In the spirit of the season, we wish the government and the good people of Nigeria a happy and truly prosperous new year. We pray for peace and security to promote the progress of the nation.
However, we also hasten to acknowlege that peace that is only defined by the absence of conflicts usually does not last. Rather, peace that is grounded in social justice tends to stand the test of time.
The youths of Oron in Akwa Ibom State use this opportunity to draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerias to the plight of our community as an oil-producing community. Let it not be said that we are only now awakening to a sense of wrong and exclusion because of the NDDC appointment. We had extensively documented our historic marginalization in 2013 and 2014 when it was the turn of Oron to produce the Governor after the other larger groups, the Ibibio and the Annang, had had their turns, Of course, the above mentioned two groups ganged up and denied Oron, the third largest, the opportunity.
For the avoidance of doubt, Oron is the largest oil-producing community in Akwa Ibom State. Oil production and oil revenues ought to be our protection and cushion. Again it is not because others must deploy their might and sit in judgment over what we must or must not have. It is, therefore, a curious paradox in the din of “uncommon transformation” that in Oron there are no schools or hospitals properly so-called. There are no roads, jetties or ferries taken for granted since colonial times.
Oron youth present, perhaps, the highest indices of hunger, poverty and unemployment in the entire South-South. It is the only oil-producing community where this is the reality. It explains why they are scattered all over Nigeria in search of means of liveihood. Amnesty Programme came , the occupation governments of Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State never registered one Oron youth.
Currently such oil companies as Addax, ExxonMobil, Muni Pulo, Seven Energy, TotalExploration, Universal Energy and Afren (which is at a point of the divestment), among others, operate in Oron. The current level of misery in the land is an eloquent testimony to their repudiation of the concept of local content and corporate social responsibility worthy of open governmental investigation. It creates a potentially combustible atmosphere which is unpredictable.
Nevertheless, in respectful obedience to the wise counsel of our political, traditional and business elites, Oron youths have kept the peace. We have trusted our fortunes to the sense of justice of the Nigerian state and its democratic leadership. Oron will not become a majority group tomorrow. Therefore, what we deserve today should be given to us because oil is a wasting asset.
A clear compensatory opportunity to help redress this anomaly has offered itself in the opening of the position of Managing Director of NDDC. Oron deserves it by virtue of the volume of oil and revenues it accounts for. Oron deserves it because it is never in short supply of citizens of wide and deep educational, managerial and professional integrity. Oron deserves it because the people have been exemplary in conduct and patriotism. Oron deserves it if this President Buhari’s Administration is to be counted upon to do justice both to kings and paupers.
Let no story of senatorial districts be told here as was done in the governorship election to deny Oron a deserved chance at governance of Akwa Ibom State.
Let not any person‘s or group’s capacity to lobby in high places deny Oron the chance to produce the NDDC Managing Director.
It is the logic of Nigerian official appointments that everyone believes that he or she is better represented when his own person is there. Oron did not start this practice. Oron will not stop it either until Nigerians learn to be fair and just, being helpful to all without let or hindrance.
We are the youths, the leaders of tomorrow. The foundation of tomorrow is laid today either in equity and justice or in exclusion and conflicts. What we request is a sense of belonging; an affirmation that when we sow as we do, we deserve a just reward. Give us NDDC Managing Director now!
Long live Oron Youths!
Long live Akwa Ibom State!!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Comrade Victor Anwanakak Barr. Aniefiok Omen Bassey
President Secretery
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