Opinion
THE OPPRESSORS WHO LOVE THE OPPRESSED
THE OPPRESSORS WHO LOVE THE OPPRESSED
By Owei Lakemfa
IT is bizarre. The International Monetary Fund, IMF, calling on the government to protect the poor from the impact of the fuel price hikes it engineers! To add to its criminal thought process against the Nigerian people, the same IMF is telling the Tinubu administration that fuel prices in Nigeria are too low and need to be increased because it is allegedly selling below market price. What market?
To understand this, we need to know that the Western Europe-owned IMF and its Siamese American twin, the World Bank, have since 1981 told every successive Nigerian government that our petroleum product prices are too cheap and must be increased. Based on their ‘advice’, every successive Nigerian government increases the price of petrol. The more government increases the price, the more impoverished Nigerians become to the extent that even as an oil-endowed and oil-rich country, Nigeria became the poverty capital of the world. Yet, the West imposes ever more pressure that the price be increased.
Let me give you an idea of the depths the IMF and World Bank have pushed us. When this shoving of Nigerian governments started under the Shagari administration, a litre of fuel was raised from 15.3 Kobo to 20 Kobo. Then as part of so-called reforms and the ruinous Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, the Babangida regime first moved the price on March 31, 1986 to 39.5K, then, two years later to 42K , on to 60K, and finally, 70K.
The illegal Shonekan interim regime moved it to N5, Abacha reduced it two weeks later to N3.25 before moving it to N15 and two days later reducing it to N11. The Abubakar regime took it to N25 before reducing it 17 days later to N20. Obasanjo in a series of increases took it to N70 and Buhari took it to N238 before handing over to Tinubu on May 29, 2023. In the last 15 months, President Tinubu has increased the price, first to N545.883, then to N617, and now to N897.
The goals of the IMF and World Bank are to dominate the world on behalf of the West, discourage production by the underdeveloped countries and ensure they remain providers of raw materials. Part of their strategy is to bury client states in unnecessary and doubtful debts and, reduce them to junk status.
Anybody who thinks that these Western vehicles of underdevelopment have by their expression of sympathy with the poor become humane or repentant is mistaken. The IMF and World Bank are bandit organisations, ever-ready to steal from the poor and deprive the hungry child even half a loaf of bread.
They are undertakers of the West who dig the graves of the poor and underdeveloped countries and bury their hopes and, possibly, their future. So, if they express sympathy with the plight of their victims, it is not skin-deep. It is like a person carrying out cosmetic surgery, that in itself neither changes the age, nor the person.
In the midst of mass misery, deprivation, hunger and anger, the narration is being pushed that our political elites admire China and would want Nigeria to develop like the Chinese. Yet, they would not take the basic steps towards development the children of Chairman Mao Tse Tung and Chui Enlai have taken. Not even to start with the most basic step, which is to develop a thought process.
The basic principle of China is that the business of the Chinese government is business; in contrast, the Nigerian government says it has no business in business. So, how can the Chinese reforms be its model? In China, there is crime and punishment as indeed should be in any sane clime. In Nigeria, there is crime, but punishment depends on social status. As the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, had often told its opponents, come over and join us, and all your sins (crimes) are forgiven. Indeed, it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a politically-connected Nigerian elite to be successfully tried in court. Even if by happenstance he were found guilty, there is a guarantee that he would not spend his full prison term behind bars.
So, when government claimed that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President Joe Ajaero was detained last week on his way to the United Kingdom because nobody is above the law, I am not sure anybody believed it. The issue of Ajaero is not about law, it is about lack of coordination in government and little veiled incompetence amongst the security services. How come almost every arm of the security services are inviting or arresting the same person for a sundry of known and unknown reasons?
The labour leader has been arrested, and even beaten by a state government and, multiple arms of the police and the secret services. I will not be surprised if local traffic wardens like LASMA arrest him to ‘assist with investigations’. So the issue about Nigerians like Ajaero and the youths on treason trial for publicly demonstrating their feelings, is not about Nigeria being a country of laws, but about social justice.
This, again, raises our claims to want the Chinese model of reforms. Unlike Nigeria where the law is supposed to be even-handed for every citizen, in China, the higher you are in public office, the higher your punishment. A crime in China, say for theft of public funds which would earn a lowly citizen years imprisonment, would fetch a highly placed public official the death penalty. Let me also say that from my observation of the Chinese legal system, punishment for crimes are carried out.
It is the failure to bring crooks to justice that has saddled Nigeria with lots of baggage that would not allow the democratic system breathe. For instance, our elections are a litany of crimes for which the perpetrators, including hired thugs, are richly rewarded. That is why certified street thugs in various parts of the country are multi-billionaires.
I feel ashamed as a Nigerian that each time elections are to be held, especially at national and state levels, former leaders, serving and past governors, senators, religious leaders, academics and security chiefs gather to sign peace accords with a promise not to rig elections or perpetrate violence. As it turns out, these agreements are not worth the paper on which they are written.
After such agreements, the peacemakers -I wonder who picks their bills – retire to their homes, and the gladiators in the elections do what they know best.
We can learn lessons on development but we will be deceiving ourselves if we think oppressors will fall in love with the oppressed. You can take this to the bank, including the World Bank.
Source: vanguard news
Opinion
Dr. Mulade Laments Poor Developmwntal State of Delta Oil-producing Communities Despite Huge 13% Accruals
By: Divine Perezide
The living conditions and developmental stayts of Delta citizens have once again come under review in comparing dividends versus 13% derivation funds amidst other federal allocations. Observers believe that the people of Delta State have continued to suffer untold hardship despite the 13% oil derivation funds accruable to the oil-rich State, popular human and environmental rights activist.
CAddi his voice to this assertions is Comrade Chief Dr. Mulade Sheriff, a foremost environmental rights and good governance advocate.
According to Mulade, the Ibe-Sorimowei of Ancient Gbaramatu kingdom, an oil-prospecting Kindom in Warri South-West Local Government Area, “the funds do not translate into significant development in oil-producing communities, where residents often experience environmental degradation, poor infrastructure and neglect from goverment at all levels”.
The activist alleged that “the sufferings of Deltans are aggravated by those who manipulated the 13 percent derivation to the detriment of others, especially the host communities”.
Mulade made the assertions while speaking with journalists at the Africa for Peace Games village, Ugolo/Osubi, in Okpe Local Government Area on Sunday.
He said, “People of oil producing communities are wallowing in untold hardship as the reality affects all Deltans who should ordinarily benefit massively being part of oil producing states such as Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Bayelsa, Abia, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, and recently, Lagos State.
“So far, nothing has been done as regards N1.3trillion Naira of the 13% Derivatives paid to the Delta State Government within the eight years tenure of the immediate past governor of the State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
“Despite the bold steps taken by stakeholders, the case has suffered some setback becuase of political interferenc. But the push is not over.
“The Niger Delta region is still suffering from massive infrastructure decay, widespread poverty and environmental degradation, among numerous others as the 13% Percent derivation funds are not used for the development of oil-producing and bearing communities.
“The funds are now budget tools being used by most of the states, instead of using the funds for the actual purpose they were meant for”.
Mulade spoke further, “Delta State is a major beneficiary of the 13% derivation fund which is a constitutional provision in Nigeria that mandates 13% of the revenue generated from natural resources be allocated to the oil-producing states.
“As one of the country’s most significant oil-producing states, Delta State consistently receives the highest share of the derivation fund among all eligible states.
“In the first five months of 2025, Delta received ₦185.16 billion, the largest allocation among the nine oil-producing states.
“Between June 2023 and May 2024, Delta State’s share amounted to ₦211.69 billion.
“The state also received a significant 29% of the total 13% oil derivation funds distributed across the country from 2015 to 2023.
“The funds do not translate into significant development in oil-producing communities, where residents often experience environmental degradation, poor infrastructure and abject poverty.
“Delta State had reportedly withheld a large portion of the derivation funds from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), the agency responsible for developing oil-producing communities”.
It will be recalled that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Stakeholders Forum recently despatched an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu raising similar allegations.
Its quiet unfortunate that DESOPADEC currently exist on newspapers, paid media houses and has become a tool for government to compensate political foot soldiers, he lamented.
By: Derick Peretengboro
Prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Obinna Iyegbu, widely known as Obi Cubana, has delivered an inspiring message to young Nigerians, urging them to channel their energy into overcoming poverty rather than engaging in unhealthy rivalries.
In his advice, Obi Cubana emphasized that true growth is not determined by how long someone has been pursuing a venture but by how effectively they execute it. He cautioned youths against unnecessary competition, stressing that in life, “overtaking happens,” and as such, everyone should be treated with respect and important.
“The race isn’t between you and anyone, but against you and poverty forever, and be a role model to the next generation,” he said.
The message was shared during his visit to Enviable Tricycles, Enviable Transport, and Enviable Logistics Ltd., where he highlighted the need for resilience, focus, and the pursuit of excellence as key tools for empowerment and nation-building.
Observation note that Obi Cubana’s call resonates at a time when young Nigerians are seeking practical ways to navigate economic challenges and build sustainable futures.
Opinion
“Dr. Otuaro’s Successful Deployment Of Over 142 Niger Deltans For Onshore And Offshore Postgraduate Studies Highly Commendable” – Ozobo
Call for support towards Otuaro
By Divine Perezide
Popular Niger Delta activist Comrade Ozobo Austin, known within his close circle as the ‘king of the dragons,’ has expressed deep satisfaction with the leadership style of Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro PhD, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), especially for the timely deployment of 142 beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom on Offshore Scholarship.
Ozobo said Dr. Dennis Otuaro has upgraded the face to the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty programme for ex-agitators which was completely bastardized by the previous administrations, adding that Otuaro’s people-centric leadership as PAP Administrator has set the agency apart to to envy of all. He also wondered if any other agency of the Federal Government has performed well like the PAP is currently doing.
While commending him, Ozobo said Dr Otuaro is detribalised, accommodating, most friendly and performing administrator of the programme, adding that the PAP beneficiaries, critical stakeholders and all Niger Delta youths should encourage him to do more for the beneficiaries of the program.
He also appealed to people with genuine concerns and challenges to approach Otuaro through the appropriate channels, adding he has shown demonstrable will to address every genuine concerns relating to the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Ozobo, alias the ‘senior advocate of the Niger Delta oppressed people’ also urged Dr. Dennis Otuaro to continue his good works and should not listen to the campaign of calumny by sponsored voices by enemies of Niger Delta, assuring that all well-meaning Niger Deltans were behind him.
The activist further congratulated the successful delegates, urging them to use the opportunity to build their future and avoid engaging in activities that could truncate their studies abroad by the foreign authorities.
Recall, Dr. Otuaro earlier emphasised that the students were carefully placed in competitive and professional courses designed to contribute to socio-economic growth, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the initiative aimed to bridge the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta region.
However, at the flag-off event, the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to PAP for the opportunity, promising to make good use of the training and serve as worthy ambassadors of their families, communities, and the Niger Delta. Some officials, including the Technical Assistant to the PAP Administrator, Edgar Daniel, and the Head of PAP’s Education Department, Dr. Charles Ariye, delivered talks on social and cultural challenges, diplomatic and security considerations, and academic demands of studying in the UK.
The programme has also distributed laptops to scholarship recipients to support their research and academic work abroad. PAP’s focus on human capital development in the Niger Delta region is expected to yield long-term benefits, contributing to the area’s socio-economic advancement.
Ozobo’s commendation speaks volumes of the positive impact of PAP’s efforts under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership.