THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN ADDRESSING MILITANCY IN BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA

Transcription

1 THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN ADDRESSING MILITANCY IN BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA CECILIA TIMINIEBIPA A. TIMI-JOHNSON, Ph.D Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, Bayelsa State. Abstract This paper examined the role of education in addressing militancy in Bayelsa State. Efforts geared toward addressing the issues of militancy through the use of the Nigerian military forces had failed rather resulting to more violent conflict in the area. The paper discussed the causes of militancy such as oil based marginalization of the people, environment degradation, unemployment and poverty in the area. The paper pointed out the consequences of militancy. This has led to destruction of oil pipelines, violence and hostage taking, collapse of economy activities and insecurity in the state. To remedy the causes and consequence of militancy in Bayelsa State, education which is the most powerful weapon in addressing societal problems and transforming life should be used, by inculcating self reliance for economic and national development including peace and security. Education can become the secret key to government and policy makers in addressing militancy in Bayelsa State. Keywords: Militancy, causes, Consequence and Education The focus on this paper is the activity of militancy in Bayelsa State, Nigeria which has remained a global challenge not only to the state but national security. Bayelsa is a state in southern Nigeria in the core Niger Delta region, between Delta State and Rivers State. Its capital is Yenagoa. The state has a land area 21,110sqkm/10,773km square. Geographically located within Latitude 04o 15' North, 05 o 23' South and longitude 05 o 22' West and 06 o 45' East. The state has vegetation characterized by mangrove forest and in the north it has a thick forest with arable lands for cultivation. Bayelsa State is a picturesque tropical rain forest, with an area of about 371

2 World Educators Forum ISSN : ,110 square kilometres. More than three quarters of this area is covered by water, with a moderately low land stretching from Ekeremor to Nembe (Nigeria Galleria, 2017). However, the oil-rich state undoubtedly has been the pillar of the nation s economy since 1956 where the first oil discovered in commercial quantities was exploited in Oloibiri in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state in Nigeria; but this oil-rich state has been under siege of militancy for some-time now. The militant group s activities in Bayelsa state have created tension and insecurity for both foreign and Nigeria multi-national oil company workers. This has led to companies and other businesses in the area to shut down and some folded up. There has been a sharp decline in oil production which has affected the nation s economy generally. This paper posited the causes and consequences of militancy to Bayelsa state and nation s economy and development. This paper conceives education as the most powerful weapon to address militancy in Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a nation. Brief History of Militancy in Niger Delta Militancy is an idea sold, traded and transferred by extremists to others for destructive purposed. Even if the extremist die, the idea lives on. Militancy in the Niger Delta can be traceable to as far as the mid 60 s. Where a former police officer from this region known as Jasper Adaka Boro organized 150 of his kinsmen to form a rebellion group called Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF). This group was exposed to the use of firearms and explosives in the creeks and bushes. The group agitation was on the equal share of the wealth from the crude oil production in the area. This agitation resulted to kidnapping, blow-up of oil pipeline and declaration of Niger Delta republic in February 23, The group was surpassed by the military government, charged, tried and sentenced to prison for treason. This not withstand the sentence was not carried out because General Yakubu Gowon granted them amnesty and enlisted them in the federal military to fight the civil war. In the 1990s Ken Saro-Wiwa picked and continued the agitation of share from oil revenues and compensation from government and oil companies for environmental oil degradation. Ken Saro-Wiwa agitation for autonomy was a big threat to the military government. This led to his arrest and followers by the then military government. He was charged, tried sentenced to death by hanging by a Civil Disturbances Special Tribunal. The idea lives on; by 1999 Niger Delta youths began another phase of armed campaign and demand for greater control of the oil resources from their land. This led to the most potent of militant group includes the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) led by Henry Okah, the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVP) led by Asari Dokubo and the Niger Delta Vigilante led by Ateke Tom. There are also other smaller armed militia groups such as the TomPolo Boys (TTB), Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), Matyrs Brigade (MB) and Icelanders Coalition for 372

3 The Role of Education in Addressing Militancy in Bayelsa State of Nigeria - Cecilia Tim iniebipa A. Tim i-johnson, i Ph.D Cecilia Military Action (ICMA) (Ogege, 2011). These armed groups engaged in various forms of violent and criminal activities like oil pipe line vandalization, kidnapping of the workers of the oil companies and sea piracy.(ugwuanyi, Obaje, Ohaeri, Ugwu & Ohagwu, 2014). Idea lives on, in February 2016, a new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) was launched with the self-stated agenda of crippling the country s crude production. The group carried out its first attack on a gas line on February 10th, This was followed by other coordinated attacks on oil and gas installations that have reduced the country s oil and gas production, with a devastating effect on the country s economy. The Federal Government has responded to the renewed restiveness with mass deployments of security forces, including gunboats, warships and fighter jets in the region. The spate of bombings by militants and the deployment of government security forces have heightened insecurity in the Niger Delta(Foundation for partnership initiatives in the Niger Delta, June, 2016). Causes of Militancy in Bayelsa State There is no smoke without fire; there is a root cause of militancy in Niger Delta and Bayelsa state in particular. These causes can be attributable to several factors including the marginalization of the people, environmental degradation, unemployment and poverty and parental neglect in the area. Marginalization of the people: Marginalization according to Olanrewaju (2015) is the deliberate disempowerment of a group of people in the federation politically, economically, socially and militarily, by another group or groups, who during the relevant time frame wield power and controls the allocation of materials and financial resources at the centre of the federation. Also, marginalization is generally used to describe and analyze socio-cultural, political and economic spheres, where disadvantaged people struggle to gain access (societal and spatial) to resources, and full participation in social life. In other words, marginalized people might be socially, economically, politically and legally ignored, excluded or neglected, and are therefore vulnerable to livelihood change (Omede and Akhanolu, 2013). The focus here will be on economic marginalization. Economically, the region agitation is primarily on the quest for resource control due and allocation to this region. Due to the poor resource allocation, this region has being grossly underdeveloped,, marginalized and largely affected with poverty. The basic facilities and infrastructure of a modern society like potable water, electricity, health care facilities, good roads, cottage industries and employment are lacking in the area (Sarabjit, 2013). According to John and Festus (2017) allocations from federal government (47.2%), states (31.1%), local government councils (15.2%), and Natural Priority Services Fund (6.5%). Some of the conflicts in the region is a consequence of these allocations, the result of which is the formation of militant groups demanding an 373

4 World Educators Forum ISSN : increase in onshore revenue share to 50%, and extension of the revenue sharing to offshore production. The failure by government to consider the agitation from this region is the result of increase in militant activities such as pipeline and oil producing facilities vandalization by bombing, abduction of expatriate and local oil workers, killing and sea piracy. Environmental degradation: According to Ken Saro-Wiwa cited in Elias (2009) the environment is man s first right: the absence of a safe environment makes it impossible for man to fight for other rights: be they economic, social or political. The consistent oil spills and gas flares in this region have degraded the environment, driven the people out of their farming and fishing trade and enthroned endemic poverty. The land and waters on which the people of the Niger Delta depend for their survival (subsistence existence) have either been taken over by the oil companies and their for-profit operations, or polluted. According to Kadafa, (2012) In August 1983 Oshika village in River state witnessed a spill of 5,000 barrels of oil from EbochaBrass (Ogada-Brass) 24 pipeline which flooded the lake and swamp forest, the area had previously experienced an oil spill of smaller quantity; 500 barrels in September 1979 with mortality in crabs, fish and shrimp. Eight months after the occurrence of the spill there was high mortality in embryonic shrimp and reduced reproduction due to oil in the lake sediments. The Ogada-Brass pipeline oil spillage near Etiama Nembe in February 1995 spilled approximately 24,000 barrels of oil which spread over freshwater swamp forest and into the brackish water mangrove swamp. The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) since 1989 recorded an average of 221 spills per year in its operational area involving 7,350 barrels annually. From a total of 4647 oil spill incidences spilling approximately 2,369,470 barrels of oil into the environment of which 1,820,410.5 (77%) were not recovered. Most of these oil spill incidences in the Niger Delta occur on land, swamp and the offshore environment. The environmental consequences of elaborate land and River degradation on the inhabitants of Bayelsa State are enormous. The main occupation of the people is farming and exploitation of aquatic life for livelihood. Environmental degradation affects the livelihood of people in the area both land and river degradation. Environmental degradation in the riverine areas occurred by careless dumping of waste materials like chemicals and spillage from oil companies operating in that area. The environmental consequence is the devastation of aquatic life for livelihood, increasing high level of hunger and poverty in the fishing and farming communities. This led to several youth jobless and the only way to survive is engaged in illegal activities like sea piracy, abduction of expatriate and local oil workers for ransome. Hunger and poverty can lead people to do many illegal things. This is one of the events that led to militancy in the Bayelsa State. 374

5 The Role of Education in Addressing Militancy in Bayelsa State of Nigeria - Cecilia Tim iniebipa A. Tim i-johnson, i Ph.D Unemployment and poverty: Unemployment and poverty are cancer-virus to any economy and society in general. Unemployment and poverty are socio-economic challenges that are intricately interconnected and evident in Bayelsa State. The main occupation of the Bayelsa people is farming and fishing for livelihood but to the environmental degradation; it is difficult to deal with loss of means of livelihood and higher cost of living without alternative substitution or compensation by either government or oil companies operating in the area. This scenario has led to high rate of unemployment and poverty in the area. Unemployment can lead people to engage in illegal businesses or activities in order to survive. According to Alabi (2014) many social problems such as prostitution, robbery, alcoholism, domestic violence, social, religious and civil unrest and suicide and militancy to mention but few, become more severe in times of high unemployment. There is a linkage between unemployment, poverty and crime, when people cannot earn an income from legal, legitimate and social acceptable work/means; they turn to illegal activities. The challenge of social and crime control become a serious issue as the rate of unemployment becomes increasingly unchecked. The level of insecurity in Nigeria today is rising at an alarming rate. However, the Niger Delta amnesty programme in 2009 show that Bayelsa State had the second highest number of registered militants in Nigeria. Amnested Militants in the Niger Delta, December 2009 S/N STATES MALE FEMALE REGISTERED 1. Abia Akwa-Ibom Bayelsa 8, , Cross-River Delta 4, , Edo Imo Ondo 2, , Rivers 8, ,052 Total 26, ,361 SOURCE: Niger Delta Amnesty Programme (2010) Cecilia The table only showed the registered militants. The truth is the number registered is less than the unregistered probably due to fear or strategy by government to apprehend and kill them. Unemployment and poverty is the root cause of the criminal activity in Bayelsa State. Unemployment and poverty have made many Bayelsa State youths to be vulnerable to militancy. For many of the youths, see militancy as a means of livelihood and survival. Furthermore, Ukeje (2006) describes, 375

6 World Educators Forum ISSN : the unemployment issues to some degree linked to oil extraction as youth feel that they have been purposely denied positions within the extractives industry. Similarly, Oluwaniyi (2010), in his survey of youth in communities in Delta and Bayelsa States, finds inability to find employment, particularly in the extractives industry, as a major grievance amongst youth. Parental neglect: The increase in militancy is traceable to inadequate parental guidance and control. This has contributed to societal problem of radicalization in Bayelsa State. (Nimi, 2014) Youths involved in militancy have lost parental control and proper upbringing by their parents when family values of respect for elders, honesty and the virtues of hard work are thought. In many instances, the parents of the youths that involved in militancy activities have no knowledge of their children s whereabouts. In Bayelsa, especially in the coastal area, many children grew-up without the fatherly tutelage. The reason is that the degree of extra-marital affair is high. Where the women have children with different men without marriage. These men see having children with different women without marriage as normal life-style. Due to the women means of livelihood is small and low without the support of the fathers of these children. The children are exposed to survive on their own from a very young age. When parents failed their responsibility to train their children, the environment or society will take up the responsibility. Whatever the society offered these children that is what they see and believe as a way of life. Many of these militants are from such family background. This means of survival exposed the children to vulnerability to manipulation by militant groups. Tobor cited in John and Festus (2017) also suggest that the indigenes from the Niger Delta region joined militant groups because of their perception of being oppressed, as their main source of livelihood which is farming and fishing had been destroyed without adequate compensation. Consequence of Militancy in Bayelsa State The consequence of militancy includes the following: destruction of oil pipeline, kidnapping and hostage taking, collapse of economy activities and insecurity in the state. Destruction of oil pipeline: Militancy activities on blowing oil pipeline with bombs have led to destruction of aquatic life through oil spillage and water pollution (streams and rivers) that serve the local people for domestic activities. According to Ikechukwu and Marshall (2017) NNPC report indicated that Nigeria lost 643 million litres of crude oil or N51.28 billion as a result of 3,000 incidences of pipeline vandalization in NNPC reports that between , it recorded 18,000 incidences of pipeline vandalization while the figure for January to May, 2016, no fewer than 1,447 incidents leading to loss of 109 million of litres of petroleum products and 560,000 barrels of crude oil to refineries were recorded (Vanguard, August, 2016). In 2016 a total of

7 The Role of Education in Addressing Militancy in Bayelsa State of Nigeria - Cecilia Tim iniebipa A. Tim i-johnson, i Ph.D Cecilia incidents of pipeline vandalization was recorded in two (2) months as against 3000 in 12months of 2015.The record of 3000 pipeline vandalization shows a monthly average of 250 incidences as against average of 800 incidents recorded between January and February, 2016.This shows an increase of 220% pipeline vandalized in the year 2016 compared to The 2015 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report showed that Nigeria has dropped from 1st to 2nd position as the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of $296 billion while South Africa with a GDP of $ 301 billion rand s ranks first position in Africa. Kidnapping and hostage taking: Kidnapping, hostage-taking and death has been a major tactic of the militant groups with foreign nationals working with oil companies as primary targets. In January 2006, Hostage-taking of oil-workers started in Bayelsa after the declaration of Operation Orido Danger by MEND with the kidnapping of four set of hostages. Over two hundred (200) expatriates had been kidnapped; although, most have been released within weeks in exchange for ransoms, typically hundreds of thousands of dollars. Thousands have been killed; have their home destroyed and suffered different types of violence (Fidelis and Egbere, 2013).The militancy activities in Bayelsa State have created tension and insecurity for both foreign and Nigeria multinational oil company workers. This has led to companies and other businesses in the area to shut down and some folded up.again, due to this frequent attack by militants, many companies have shifted their base to nearby Africa countries operation. This has increased unemployment situation in the Bayelsa State among the youth creating room for more tension and insecurity in the Country. Collapse of economy activities and insecurity: The consequence of militancy activities has increased unemployment rate as oil companies lay-off workers due to low production, withdrawn from areas of operation, shut down production activities and high threat of new businesses to survive in the area. According to Ikechukwu and Marshall (2017) Nigerians unemployment figure rose to 22.45million, as job loss hits 710,693 in the first year of Buhari s administration. Banking sector had the highest impact on job losses through retrenchment; Zenith 1,200, Sky 175, Diamond 400, Ecobank I,040, Fidelity 500, and shipping industry 3,000 employees. Tribune of 1st September, 2016 reported that 1,000,000 Nigerians lost their jobs in 3 months. Eboh (2016) in cited in Ikechukwu and Marshall (2017) Vanguard Newspaper of August, 2016 reported that oil output dropped to 295million barrels in 5months with a short fall of 36.15million barrels or 10.91% from recorded in the proceeding five months of August- December, January May 2016 output translates to an average daily crude output of 1.97million barrel per day (mbpd) according to data released by the NNPC and it is a reflection of production shut-ins following increased militancy siege on oil installations. 377

8 World Educators Forum ISSN : Education as a tool to address Militancy in Bayelsa State Militancy is an idea sold, traded and transferred by extremists to others for destructive purposed. Militancy is a bad idea; so, we do not fight a bad idea with weapons of war such as guns, machine-guns and others. A bad idea can only be defeated by a better idea. Education is that better idea to handle and address militancy in any nation in the world. Many have said that, education makes a man easy to lead and very difficult to confuse and convince into negative act. This is why, Oboada, Nwachukwu and Daniel (2015) saw education as the process of acculturation through which the individual is helped to attain the development of his potentials and their maximum activation when necessary according to right reasons and to achieve thereby his perfect self-fulfillment. They also said, education helps to harness or tap the potentials of individuals and it is an essential tool for refining the talent, skills or potentials of individuals. Festus and John (2016) held that education plays a pivotal role in preventing and transforming violent conflicts as well as helping to form and shape behaviours and identities. Education is the most powerful weapon to address militancy in Bayelsa State. The education refers here is vocational and technical education. Based on the objectives of the vocational and technical education, it is suitable in addressing the militancy as a problem to national development and security. According to the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2013) on the National Policy on Education for vocational and technical education as follow: To provide trained manpower in applied science, technology and commerce particularly at sub-professional grades; To provide the technical knowledge and vocational skills necessary for agricultural, industrial, commerce and economic development; To provide people who can apply specific knowledge to the improvement and solution of environmental problems for the use and convenience of man; To give an introduction of professional studies in engineering and other technologies; To give training and impact the skill leading to the production of craftsmen, technicians and other skilled personnel who will be enterprising and self-reliant and To enable our young men and women to have an intelligent understanding of the increasing complexity of technology. The Role of Vocational and Technical Education in Addressing Militancy in Bayelsa State 1. This form of education would not only solve the problem of poverty and unemployment but also trained the militant youths to be vocationally or technically oriented. This would enable them to be self-reliant, self-productive and responsible to themselves and the society in general. These vocational skills should include automobile skill, computer engineering skills, electrical skills and many others. 378

9 The Role of Education in Addressing Militancy in Bayelsa State of Nigeria - Cecilia Tim iniebipa A. Tim i-johnson, i Ph.D Cecilia 2. This form of education helps militants youth to be self-motivated to work not only for self but for national growth and development. Thereby, creating a friendly environment, new businesses and possibly oil companies that have left the area to other nearby Africa countries can come back. 3. Vocational education must be seen as an instrument for transforming these militant youths to good and responsible citizens. This is not only for individual benefits but also to transform Nigeria s raw materials into finished goods and services that will promote and enhance standard of living since Nigeria economy is driving toward rapid industrialized nation in the Africa and the world respectively. 4. The Federal Government and Oil companies in the area should train these youths through vocational and technical education to be self-employed by assisting them with soft loan and micro credit. This will lead to employment creation and poverty reduction among the youth. The long run effect, militancy will be a thing of the past. Conclusion Militancy is an idea sold, traded and transferred by extremists to others for destructive purposed. Militancy is a bad idea; so, we do not fight a bad idea with weapons of war such as guns, machine-guns and others. A bad idea can only be defeated by a better idea. Education is that better idea to handle and address militancy in any nation in the world. Education is the most powerful weapon to address militancy in Bayelsa State. The education refer to here is vocational and technical education. Based on the objectives of the vocational and technical education, it is suitable in addressing the militancy as a problem to national development and security. References Alabi, T. (2014). Youths Unemployment and Crime Control: an Analysis of Nigerian Experience. European Scientific Journal January 2014 edition.10 (2): Eboh, M., (2016). Nigeria loses N13 Billion to Oil Theft, Vandalism in One Month, Vanguard, Tuesday, May 31, 2016, p21. Elias, C. (2009). Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND): Political Marginalization, Repression and Petro-Insurgency in the Niger Delta. Discussion Paper 47. Printed in Sweden by GML Print on Demand AB, Stockholm 2009 Grafisk Form Elin Olsson, Today Press AB. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2013). National Policy on Education (4th Edition).Abuja: NERDC. 379

10 World Educators Forum ISSN : Festus, E. O. and John O. T. (2017). Nigeria s amnesty program: An educational and cultural perspective. African Educational Research Journal. 4(1):1-7. Fidelis, E. A. and Egbere, M. I. (2013). The Effect of the Cost of Militancy and Unrest or Peace Accounting on the Productivity of Private Organisations in Nigeria. International Journal of Public Administration and Management Research (IJPAMR), 2(1): Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND, June, 2016). Resurgence of Militancy in the Niger Delta: Update on the Niger Delta Avengers. Ikechukwu, D. and Marshall, S. E. (2017). Effects of Niger Delta Militancy on the Economic Development of Nigeria ( ). International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Research.3(3): Kadafa, A. A. (2012). Environmental Impacts of Oil Exploration and Exploitation in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Environment & Earth Sciences. 12(3): Nigeria Galleria (2017) On Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Nimi, B. (2014) Insecurity in the Niger Delta of Nigeria and Its Outcome. A Paper presented at a forum organized by the Association of Rivers State Communities UK & EIRE (ARCUK) in London. Oboada, A. U., Nwachukwu, P. O., and Daniel, E. E. (2015) Academic Background, Socio-Economic Status and Gender: Implications for Youth Restiveness and Educational Development in Rivers State. International Journal of Applied Sociology.5(1): Ogege, S. O. (2011). Amnesty initiative and the dilemma of sustainable development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development,4(4): Olanrewaju, J. S. (2015). The issues of Integration and Maginalization in a Federation: South-South Question in Nigerian Politics. International Journal of Politics and Good Governance.6(6.4):

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