The First News 4th Public Lecture, themed “Building the Niger Delta of Our Dream: With or Without Oil,” was held on Friday, October 4, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This landmark event gathered prominent scholars, politicians, and stakeholders from across the Niger Delta to discuss the future of the oil-rich region and explore alternative paths for sustainable development.
The lecture, organized by First News online newspaper to mark its anniversary, emphasized the urgent need for political reform, regional unity, and youth conscientization to secure a better future for the Niger Delta.
Opening Remarks by Daniel Iworiso-Markson: A Call for a Radical Rethinking
In his opening remarks, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Publisher of First News newspaper, expressed deep concern about the Niger Delta’s continued marginalization despite its immense contributions to Nigeria’s economy.
He lamented that while the people of the region take pride in their identity, there is a growing sense of frustration over how the federal government treats the region.
“Most of us from the Niger Delta are proud to be Niger Deltans, but as an online newspaper, we are pained by the somewhat biased treatment of the Niger Delta,” Iworiso-Markson stated, emphasizing that the event served as a platform to address the long-standing problems plaguing the region.
Iworiso-Markson highlighted the region’s paradoxical relationship with oil resources, pointing out that although oil was discovered in Oloibiri over six decades ago, the Niger Delta still does not fully own or control its natural resources.
He referred to this as the distinction between “possession and ownership,” emphasizing that while the region possesses the oil, it does not truly own it. The result has been persistent underdevelopment, environmental degradation, and a lack of infrastructure in the region.
“There can be no better time to rethink the future of the Niger Delta,” he said, calling for a collective effort to reclaim the region’s destiny.
Iworiso-Markson concluded his remarks by urging the attendees to recognize the importance of the occasion, declaring that the public lecture could be the beginning of a revolution for the Niger Delta’s future.
Keynote Address by Professor Pat Utomi: Leadership Reform and Moving Beyond Oil
Delivering the keynote address, renowned political economist and scholar, Professor Pat Utomi, focused on the leadership challenges facing the Niger Delta.
He underscored what he described as “the tragedy of poverty in plenty,” wherein the region, despite its vast natural resources, continues to suffer from extreme poverty, underdevelopment, and poor governance.
“I want to push us into a place of pain so that we can reflect,” Utomi stated, challenging the audience to confront the harsh realities of the region’s socioeconomic situation.
He argued that leadership failures have been a key factor in the Niger Delta’s underdevelopment and called for a collective resolve to overhaul existing leadership structures.
Utomi also emphasized that the region’s future should not be tied solely to oil. He urged stakeholders to begin exploring alternative economic activities that can sustain the region in a post-oil future.
According to him, sustainable development can be achieved through investment in education, entrepreneurship, technology, and agriculture. This shift away from oil dependency, he argued, is necessary to ensure long-term prosperity for the Niger Delta.
“Can we say never again to the kind of leadership that has brought us here? Can we say let us begin again, because it is possible to begin again?” Utomi challenged, advocating for a new beginning for the region.
Panel Discussion: Critique of Leadership and the Need for Unity
The panel session, which included prominent voices like Professor Godini G. Darah, legal expert Liborous Oshoma, and journalist Donu Kogbara, provided a platform for robust discussions about the future of the Niger Delta.
Professor Darah, a respected scholar and activist, delivered a scathing critique of the region’s political leadership. He argued that progress in the Niger Delta has been hindered by a lack of unity and commitment among its leaders.
According to Darah, many of the region’s top political figures have failed to prioritize the development of the Niger Delta, as evidenced by their absence from important discussions such as the First News Public Lecture.
“Leaders who want to develop the Niger Delta will not be absent from an event like this,” Darah said. He suggested that future events should focus less on attracting governors and more on engaging investors and stakeholders who are truly committed to the region’s development.
Darah also called for a revolutionary political movement driven by the youth and other forward-thinking individuals to alter the region’s political landscape. He expressed frustration that despite efforts by the youth to address the region’s challenges, there has been little to no progress due to the entrenched political status quo.
“The youth have tried all they can, we have tried all we can. What is missing is that there is no revolutionary political movement to change the situation,” he declared.
Governor Douye Diri: A Message of Hope and Development
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, delivered a message through the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai.
Governor Diri commended First News for its commitment to promoting regional development and amplifying the voices of the Niger Delta people. He lauded the platform for fostering informed discourse on critical issues affecting the region, especially as it navigates the complexities of growth and development.
Governor Diri emphasized the need for diversification, innovation, and inclusive progress to drive the region’s transformation. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for business growth, talent development, and improved quality of life for Bayelsans.
“As we gather today to explore pathways towards a brighter future, I commend First News for its commitment to forcefully inform this course and promote regional development,” Governor Diri said.
The governor also urged stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue, sharing expertise and insights that could propel the Niger Delta toward a prosperous future. He concluded by calling on the people of the region to harness their collective potential to build a vibrant and resilient Niger Delta.
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson: The Need for Regional Unity
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, represented by Dr. O. O. Osusu, delivered a poignant speech on the importance of regional unity in overcoming the challenges of underdevelopment.
Senator Dickson highlighted the paradox of the Niger Delta’s resource wealth and poverty, pointing out that while the region is rich in oil, it does not control these resources. He called on the people of the Niger Delta to focus on harnessing their internal resources and to unite in the pursuit of their shared goals.
“You own the oil, but you don’t possess it. They tell you the oil is in your backyard, but they possess it and use it on your behalf. Meanwhile, we are left doing nothing about it,” Senator Dickson lamented.
He urged the Niger Delta people to look inward and work toward building a society that thrives from within, rather than relying on external forces.
Senator Dickson also highlighted the environmental degradation faced by the region, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to save the Niger Delta from further deterioration.
Sam Dede: Conscientizing the Youth
Renowned Nollywood actor Sam Dede, who participated in the panel session, called for the “conscientization” of the Niger Delta’s youth.
He expressed concern that many young people in the region are disconnected from its history and struggles, particularly regarding the resource control movement. Dede pointed to the 1998 Kaiama Declaration, which marked the beginning of the Niger Delta’s push for control over its resources, as a critical moment in the region’s history that many youths are unaware of.
“I think we need to get our young people conscientized. If you ask the youth here what ‘Kaiama Declaration’ is, they don’t know, but that was the beginning that marked the Niger Delta struggle for resource control,” Dede said.
He further criticized the lack of academic focus on Niger Delta history in the region’s universities, arguing that more attention should be paid to studying key figures like Isaac Boro and teaching the history of the Niger Delta in higher education.
Dede concluded by calling for renewed efforts to educate and mobilize the region’s youth about the Niger Delta’s social and environmental struggles.
Conclusion: The Way Forward for the Niger Delta
The First News 4th Public Lecture served as a vital platform for discussing the future of the Niger Delta and exploring solutions to the region’s long-standing challenges. The event’s speakers, including Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Professor Pat Utomi, Professor Godini Darah, and Nollywood actor Sam Dede, all emphasized the need for leadership reform, regional unity, and youth engagement as key drivers for the region’s transformation.
As the region grapples with the reality of a post-oil future, the discussions at the lecture highlighted the importance of looking beyond oil and focusing on sustainable development through education, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
The event marked a critical moment in the ongoing dialogue about the Niger Delta’s future, with participants expressing hope that the conversation would lead to meaningful action in the years to come.