematic embodiment of the film, the study concludes that film has potentials which, if effectively harnessed, will go a long way in managing conflicts in the society.

scholarly journals Social impacts of oil extraction in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Obumneme Achunike
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Amnesty International ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
The People ◽  
Nigerian Government

Oil was discovered in Nigeria in1956 at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta Region after almost 50 years of exploration. Shell-BP at that time, was the sole concessionaire because non-British companies were not given exploration license to operate in Nigeria. After Nigerian Independence in 1960, exploration rights were extended to other multinational oil companies. More than 16 multinational oil companies were in operation with little or no supervision from the Nigerian Government, which created significant environmental, political,and social impact in the region. A critical discourse analysis of documents from Shell, Amnesty International, THISDAY Newspaper revealed that the Nigerian government has failed to safeguard the environment and the lives of the people. On the basis of evidence presented on this research, in addition to literature, it can be argued that oil has turned out to be a curse to the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria in general.

scholarly journals Illegal Oil Bunkering in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Challenge to Nigeria’s Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (29) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tombari Bodo ◽  
Batombari Gbidum Gimah ◽  
Kemetonye Joy Seomoni
Keyword(s):  
Military Personnel ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
National Interest ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Financial Cost ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
Militant Groups ◽  
The Government

Illegal oil bunkering is a regular activity in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria. Despite the huge financial cost on the part of the government and the multinational oil companies, the perpetrators of this business continue to expand their operations in the creeks. Illegal oil bunkering is now a booming business in the Niger Delta. It is believed to involve the different local militant groups in creeks, commodity traders, military personnel, international businessmen, and some indigenous oil servicing companies. The successes of illegal oil bunkering in Nigeria have been ascribed to both local and national interest as a result of the profits from this illegal oil business. This study critically examines the key actors of illegal oil bunkering; the root causes and consequences of illegal oil bunkering, and the solutions to the identified challenges.

NIGER DELTA CRISIS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AMNESTY PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION IN NIGERIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-36
Keyword(s):  
Niger Delta ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Programme Implementation ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
The People ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Government

Abstract The Niger Delta since inception of oil exploration in 1956 has been witnessing series of environmental insecurities which culminated into long term sufferings of the people living in the region. The activities of oil companies paid less attention to the well-being of the region and consequently metamorphosed into youth’s militancy –in terms of kidnapping and armed struggles. The effects of militancy led to the proclamation of amnesty programme designed to ameliorate the crisis situation and pardon those who were involved in militancy by the President Yar’Adua led administration in 2009. However, the question of insincerity from the government, multinational oil companies, agencies and militants remains a burden undermining the amnesty implementation programme and its successes in post-amnesty Niger Delta. This seminar, therefore, examined the social impact of amnesty programme and its challenges on Niger Delta. Internet explorations, magazines, newspaper cut-outs, books and journals were the instruments of data collection. Suggestions for proper implementation of amnesty programme and developmental actualisation in the Niger Delta Region were proffered. Keywords: Niger Delta, Crisis, Amnesty Programme, Nigeria

scholarly journals Implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility by Oil Companies in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Myth or Reality

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-132
Author(s):  
Onyeka Festus Mbalisi ◽  
Christiana Uzoaru Okorie
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
The People ◽  
Corporate Social

Niger Delta region of Nigeria is a home to many multinational oil companies with different packages of corporate social responsibility (CSR) because of its huge natural resource reserve especially of oil and gas. The CSR packages are designed to address social, economic and environmental concerns of the indigenes of the Niger Delta region, arising from the oil and gas operations of the multinational oil companies. The operational activities of the oil companies over the years have led to the degradation of the Niger Delta environment with consequent loss of livelihood sources, thereby triggering protests and other violent activities in the region. The paper identified and analysed the indices of the components of the CSR (social, economic and environmental components) packages using results-based management framework to determine the impacts of the CSR projects and programmes on the people. The analysis revealed that multinational oil companies release funds from a philanthropic perspective for the execution of some social development projects/programmes, but these projects/programmes do not address the welfare and livelihood needs of the people. This means that the multinational oil companies operating in the region create an illusion of compliance with social development and responsibility rules. The paper linked these unfortunate situations (environmental degradation, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, etc) found in the region today to failure of CSR implementation due to corruption, insincerity and philanthropic approach of the oil companies and regard it as injustice to the people of Niger Delta. It therefore concluded that CSR implementation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is a myth and as a result recommended that Multinational oil companies should therefore incorporate the people of the Niger Delta into the oil economy by enlisting household heads into the payroll system of the multinational oil companies as well as engage sincerely in projects that will lead to the development of the region, if protests and other violent activities in the region must stop. Key Words: Implementation, Corporate social responsibility, Environmental Resources, Niger Delta, Multinational Oil Companies

scholarly journals RIGHTS TO OIL THEFT AND ILLEGAL REFINERY IN NIGERIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
C.O Okwelum
Keyword(s):  
Social Contract ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
The State ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Analytical Methodology ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
The People ◽  
The Social

The reactions of the ethnic communities which have morphed into violent militant groups and ganglands in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to State and industry control of land and mineral resources require a very close study. A comparative analysis of the current situation in Nigeria with what is obtained in the early days of the European civilization when the challenges of governance and economic crimes were emerging from the womb of the industrial revolution is equally of importance. If sovereignty resides ultimately with the people and the State governs with the consent of the citizens and the ultimate responsibility of the State and business is the welfare of the citizens, a fundamental breach of the social contract leaves the people with the right not only to abolish the State but to sabotage business in social banditry. This paper tries to apply the general principles of the theories of social banditry and social contract to the phenomenon of oil theft and illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It employs the comparative, historical and analytical methodology in presentation while relying on secondary materials and doctrinal research method. It argues that the crimes of oil theft and illegal refineries have arisen from the lack of the development of the Niger Delta by both the State and the multinational oil companies and that they are an expression of the rights to resource control by indigenous communities after 50 years of State and industry control of same have failed to yield development on the ticket of the United Nation’s Resolution 1803 of 1962 guaranteeing national sovereignty over natural resources. It finds that they fall within Hobsbawm’s social banditry thesis and that the basic conditions for the abolition of the State under the social contract thesis have been largely met by the economic and socio-legal contexts prevailing in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

scholarly journals Consolidating Peace in the Niger Delta for National Development in Nigeria: Rising Beyond Tokenism

2021 ◽  
pp. 24-41
Author(s):  
Umaru Tsaku Samuel ◽  
Moses E. U. Tedheke
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
National Development ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
The People ◽  
Peace And Development

This study attempts an investigation into oil politics and other related issues that have generated security crisis in the Niger Delta region, which made peace to elude the people over the years. For decades, peace in the Niger Delta remains a mirage because of the violence and counter violence unleashed by the different stakeholders in oil production in the Niger Delta. While the militants in the Niger Delta resorted to kidnapping of expatriates, oil theft, and the destruction of oil installations of the international oil companies to register their grievances against the Nigerian state and international oil companies over the debilitating development conditions in oil producing communities, the Nigerian state had militarized the region to maintain law and order in the oil producing areas in order to secure oil installations of the international oil companies which were targeted for destruction by the militants who felt the federal government and oil companies have not done enough to improve the living conditions of the people. To pacify the Niger Delta people and to ensure seamless oil production in the region, the federal government introduced some initiatives and created different Commissions such as the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, increased derivation formula in revenue allocation to 13 percent and the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission to engender peace and development in the region. In recent times however, the federal government in furtherance of its commitment to resolve the Niger Delta crisis created the Ministry of Niger Delta and equally granted Amnesty for repentant militants with a view to re-integrating them back to the society in the interest of national peace and development. Except for Amnesty Programme which introduced relative peace in the Niger Delta, which itself failed to address the root causes of underdevelopment, all other initiatives have not engendered development and lasting peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. These initiatives and Commissions were simply tokenism as they failed to fundamentally, reposition the region on the path of sustainable growth and development. However, in generating data for this research, both primary and secondary data were used for analysis. The primary data were obtained from questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions carried out in Bayelsa and River states. The study concluded that peace and development is possible in the Niger Delta if conscious and deliberate efforts are made by the government and international oil companies to improve the lots of the people who bear the devastating consequences of oil production in Nigeria. 

scholarly journals Understanding Niger Delta’s violence from a World-Ecology perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-43
Author(s):  
Oscar Mateos
Keyword(s):  
Niger Delta ◽  
Capital Accumulation ◽  
Resource Curse ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Resistance Movements ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
Oil Corporations ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Commons ◽  
The 1960S

The conflict in the Niger Delta region (Nigeria) has become one of the most environmentally and humanly devastating contexts on the African continent since the 1960s. The network of different actors involved in this context forms a complex web in which multiple and asymmetrical dynamics and interactions can be identified. From Jason Moore’s World-Ecology perspective (2015), the article suggests that this complex interaction should not be understood as a mere postcolonial episode in the context of globalisation, but as a historical network of relations. This network, in which human and extra-human natures are intertwined, is key to understanding the process of capital accumulation in the region and the resulting capitalogenic violence since the 16th century. Against this background, the article also attempts to counter the tendency to interpret violence and social resistance in the Niger Delta region as mere criminal phenomena or from narratives such as the “resource curse” that has simplified the multidimensionality of violence. In this sense, the paper analyses the different forms, strategies and meanings through which local resistance movements have tried to safeguard and re-appropriate their livelihoods and the commons in recent decades in the face of the growing presence of multinational oil corporations.

scholarly journals Deep Issues behind the Crisis in the Niger Delta Region: The Case of Oil Exploration in Ogoniland, Rivers State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Tombari Bodo
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Oil Exploration ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
The People ◽  
The Government ◽  
Petroleum Development

This study was designed to mirror the deep issues behind the crisis in the Niger Delta region, using the oil exploration of Ogoniland as the case study and proffering possible solutions on how best to combat the identified problems. To achieve this aim, focus group discussions, unstructured interviews and oral testimonies were employed for the collection of data; and data analysis were carried out using simple coding for recognition, transcription from the local dialect to English Language, rewriting and interpretations. The results revealed that the people’s expectation from the Government and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has not been met; illegal refineries and other criminal vices are now fully in operation in Ogoniland. The people blamed the Shell Petroleum Development Company, the Federal Government, some of their corrupt chiefs, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and some of the community youths for the problems in the communities. However, the Ogoni people believed that the full implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programmes (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and the Ogoni Bill of Rights will ameliorate all their sufferings. It was recommended that SPDC should avoid reaching agreements with the traditional rulers and politicians from Ogoni on projects bordering on development of the land that excludes the people. It was also recommended that SPDC should carry out town hall meetings, focus group discussions or even distribute questionnaires in the local communities in Ogoni communities to ascertain the best solutions from the local people (who are the majority) rather than taking only the decisions from Ogoni leaders, which may not be the consensus opinion of the people.

scholarly journals Paradox of Poverty in the Midst of Abundant Resources: The Politics of Oil Resources and Renewed Insurgency in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-19
Author(s):  
Boris Happy Odalonu
Keyword(s):  
Niger Delta ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
Oil Resources ◽  
The Government

Nigerian state depends majorly on oil resources for her economic survival. Over 85% revenue generation to the Nigerian government are derived from oil production in the Niger Delta. In spite of this, Niger Delta region illustrates a paradox of poverty in the midst of abundant resources. The region remains one of the poorest and least developed parts of the country. The region suffers from environmental pollution, pervasive poverty and underdevelopment. These culminated to series of peaceful agitations to draw the attention of the government for solution to their challenges but due to the insensitivity of the government and oil companies operating in the region to their plight it degenerated to violent agitations, hence the insurgency and militancy in the region. The effects of all these were the disruptions of oil and gas production, reduced national revenue, withdrawal of foreign capital, kidnapping of expatriate oil company staff and so on. In a bid to curb the insurgency and militancy in the region, the Federal Government initiated the amnesty programme in 2009. Seven years after, the issues of environmental degradation, youth unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment that led to militancy and insurgency in the region remain unresolved. Thus, there was renewed insurgency from January to December, 2016 in the region. The paper argues that, granting of amnesty to the militants is a temporarily solution to the problems and until the grievances of the region are sincerely tackled by the government, the issues of militancy and insurgency will remain unabated and may degenerate.

scholarly journals How Multinational Oil Companies and Corrupt Niger Delta Elites Underdeveloped the Niger Delta Region

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-266
Author(s):  
ANGELA AJODO ADEBANJOKO
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Niger Delta Region ◽  
The People ◽  
Oil Wealth

This study is on the role played by Multinational Oil Companies (MNOCs) and Niger Delta elites in the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study adopts a descriptive approach drawing data mainly from secondary data such as books, articles in newspapers, journals, internet etc. The study found that the Niger Delta region is endowed with natural resources. Among this is crude oil which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.Despite this oil wealth however, the region is largely underdeveloped. Poverty, massive unemployment, absence of safe drinking water, filth and squalor, lack of access to health care,education and housing among others are some of the features of the region. The problem of underdevelopment in the Niger Delta was traced to MNOCs and Niger Delta elites. The paper therefore argues that oil exploration activities of MNOCs such as gas flares and oil spills which have resulted in environmental degradation have deprived the people of the region their means of livelihood while corrupt practices of Niger Delta elites who embezzle funds meant fordevelopment have been responsible for the underdevelopment of the region. The study recommends among others the need for MNOCs to compensate the people for years of environmental degradation while Niger Delta elites found guilty of embezzlement while in office should be sent to jail.

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