Date Published: 08/24/09
DORNU KOGBARA’S EXPERIENCE
By TomBari G. McFini
 |
TomBari G. McFini |
Like some others then, it was obvious that she was not a fan of Kenule Saro-Wiwa. Still it may not expressly or necessarily mean that she doesn’t love Ogoni, or treasured the Ogoni agenda or notion and vision of MOSOP, which Saro-Wiwa was unarguably a foremost architect and at the helm of the affairs of the Ogoni movement. Presumably, she may have subscribed to what a small group of Saro-Wiwa’s critics had alleged as “impulsive monopolistic rising influence” on Ogoni affairs. Or hated to credulously embrace the Saro-Wiwamania or join the bandwagon of MOSOP. Either way, in Ogoni her reputation was at great risks, since Saro-Wiwa’s ingenuity has captured the imaginations of vast majority of Ogoni population and beyond. He was prevalently viewed among Ogonis as an extraordinary God-sent moral leader and a messiah: above any other before him and during his life time and that popular perception has brought everyone else below Saro-Wiwa. Consequently, those that parted way with Saro-Wiwa in those hay days had hard time in the mainstream of Ogoni society so their congeniality and reputation were swept away with the wind of the ancient past. But things have since changed for the better, thanks to Ledum Mitee’s MOSOP leadership for mending the once deeply divided Kingdom through vigorous reconciliation, rededication, inclusiveness, forgiveness and unity of purpose.
I am not an overzealous fan of Dornu Kogbara, but as an Ogoni with stupendous Western education [at a time when Western educated Ogonis were very few], coupled with vast experience and great repute in her profession, career and public exposure, at a point I became fascinated and proud of these qualities and her achievements. That appeal soon made me a regular reader of her articles and listener of her opinions: some of them luscious, sometimes acidulous comment that could, no doubts stir up intense mixed feelings. In another sense she was a lone and proud voice of Ogoni, who refused to succumb to gender, stigma and inequality or any form of complex. To a larger extent she was not only a great asset but importantly an impressive source of inspiration to Ogoni women, who were vastly disadvantaged educationally.
Ostensibly intense bitterness is fading away, and so soon shall divisiveness and individualistic tendency gradually diminish to a tolerable minimum, I hope, and Ogonis would learn how to disagree to agree. There have been some systematic changes in attitudes and dramatic shifts on issues within Ogoni and nationally; that have significantly narrowed the gap of polarization and inspired clemency, genuine reconciliation, evenhanded tolerance and mutual understanding. Although in order to survive the perilously surging political trend and volatility in Nigeria, Ogoni people must strive to adjust and drift reasonably and aggressively not only to overcome the immediate and foreseeable challenges but continually so to sensibly and realistically advance Ogoni agenda based on logical consensus and ultimately viable plan for a civil society and nation of their dream.
Once again Nigerians have been thrown into a state of profound speculations as Dornu Kogbara recently (in July) resigned from the Oil and Gas Sector Reform and Implementation Committee chaired by Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, the Federal Minister for Petroleum Resources. It is obvious how sometimes intricate it is or risky to rescind a previous decision. In doing so one is faced with questions and sometimes harsh criticisms from critics as well as fans who would demand answers or explanations. According to THIS DAY (July 29, 200), Ms. Kogbara’s resignation is predicated on what she described as ‘professional, personal and social reasons’. Ms. Kogbara pointed out that Niger Delta was poorly represented on the committee and the people were tactically denied their rights to proper enlightenment and adequate contribution to the process. “I demanded that they should organize road shows in Rivers and Cross River States to sensitize the people on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as well as have their input”. She argued. Her observations are legitimate concern to the people, well articulated and relevant to the committee in order to serve the people well. By Nigeria formula there is high probability or reasonable doubts that Ms. Kogbara was not under intense duress to do things the “Nigerian way”, in order to accomplish the premeditated agenda of a lackadaisical committee or an unwilling government as supposedly against her conscience.
But we must begin to ask whether her resignation was justifiably a laudable decision at this crucial moment? Definitively yes. What impact, pressure or influence will her decision provoke? Not sure! Do Nigerian authorities care about one’s valid point of view or public opinions other than government premeditated agenda regardless of any illogical conclusion? Absolutely not, because minds set of Nigerian leaders are unreasonably impermeable. The democratic experiment in the country is static, lethargic and intolerant to constructive views, or doing so is merely a Western mentality. Alas, Nigerians believe that doing thing in a modern, civilized or enlightened fashion is either being American or British and thus is very un-Nigerian or such practice is not feasible in Nigeria.
Invariably, by Nigerian scornful and secret protocol government appointees are usually required to compromise there principles and values and trade them in for covert government scheme by using surreptitious means in carrying out government stratagem. That is what Ms. Kogbara did not realized, or probably took for granted or maybe her optimism and dependence on her good rapport (with people in high places) and professional proficiency overwhelmed any pessimistic factor.
I learnt that Ms. Dornu Kogbara was a part of the Ogoni delegation that met with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Ufot Ekaette, in Abuja sometime in May, 2009. The Ministry created in September, 2008 was ‘to lead and coordinate environmental and youth empowerment policy initiatives as well as reinforce the government commitment to the overall development of the region’ and these are the ethics she has demonstrated she treasures and stand for. The source also confirmed that she was keenly devoted to ensuring that Ogoni agenda and Niger Delta question should be taken seriously and not lay waste on the Minister’s desk or dossier chamber or worst disappear into the unknown as usual as well as doing everything within her reach to ensure that the ministry is practically meaningful to lives of the people of the region.
Also in another recent development, Princewill former Chairman of the Vision 2020 Subcommittee on Niger Delta expressed no regret but vindication, satisfaction of his conscience and proud of his decision to disengage himself from an assignment destined to fail. He lambasted the government for the obvious dearth of interest to fashion out genuine solutions to the problems in the region. “I feel vindicated by the actions of recent weeks when I decided to resign the office of the Chairman of the Vision 2020 Subcommittee on Niger Delta”. ” “…….. today, I am not only vindicated but also proven that I had the foresight to highlight their lack of respect for the Niger Delta…..” THIS DAY, July 29, 2009.
In retrospect, during his military rule, General Ibrahim B. Babangida appointed Kenule B. Saro-Wiwa as Director of Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance , Social Justice , and Economic Recovery (MAMSER), which was inaugurated July 25, 1987, by President Babangida ’s military administration based on recommendations of a Political Bureau headed by Samuel J. Cookey. The Directorate was to direct exercise in political orientation to sensitize, mobilize and cultivate general support for the proposed transition program to a democratic rule and also an avenue to educate and encourage the citizens to embrace locally made goods and Nigerian products in order to reduce dependence on foreign made products. The underhanded motives of the ‘evil genius’ and his ruling gang was speculative, as Nigerian wondered why Saro-Wiwa accepted an appointment from an uncivil regime he has severally censured and referred to as ilicit regime. Saro-Wiwa resigned from MAMSER few months later. Yet IBB was not done with him: a known foremost critic of military dictatorship, injustice and other social issues that affect Nigerian population. Nigerian leaders do not like to be criticized irrespective of how constructive, legitimate or relevant your concerns may be. He would later pay with his blood for walking the path no one ever dared to.
June 12, 1993, the people of Ogoni through MOSOP unfalteringly boycotted Nigeria’s presidential election between late Chief Moshood K.O. Abiola of the Social Democratic Party and the National Republican Congress’, Alhaji Bashir Tofa. The boycott was a significant strategic decision by the Ogoni people to declare their frustrations; anger and disagreement with the dire danger minority ethnic groups are faced with, disapproval of subjective government policies, despicable laws and irresponsible government in the country. The Ibrahim B. Babangida’s despotic military administration at the time ignored the legitimate point of reasoning of the Ogoni people. That wasn’t all, as the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) colluded with some vulnerable and flappable individuals to counterfeit election results in Ogoni area, where obviously there was no voting. That tells how insensitive, downhearted and cataleptic the country leaders are or irresponsive the government is.
Those who knew Ken Saro-Wiwa and cherish his philosophy would love to see his dream actualized, encourage his supporters as well as his heir, Ken Jr. to truly and courageously stride in the likeness of the “Saint” in whose shadow he walks. The world is yet to see that trait. Since Ken Jr. was appointed (appeased?) June 2006, as Personal Advisor to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Pease, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation; and transition to President Yar’Adua administration as Special Assistant on International Affairs to the president his position on the Ogoni agenda and Niger Delta seemed to have been softened, weakened or compromised. His subservience and continued commitment to serve in governments that persistently suppress and deny the people of the Niger Delta suggests a perilous concession and systematic growth from personal comfort to complacency.
No doubt, Ken Jr. is a smart, intelligent and distinguished Nigerian of Ogoni descent. He may be doing something to keep his father’s dream alive, but for the fact that he is in a troubled ship in turbulent waters (dishonest administrations) his efforts are not good enough. Moreover, his continued commitment to irresponsible regimes without realizing the dishonesty, guile and unwillingness of the governments he serves indicates that something is wrong. To avoid sharing the shame and blames of this mock and repressive democratic regime, it will be honorable for Ken Saro-Wiwa, Jr. to act quickly and perceptibly in a manner that will rekindle the hope his father discovered, evoked and promised or quit.
At the G20 Summit in Europe earlier this year US President Barack Obama charged world leaders and heads of governments to acknowledge the complexity of the world we live in today and pay attention to the wind of change. He warned that era when the leaders of the United States President and Great Britain would sit over bottles of Champaign and decided the destiny of the world was over. He said, now things have changed and leaders need to congregate to discuss, engage the governed and decide what is good for citizens of their countries and make the world worth living. Sadly, it is the antiquated methods that Nigerian leaders still prefer in this 21 st century: that few individuals (aristocrats) reserve the exclusive rights to decide (according to their selfish curiosity) the destiny of all Nigerians. Nigerian authorities believe by concentrating, inducing or pacifying few individuals or inconsequential group in the society the rest of the country’s population means nothing, which is why the problems in Nigeria will continue to rise, expand and last longer than imagined. In fact, it’s no mistake to assume that Nigerian leaders see the rest population or those outside the ruling cabal as merely imaginary objects or non-existent, and so can be conveniently manipulated at will or preferably do without them. This is unacceptable in modern age. No government or country can survive the wraths of the people if the people are not engaged, involved and or do not freely contribute to the process of governance.
With this atrocious philosophy and sadistic mentality still dominating the political structure and leadership in this 21 st century the country can never go forward or emerge from the prevalent national uprising plaguing the country.
Existing or previous infrastructures are been abandoned or in dilapidation; because corruption is not only a practice but a deeply rooted system that is covetously protected by higher authorities and the powerful in the country, every successive administration is therefore driven by disproportionately cupidity and so embarks on politically motivated gigantic projects and symbolic gestures (recipes for high profile corruption), which are used as platform to misappropriate public funds or embezzlement. The authorities employ intimidation, denial, estrangement to cause discomfort and confusion in the country and these strategies have effectively and successfully worked for Nigerian governments for years and shall continue for many more to come, unless civil-minded citizens will engage in something more drastic and determinedly assertive to take the country’s leadership from these crooks, public bandits, and political obstructionists and change the political topography and the system.
Within few months on the stage Ms Kogbara had had more than enough reasons to be evidently convinced that Nigerian government is not willing to address the question of Niger Delta, and both Ms Kogbara and Princewill have exemplified leadership quality needed to rejuvenate people’s consciousness. Government can fool Ms. Dornu Kogbara only once but not all the time.
Dornu Kogbara’s journey from her London base to Nigeria with the hope to serve her country and help to assuage the agony of her people and her abrupt disappointment is a teaching experience, especially for those living outside the country.
While I absolutely agree with Ms. Kogbara on her well articulated line of reasoning and courageous decision, I am gravely perturbed about what next is in for Ogoni and rest of Niger Delta.
TomBari G. McFini writes from United States.
