Column Beyond the search for oil in the North

Let me reiterate; it would be great if we find oil more oil in Nigeria especially in the inland basins but that search should not preclude our focusing on developing other resources, especially our vast agricultural and human potentials. My conclusion last week needs emphasising; “Let us not get fixated on the notion that real wealth is only in the ground to be dug out or pumped up; real wealth is in innovations, in intellectual efforts, in agriculture, in manufacturing, and in building things and providing services that people need and are willing to pay for. Wealth is created and not just discovered in the dirt below our feet”.

Our governors should focus on these simple things; “Educate people, build infrastructure, create jobs, provide accessible funds for businesses, support and modernise agriculture and animal husbandry, use funds judiciously and honestly; that is the only way out”. I also insisted that “Oil, gas or any other mineral would be a bonus but they are no magic wands”.

Needless to say that piece elicited so many comments. Maigari wrote to say; “Yes (your article is) factual and true, but why oil of all minerals and resources? Right from the days of the Sardauna, there were many minerals available for exploitation and development, yet the Northern elites relied almost entirely on ‘allocations’ from crude oil sales to the point that that the North is now dependent. The North has been neglected and underdeveloped by the Northerners that matter, and that is the issue we have to face and decide come 2015”. These comments are identical to those posted in Facebook by Muhammad Na Iya a “selfemployed dairy farmer”. While attractive to many the claim on “dependence” is not valid in respect of the First Republic.

Jika agree that “the emphasis should be on human capital development without which even if the oil is discovered, it will be of no value added to immediate community and indeed the larger society. Please LET US EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE WISE.” Most Niger Deltans would agree with that as the greed of the elites seems to be the only thing that often gets fed by petro-dollars in Africa.

Idoko Inalegwu wrote: “Regions should be allowed to explore their potentials. Oil in the north will act as reserve since the wells in the south are exhaustible. Oil exploration in the north should complement the resuscitation of g/nut and cotton production. Human capital development should be vigorously pursued for effective resource utilization.”

To Tahir Yakubu “Exploration of oil, gas or any other mineral in the north, are not the current issues. The real issues currently facing Nigerians today are honesty and accountability.” To which

Agwamba added “Your advice is timely. It is not just for the Northern Governors

When Cameroon discovered oil, the Canadian came to Chad and used 3D technology and also discovered oil, while the Chinese used the same 3D and discovered oil (in Niger). I am sure with information at my disposal it is a matter of time before oil is discovered in vast quantities than even in the Niger Delta. All our oil will be routed through Cameroon, Chad and Niger republics. In-sha Allah, the militants and the ethnic jingoists like Edwin Clark, would soon hide their tail behind their backs in shame.”

but for all the Governors in Nigeria. Apart from generating wealth, we will reap the dividend of peace as security since there will be employment for the people. In addition, since governments will depend on tax revenue, they will be forced to ensure accountability”.

Musa Ahmed Zayyad puts it this way: “The problem is that majority of Northerners refused to think beyond oil. Everybody is praying for oil to be discovered so that we can be at par with the South. The North refused to invest in mechanized farming like Brazil and Thailand, What about Gold in Zamfara and Katsina? What about solid minerals in Nasarawa? What about Solar power generation? Germany is producing 32GW of electricity from solar, and Northern Nigeria is far ahead of Germany in terms of Sunlight exposure. The list is endless. But the North is blinded by OIL discovery, which is becoming a mirage. (It is) so sad, and very unfortunate.”

Many people phoned, texted or posted complaining that I seem to be playing down the significance of oil or even denying its existence in the North. One example is H. Madaki, who insisted that “Crude oil was found in Niger and Chad Republics (areas) that were initially they ruled out as a non-carbon deposits terrain; they were both abandoned by the major oil companies. When Cameroon discovered oil, the Canadian came to Chad and use 3D technology and also discovered oil, while the Chinese use the same 3D and discovered oil (in Niger). I am sure with information at my disposal it is a matter of time before oil is discovered in vast quantities than even in the Niger Delta. All our oil will be routed through Cameroon, Chad and Niger republics. In-sha Allah, the militants and the ethnic bigot like Edwin Clark, would soon hide their tail behind their backs in shame.”

While the first line of argument makes sense it is really conclusions like that which are disturbing. There could be oil and other hydrocarbon deposits in the hinterland and the Federal and State governments should do all they can to find them along with all the other mineral resources that obviously abound, using more current exploration technology. We should do these for ourselves, for our future and the future of all the children in Nigeria. It should really not be a competition with Niger Delta or anyone/ anywhere else.

Oil, gas, solid minerals, agriculture, infrastructure should be developed so that our people, all of the, could actualise their full potential and provide food, clothing, health care, basic education, housing and other essentials for a dignified existence in peace and harmony. Jobs and education are the keys. Thus far, the focus has been elite competition for bigger share of a “national cake” instead of baking a bigger and better cake.

So many people sent their comments and I thank all of them especially Shehu Kaikai, Dr. Peter Deshi, Bashir Adamu,

Umar Lukman, Musa Bello (Mac B), as well as Otori Abdulaziz, Jika Usman, Aliyu Shehu, Kabir Mukhtar Galadanchi, and many others, for their useful insights and contributions on this matter. Perhaps

Mohammed R. Bala’s comment would do as a convenient conclusion. In response to my piece last week he wrote: “They won’t listen to you Mallam.” I strongly suspect that to be the case, My Brother, but it really doesn’t matter as long as “we” continue trying to understand what is really wrong, and dare to imagine better alternatives. For democracy to thrive we must keep on learning and debating.