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PAGE 8—SUNDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 20, 2022 By Hope Eghagha The 385-page book, “I Spoke at the American Congress: The Little Girl from Okere-Warri” published by Rolldat Publications, Lagos Nigeria, in 2022, is Dr. Evelyn Omawunmi Atsiangbe-Urhobo’s bold and detailed account of her life from the early ages till she retired from formal employment. From the remote corners of Okere, despite all odds, Omawumi Urhobo made it big to the international stage through hard work, common sense, courage and God’s help. It is therefore a written narrative that will, should inspire young people. By their nature, autobiographies capture past personal experiences and how they fit into an institutional, national, or international framework of things which the author believes will be useful to readers by informing, educating, or stimulating them into doing positive things in life. For Dr. Omawumi Urhobo, there is a deliberate attempt to present her experiences from childhood into adulthood through the graceful age of 70 to demonstrate the overwhelming power of disciple, commitment, determination all by the grace of God. So, we are dealing with a book that is introspective and reflective, narrated with the benefit of experience and time. To achieve these, the power of memory is very important. Time obliterates or moderates or plays tricks on memory. However, in the book under review, the author has a knack for recalling intimate details of experiences which she had some sixty-five years ago. And I wondered if she kept a diary from Age 10! Often, biographies tend to be hagiographical; presenting only palatable experiences, leaving out aspects of their encounters with people and institutions which they believe might portray them in bad light. The fighter in Dr. Urhobo abhors this. ‘I Spoke at the American Congress’ by all standards, is frank, honest and unpretentious in the wellarticulated narratives. Indeed, the subtext is that of an activist, a highly focused personality who decided very early the path of life she wanted to tow. With the help of Heaven, she was able to achieve her life’s dreams, concluding at the end of the interesting narrative, that ‘as I cruise on towards my seventieth birthday, I know that God still has a lot lined up for me to achieve. I spoke at the American Congress though biographical, falls into the motivational writing category. For, it details the personal determination and rise of a little girl from the povertystricken environment that was Okere-Warri in the late 1950s and early 1960s to the glamorous world of diplomacy. With little or no role models to copy, an inner spirit spoke to little Omawunmi that she must not end up like the other girls who were made pregnant and whose lives and dreams were truncated by that social accident. Omawumi was by her on account, ‘a militant child who found a cause to fight on every occasion’, who ‘fought for others more than I fought for my own personal causes, p. 59. The book is divided into fourteen chapters. The Foreword is written by Zanele Mbeki, wife of Mr. Thabo Mbeki, former President of The Republic of South Africa. It has attestations from such persons as Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, (CON), her children, Mr. & Mrs. Gbubemi Ukubeyinje, Sa’adat (Stella) Adiah Ibrahim, Mr. John Onyeukwu, Mr. Emmanuel Efeni and others. Each chapter captures the events of that period in her life, told with passion and The 'little girl' from Warri who spoke at US Congress •Evelyn Omawunmi Atsiangbe attention to details. The narrative does not start from the beginning, which is the author’s way of drawing attention to issues and ideas that meant a great deal in her life. The first chapter titled ‘Attending at (sic) the Global Women in Management Workshop’ is an account of a visit to the US when she had the opportunity to address a Committee in the American Congress. That she starts from the middle of the story shows how significant that experience was to her life’s trajectory. The interesting part of this narrative and experience is that she got on the delegation through her commitment to the challenges of the ordinary poor people of society, a woman who never forgot her roots. Because her heart was for helping the less-privileged God continued to give her opportunities that would enable her to fulfill her dreams. Chapter Two takes us through her birth, circumstances, family, and primary school education. She paints a clear picture of Okere in the period under review. It was a community where there were many mothers and aunties and cousins all living together with a degree of harmony despite occasional fights, but with the absence of a father figure. It was also a community where ‘a rather barbaric tradition of killing of twins and children born from incestuous relationships’ (p.62) and where there was a ‘high rate of sexual openness and freedom (which) the young ones are exposed to’ p. 65. This chapter gives us an insight into character formation and development. Despite the predominant licentiousness, the little girl decided very early that she was not going to be a part of it. Writing about the Awankere festivals she observes: “In fact, the festival itself has its sexual connotations. And so, very many young people get pregnant quickly and recklessly with this exposure. ...Growing up there, then, there was this formed consciousness in me that I was not growing to toe this line of promiscuity. p. 65. Chapter Three titled Hussey College (1965-1971) chronicles her years in that elite secondary school and how her days there helped to shape her future aspirations. Some of the friends she made there have remained close after many decades. Her brilliance and speed in athletics started manifesting while in Hussey College and she represented her school, the state, and the country at different sports outings. In Chapter Four, she documents her National Youths Service experience at Ibadan. The narrative in this chapter is very interesting starting from how she secured her posting to Ibadan. Her involvement in the liberation struggle of South Africa using the International University Exchange Fund (IUEF) is captured in Chapter Five, titled ‘My Work with the International University Exchange Fund. The IUEF became a platform which launched her into the global network system. Chapters Seven, Eight, Nine, deal with her interaction with and foray into Education as a medium of developing potentials of individuals in society, Community Banking, and her business ventures. The Morgan Smart Development Foundation narrates activities of this body named for her late father and how it has impacted lives of people. We sense a strong devotion to the memory of her fate father Mr. Morgan Smart Urhobo a boxer who died rather young. In Chapter Nine, she gives a detailed account of her personal life, especially the issue of single parenting. As usual her frank, unpretentious accounts are riveting, educative, and almost philosophical. Her capacity to recall the details of her romantic relationships is remarkable. It shows the personality of the author — she took deliberate and unpopular decisions and has stood by them despite what people may say. Of course, she acknowledges the fact that she was not mentally or psychologically prepared for some of the consequences of single parenting. This did not stop her from rising to the occasion and doing her best. While Chapter Eleven — Travels/Award and Recognition Travels - deals with her travels around the world both for work and pleasure, with all the awards she has won in her colourful career, Chapter Twelve — My Sojourn into Politics — focuses on her foray into the world of politics at the grassroots level in Okere under the umbrella of a political party. In her brief romance with politics, she saw firsthand all the shenanigans of politicians and how the most popular candidate does not always win in elections. Chapter Thirteen, aptly titled ‘The Conspiracy of Silence Against the Women of the Niger Delta’, Dr. Urhobo rails against the neglect which the poor women in the riverine areas of the Niger Delta have suffered over the years. ‘The women live under excruciating poverty, but in most cases, are still breadwinners in their homes and family’. She also blames government officials because ‘when visitations are carried out by top government officials even from the legislative arms, they always end by the water side leading to the riverine communities. p. 371. Though well narrated in smooth and elegant prose, there are a few infelicities that should be corrected before the next edition is published. For example, the possessive apostrophe in nouns is completely missing throughout the text and the printer makes use of a full stop in its place. At page 369, the word ‘exuberant’ is used in place of ‘exorbitant’. Also, some of the otherwise historical and memorable pictures are blurred. A better production or resolution could have been achieved. These infelicities are minor and do not remove the pleasure of reading a wellwritten book which contents are inspiring and educative. I Spoke to the American Congress evinces and promotes the virtues of commitment, love, single-mindedness, caring for the less-privileged through advocacy on behalf of the poor, courage, determination, fairness, hard work and a life of purpose. It promotes the culture of sowing positive seeds in life, seeds that later would generate trees. It will be a good read for the younger generation, especially those who have invested in, or channeled their intelligence to the notorious Yahoo Yahoo social menace because of their desire for quick money. It captures the essence of the old life, how schools and parents inculcated discipline in children. During her career the ‘little girl from Okere’ has won over twenty-five awards from within and outside the country as we read from page 341 of the book. Some of these include: National award as Woman of Honour (WHO) by the National Council of Women Society (2004) A Merit award by the Student Union Government of Petroleum Training Institute in recognition of her outstanding efforts in elevating lives, especially youths in the Niger DELTA (2005). Induction into the University of Lagos Sports Hall of Fame Lagos, 2005. The Corporate Woman of Excellence Award as Community Leader of the Year by Corporate Amazons Magazine Lagos, 2007. African Icon of our Generation Award in 2007 bestowed on her for exemplary life of excellence. An international Award as Woman Millenum Development Ambassador by Teachers Without Borders in the USA. Finally, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the ‘Little Girl from Okere’ author of the well written ‘I Spoke to the American Congress’, the story of the Little Girl from Okere-Warri’ is no longer a little girl; she is now a grand dame at 70, for which we give thanks to God. Congratulations Ma! I spoke at the American Congress though biographical, falls into the motivational writing category *Eghagha is of the University of Lagos.
SUNDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 20, 2022, PAGE 9 AMNESTY PROGRAMME: •Ndiomu By Charles Kumolu, Deputy Editor Sometime in 2009, at Aso Rock Villa, Nigeria’s seat of power, the then First Lady, Turai Yar’Adua, was disturbed over the spate of restiveness in oil-producing states in the Niger Delta region. The nation was recording unquantifiable losses in many areas, especially the economy. Daily unwholesome news from the creeks left much to be desired. At the time, government seemed to have run out of solutions or better still deployed the wrong approach to such a parlous situation. The legitimate force employed, only succeeded in making the area more restive while the nation accelerated toward bankruptcy. Sunday Vanguard recalls that the military had launched a major ground, air and sea offensive to flush militants out of their camps in the area. Like the wife of James Madison, 4th US President, Dolley Madison, who understood the importance of national treasures and saved them from being destroyed when the British burnt down the White House in 1812, Turai knew the significance of peace to the success of her husband’s administration. Behind the scenes, without the knowledge of President Umar Yar’Adua, alongside a few like minded people, she laid the foundation for what later became the Amnesty Programme. This is perhaps unknown to many. You will be amazed to know how she set the stage for what later became the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP. Militants However, there was also the Niger Delta Technical Committee, NDTC, upon whose recommendations, government acted. But the then-First Lady played troubleshooting roles behind the scenes. “We started talking slowly with the militants, when it got to a stage, I told my husband that this is what we are doing. We used to invite them at about 1:30 or 2:30 at night. I used to have meetings with them privately in my office. We would just smuggle them into my office, even though my husband didn’t know until I told him what I was doing. He agreed and said let’s go and see them. From there, we handed over everything, “she stated while featuring in Violence Free World, VFW, interview. Some well-meaning individuals had also sought solutions, but the fact that the idea of amnesty could come from such an unlikely quarter spoke volumes. It clearly underscored the severity of the challenges militancy posed and as well, the urgent need for peace in the creeks at the time. Sunday Vanguard couldn’t get the official record of total money lost to militancy, but After survival, hurdles, expectations The federal government had, last September, appointed the Bayelsa-born exmilitary chief as Interim Coordinator of the Amnesty Office. Apart from serving as the Garrison Commander, Nigerian Army Headquarters and Chief of Training and Operations, Ndiomu held other sensitive positions before he retired in 2017. At the time Ndiomu emerged as head of PAP, government had mulled winding down the programme to the several estimates of losses consternation of those with deep knowledge at certain stages of the of its performance so far. restiveness suggested the As of last September, this paper reported that nation was losing a third government had commenced the process to of its oil production at the effectively shut down PAP by December 31, peak of the crisis. 2022. In a-13-point terms of reference titled: ‘Winding Down the Presidential Amnesty Programme’, Ndiomu was mandated to “ensure the cessation of all processes of contract award immediately, identify and profile beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme from inception between 17th and 31st October 2022.” However, stakeholders in the region kicked against the move, stating that among other things, a lot of its core values haven’t been realised. This resulted in government’s decision to shelve the earlier plan of shutting down the programme. To observers, most of the arguments against winding down PAP highlighted the magnitude of the task before the new leadership. Sunday Vanguard found most of the issues to be inherited leadership gaps. Losses For instance, between 2006 and 2007, an estimated sum of $14.4billion tax and royalty income was lost by Nigeria. This was disclosed by the then Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC,Mr.Basil Omiyi, at a preconference workshop by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists,NAPE. Also, in the first quarter of 2009, a few months before the amnesty declaration, daily losses were put at 1,101,488 barrels of oil daily. Within the same period, about 178.9 billion cubic feet ,cf, of gas production was lost to the unrest. In 2016, former Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said Nigeria lost $50-$100 billion in oil revenue at the peak of the militant attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta, which slashed oil production from 2.2 million barrels per day to one million barrels per day. It was based on the losses and the security threat militancy posed, that Yar’Adua granted amnesty to former agitators in August 2009, leading to the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP. From its inception to date, PAP has had six coordinators. They include Mr. Timi Alaibe, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Brigadier Gen Boroh ,retd, Col Milland Dikkio, retd, and the late Charles Dokuboh. Objectives 13 years later, observers are keen about knowing if the key objectives of the PAP: disarmament, demobilization and reintegration have been achieved. Findings by Sunday Vanguard showed that while what could be called total disarmament and demobilization have been realized, a lot needs to be done in terms of reintegration and other sub-objectives. For instance, incessant attacks on oil facilities by militants are no longer being recorded, leading to an improvement in oil production beyond the pre-amnesty period. But crude oil theft believed to be perpetrated by those in high places has nearly driven oil production to where it was before amnesty proclamation. On the pledge of training and educating 30,000 people, who surrendered at the inception of the scheme in Obubra, Cross River State, some have been trained, educated and given vocational skills in various fields. Among the products of PAP are pilots, lawyers, engineers and welders among others. Irrespective of the successes recorded, stakeholders believe that much needs to be done to ensure the realization of the dreams envisioned by the late President Yar’Adua. Ndiomu The realisation of the total objectives is predicated on how well the present leadership of Major-General Barry Ndiomu, retd, addresses inherited challenges in the management of the scheme. Non-Niger Deltans They include the growing number of beneficiaries of the scheme, over N90 billion debt profile, alleged systemic fraud and existence of non-Niger Deltans in the programme among others. According to information obtained from PAP website, no fewer than 30, 000 people were captured in the programme with 65 percent being youths from Niger Delta-impacted communities. It was learned that what Ndiomu met on the ground was a situation whereby some beneficiaries who have been trained and empowered were still receiving their monthly stipends. The irregularities on the payment list were recently uncovered by an internal audit that was instituted by the new Interim Administrator to clean up the database of the programme. The action had attracted criticisms from few, but many hailed it, saying the programme was structured to run in three phases: training, empowerment and engagement, after which beneficiaries exit. But that wasn’t the case as the number of beneficiaries kept increasing up until the time Ndiomu assumed office. Beneficiaries It is believed that the successful delisting of bogus beneficiaries would save costs for government and ensure the culture of exploiting the system is addressed. A source at the Amnesty Office, who spoke on the exercise undertaken by the new leadership, said: “The painful aspect of the issue is that a lot of people have fed fat from the PAP, many of them are called ‘billionaires’ today. “The main agitators, who really fought, are not part of those who are billionaires today. They were exploiting the programme until Gen Ndiomu exposed their nefarious acts.’’ •...as new leader targets re-engineering of scheme The source further revealed that over the years, scholarships were given to hundreds of non-Niger Deltans. The trend was said to have denied deserving ex-agitators training, which is one of the three phases of PAP. The other stages of the programme are empowerment and engagement. Another source drew a parallel between the composition of PAP and North-East Development Commission, saying it’s difficult to find any Niger Deltan working in the commission. He added that non-Niger Deltans, including those from the North, hold sensitive positions in PAP. The alleged inclusion of non-Deltans in PAP, was, however, corroborated in an interview with Sunday Vanguard by the Grand Patron of Ijaw Youth Council Eselemo, who said, “people like Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and others who are not from the Niger Delta benefitted, according to revelations.” Value Also, Ndiomu was said to have met over N90 billion in debts, which perhaps made the federal government include ascertaining the debt profile in his mandate. A report sighted by Sunday Vanguard stated that the presidency had directed Ndiomu to, “propose a mechanism for the settlement of outstanding debts, if any, by 31st December 2022.” This unarguably confirmed the worries of stakeholders over the indebtedness of PAP. Further findings showed that over the years, the programme has not created much value in terms of employment and engagement of the trained ex-agitators. It is believed that had past leaders taken those aspects of the amnesty deal seriously, many trained ex-militants would have been well engaged in the oil industry activities even beyond the region. Key stakeholders were of the view that had former agitators been fully involved in the massive investments in the sector, Ndiomu wouldn’t have inherited the challenges of engagement and employment. Work in progress This is why many stakeholders want the present leadership, having shown capacity and sincerity, to prioritize engagement and employment of many former agitators. For observers, apart from the likes of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Asari Dokubo, Ateke Tom and a few others, who are now in productive enterprises, many ex-agitators are still struggling. “If Tompolo, NNPC and other stakeholders had leveraged the Training and engagement of the ex-agitators in the p i p e l i n e surveillance contract, it would have reduced the number of untrained ex-agitators and it would have been a winwin situation. The numbers will be trimmed down, just as more value would have been created for government,” a Delta-born stakeholder, who pleaded anonymity, told this paper. As things stand, PAP is a work in progress and not a concluded assignment. This was largely demonstrated through calls by well-meaning Nigerians for President Buhari not to wind down the scheme as planned. Now that the President has given the programme a new lease of life with the decision not to terminate it, the onus is on Ndiomu to re-engineer the operations of PAP. In that regard, it is expected that he makes government see reasons the scheme should be redesigned as a social investment programme. Having demonstrated willingness to deliver through his actions so far, not a few doubt Ndiomu’s capacity at recalibrating PAP along its core objectives. The scheme should be redesigned as a social investment programme
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