The Myth of Militancy: Juxtaposing the Objectives of Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against Contemporary Realities in the Niger Delta
Abstract
The study examined the environmental degradation resulting from the nature of oil exploration in the Niger Delta since the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in 1956. It assessed the objectives of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against the contemporary realities in the region. We anchored our analysis on the Marxian theory of social production and reproduction while secondary data were collected from documentary sources and analyzed via qualitative descriptive method. The study found that following the failure of peaceful agitation adopted by the oil bearing communities to actualize their demand for adequate compensation for environmental degradation caused by oil exploration and for fair share of oil revenue, people resorted to militancy. Consequently, various intervention programmes were put in place by the government to meet the demands of the people. However, empirical evidence shows that these government intervention programmes failed to meet the demands of the oil bearing communities and militant groups. Similarly, despite the high level militancy, MEND as a militant group has not achieved its stated objectives. It is expected that agitations and demonstrations would continue in the Niger Delta and will continue to disrupt oil exploration in the region. Based on our findings, we recommend inter alia that the government and International Oil Companies (IOCs) should collaborate with the local communities to evolve long term development programme that does not only focus on giving out funds to Commissions set up by government but would specifies how to gainfully engage and support the local people to continue in their agricultural activities without being disrupted by environmental degradation resulting from oil exploration by IOCs.References
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Amnesty International (2009). Nigeria: Petroleum, Pollution and Poverty in the Niger Delta. June 2009
Amnesty International (2011). Shell accessed over misleading figures on Nigeria oil spills UK: Amnesty International
Amnesty International (2011). The True Tragedy: Delays and Failures in Tackling Oil Spills in the Niger Delta. UK: Amnesty International
Anifowose, R. (1982). Violence and Politics in Nigeria, The TIV and Yoruba Experience. New York: Penguin Random House
Balthasar, D. (2014). Oil in Somalia: Adding Fuel to the Fire? Somalia: The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies.
Bassey N, (2006). Trade and Human Rights in the Niger Delta. Pamkazuka Issue 257 http://www.pambazuka.org/encategory/comment/348O 1. accessed 02/12/2015
Berkowilz, L (1962). Aggression: A Social Psychological Analysis. New York. McGraw-Hill
Crocker, C.A., Hampson, F. O. et al. (eds) (2001). Turbulent peace, The Challenges of Managing International Conflicts. Washington DC: USIP Press.
Department of Petroleum Resources (2002). Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN)
Dollard, J. et al (1939). Frustration and Aggression. New Haven, CT:
Ekekwe, E. N. (1985). State and Economic Development in Nigeria. In Ake (Ed.) Political Economy of Nigeria. United States: Longman Publishers.
Graham, D.S., & Gurr T.R (eds) (1916). The History of Violence in America. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Ibeanu, O. (2008). Affluence and Affiction: The Niger Delta as a Critique of Political Science in Nigeria. An Inaugural Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Ifesinachi, K., & S. Azom (2012). US Government Unilateral Diplomacy and Militarism in the Middle East, 2000 – 2008. ANSU Journal of Peace and Development Studies, Maiden Edition. 19-32.
Imobighe, T.A.C.Q. Bassey and Asunijeds LB. (2002). Conflict and Instability in the Niger Delta, The Warn Case. Ibadan: Spectrum Books.
Jike, V. (2004). Environmental degradation, Social Disequilibrium, and the Dilemma of Sustainable Development in the Niger- Delta of Nigeria. Journal of Black Studies 34 (5), 686-761
Kimiebi, I. E. (2010). Oil, Militancy and Political Opportunities in the Niger Delta. Lap Lambert Academic Publishing.
KPMG Nigeria (2014). Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry Brief
MOSOP, (1990). Ogoni Bill of Rights. Available online at http://www.mosop.org/ Ogoni Bill of Rights 1990.pdf accessed 21/12/2015
NNPC (2013). Annual Statistical Bulletin. Abuja: NNPC
Nwilo, P. C. & O.T. Badejo, (2005). Oil Spill Problems and Management in the Niger Delta. Paper Presented at the International Oil Spill Conference, Miami, Florida U.S.A.
Obi-Ani, P. (2004). Ethnic Militias in Quest of Social Justice in Nigeria. In Onuoha, J. & Okpoko, P. U. (eds.) Ethnic Nationalism and Democratic Consolidation: Perspectives from Nigeria and the United States of America. Nsukka: Great AP Publishers Ltd
Ogban-Iyam O. (2005). Social Production and Reproduction, Societal Conflicts and The Challenge of Democracy in Nigeria. University of Nigeria Journal of Political Economy, 1(1), 1-51
Okoli, R. C. (2015). Rentierism and the Affliction of Graduate Unemployment in Africa: Evidence from Nigeria, 1999-2012, Paper deliver at the International Conference on Youth Unemployment in Africa held in Harare, Zimbabwe 26-27 February, 2015.
Okolie, A. M. N. (2012). Development Strategies in Disarray: Constructing Nigerian Consensus from Washington and Post-Washington Agenda. ANSU Journal of Peace and Development Studies Vol. 1 No. 1 pp. 33-49.
Okonta, I., & Douglas (2001). Where the Vultures Feast: Shell, Human Rights and Oil. London: Verso
Oladipo, O. (ed) (1998). Remarking Africa Challenges of the Twenty First Century. Ibadan: Hope Publications.
KOmofunmwan, S. & Odia L.O. (2009). Oil Exploitation and Conflict in the Niger-Delta region. Journal of Human Economics: 26 (1) 29-30.
Orubu, O. C., Odusola, A., & Ehwarieme, W., (2004). The Nigerian Oil Industry: Environmental Dieseconomies, Management Strategies and the Need for Community Involvement. Journal of Human Ecology, 16(3), 203-214.
Osaghae, E. E., Ikelegbe, A., Olarinmoye, O. O., Okhomina, S. I. (eds.) (2011). Youth Militias, Self Determination and Resource Control Struggles in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. CODESRIA Research Reports No. 5. Dakar: CODESRIA
Otite, O. (1986). Ethnic Pluralism and Ethnicity in Nigeria. Ibadan: Shaneson Publication.
Pothoim, C. P (1979). The Theory and Practice of African Politics. Engle Wood Cliffs, N.J: Prentice Hall.
Pye, L, (1966). Aspect of Political Development. Boston: Little Brown
Sessay, A.C. Ukeife, Aino O., and Odebiyi A. (eds) (2003). Ethnic Militias and the Future of Democracy in Nigeria. Ile Ife: OAU Press.
Sommel, G. (1955). Conflict and the Web of Group Affiliation. New York: Free Press.
Suberu, R.T, (1996). Ethnic Minority Conflicts in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books.
Umozurike, U. O. (2006). Introduction to International Law. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd
UNDP Nigeria (2006). Niger Delta Human Development Report. Abuja: UNDP Yale University Press.
Published
2014-12-01
How to Cite
OKOLI, Chukwuma R.; NTOL, Matthew M.
The Myth of Militancy: Juxtaposing the Objectives of Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) against Contemporary Realities in the Niger Delta.
GOUNI Journal of Management and Social Sciences, [S.l.], v. 2, n. 1, p. 35-46, dec. 2014.
ISSN 2550-7265. Available at: <http://journal.gouni.edu.ng/index.php/fmss/article/view/47>. Date accessed: 06 may 2018.
Issue
Section
Articles
Keywords
Niger Delta; Oil Exploration; Environmental Degradation; Militancy; MEND
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