OIL, ETHNICITY AND BETRAYAL: WARRI’S STORY.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

“An authoritative chronicle of how greed, ethnic politics and failed leadership turned a booming economic hub into a battleground of poverty, bloodshed and broken promises.”

Warri (once billed as one of Nigeria’s great oil cities, home to refineries, petrochemical plants and a deep-water river port) has repeatedly been pushed to the brink. What should have been a modern hub of industry and prosperity instead became the theatre of chronic violence, displacement and economic sabotage. The Warri crisis is not an isolated outburst of tribal spite; it is the predictable, preventable implosion of governance in an oil-rich zone where the rules were rigged, revenues were coveted and local communities were left to fight for scraps.

The immediate flashpoint that detonated the late-1990s conflict was deceptively mundane: the relocation of a local government headquarters. In 1997 the federal government created new local government areas and moved the Warri South-West LGA headquarters from the Ijaw town of Ogbe-Ijoh to the Itsekiri community of Ogidigben. That decision (administrative on its face) was interpreted as a grab for oil rents and political access to state resources. The result was a low-intensity war that escalated quickly into pitched battles, revenge killings and the occupation of oil installations. The violence that followed underscored a simple truth: in the Niger Delta, control over territory is control over oil money.

This was not merely an ethnic feud. Human Rights Watch, after on-the-ground investigation, concluded the violence was “essentially a fight over the oil money” a concise but damning diagnosis. When institutions fail to distribute wealth transparently, social identities harden into combat brigades and youth militias. In Warri the principal actors included Itsekiri and Ijaw militias, with Urhobo groups drawn in at times; the conflict’s web of grievances ranged across land claims, political representation, community boundary disputes and the spoils of petroleum production.

The human toll was devastating. Reports from credible observers describe hundreds killed, thousands injured and mass displacement. Between the broader waves of violence across Delta State and the concentrated fighting in Warri, hundreds of thousands of people were driven from their homes. The Red Cross and humanitarian organizations documented scenes of shattered families, pillaged homes and a spiralling humanitarian crisis. For oil companies and the national economy the costs were also steep: pipelines were blown up, storage facilities seized and production slashed and losses that reverberated through export revenues and local livelihoods.

The economic dimension cannot be overstated. Warri was and remains, strategically vital: it hosts major refinery and storage infrastructure, petrochemical facilities and one of the region’s key ports. Disruptions there were not local problems, but they were national emergencies. During peak episodes of unrest companies such as Chevron and Shell reported dramatic drops in output as installations were attacked or abandoned, underlining how fragile Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy is when social cohesion unravels. The Warri disturbances therefore had direct macroeconomic consequences and exposed how local grievances can become national security risks.

Why did the crisis persist for so long? A combination of structural failure and opportunism. Colonial-era administrative boundaries and the later reorganization of native authorities created unequal access to power and resources; these historical distortions metastasized into contemporary grievance. Successive state and federal governments frequently reacted with ad hoc force rather than durable political solutions. Peace deals were negotiated, only to fray when accountability, resource sharing and local governance were not meaningfully addressed. International analysts warned time and again that quick fixes would not suffice and the violence demanded institutional reforms, investment in transparent revenue sharing and meaningful local empowerment.

There is an additional corrosive element: the rise of armed youth networks and criminal entrepreneurs who profited from pipeline vandalism, oil theft and the chaos itself. Where legitimate opportunity is absent, illegitimate economies thrive. The emergence of groups later associated with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and other militias was partly a product of state neglect but also of cynical manipulation by political actors and shadowy economic interests. The result was a multi-layered conflict in which ethnicity, economics and criminality fed each other in a cycle of violence and impoverishment.

The consequences for ordinary people were predictable and brutal. Beyond deaths and displacements, the social fabric of communities frayed: schools closed, health services collapsed and markets ceased to function. Children lost years of schooling; breadwinners lost access to fishing and farming grounds as insecurity spread. The dream of Warri (a bustling oil city that would lift Delta State’s “Big Heart” into prosperity) was substituted with a daily scramble for survival, where the loudest voices were often those armed and paid by others agendas.

So what must be done to rebuild and reclaim Warri’s future? First, truth and accountability: the history of decisions that stoked the conflict (from dubious boundary changes to corrupt contracts) must be laid out honestly and remedied where possible. Second, transparent revenue-sharing mechanisms must be instituted and enforced so that oil wealth funds local development rather than patronage. Third, durable reconciliation processes are needed that go beyond ceasefires: land boundary disputes require independent adjudication, local governments must be empowered and traditional leaders and civil society should be central to peacebuilding. Lastly, economic regeneration must prioritize jobs, education and infrastructure so that youth have real alternatives to militia life. These are not fanciful prescriptions; they are pragmatic, evidence-based steps recommended by conflict analysts and development agencies.

There is an uncomfortable political truth: Warri’s collapse is a mirror reflecting national governance failures. When central and state authorities outsource order to security crackdowns without fixing underlying political grievances, each temporary “PEACE” simply stores up a deeper eruption. Nigeria cannot afford to treat its oil cities as policing problems alone; they are the seams where the nation’s social contract will either be reforged or finally tear. As one human rights observer summed up bluntly: when oil money becomes the axis of local power, democracy degrades into a rent-seeking scramble.

Warri can be rebuilt; but only if politics change. The Big Heart state of Delta must reclaim the narrative of its capital: investment, inclusion and the rule of law over guns, patronage and impunity. That means politicians need to accept uncomfortable compromises, companies must be accountable to communities rather than complicit in silence and civil society must be empowered to monitor and participate. The alternative is perpetual decline: an oil city that extracts wealth while exporting misery. That is a national scandal we can and must prevent.

Niger Delta Power Holding Company Boss, Engr. Jennifer Adighije Rises Above Distractions

Engineer Jennifer Adighije, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), is walking her way into the history books as one of the finest MDs of NDPHC since its creation in 2005. With a brain functioning at its peak, Engr. Adighije is quietly implementing the company’s mandate which includes building and/or maintaining power plants and other related infrastructure. In line with its 4-fold portfolio ranging from Generation Projects, Transmission Projects Distribution Projects, and Gas Assets, NDPHC has done well in terms of reforms aimed at repositioning the company for greater efficiency. One of Engr. Adighije’s notable achievements includes championing initiates aimed at improving operational efficiency through improved revenue generation. Engr. Adighije is determined to turn around the fortunes of NDPHC. Since her assumption of leadership of NDPHC, Engr. Adighije is pursuing diligently important reforms to optimize the performance of NDPHC assets to ramp up revenue while curtailing excessive and unjustified expenditure within the establishment. And that’s not all, she’s also working hard to enhance NDPHC’s liquidity by aggressively pursuing the recovery of the monumental debts owed to the company for energy already delivered.

Under her leadership, NDPHC, has embraced the use of technology for operational efficiency. She’s leading the NDPHC’s technological drive, leveraging technology to enhance productivity of the workforce to fast track the company’s efficiency and services to the Nigerian people. Described as a visionary woman who leads by example, Engr. Adighije has proved her mettle as a worthy public servant. Her leadership style is characterized by decisiveness and transparency. Engr. Adighije has been a blessing to NDPHC and this is evident in her impressive records after just few months in the saddle as NDPHC boss. Some of the significant achievements recorded under the leadership of Engr. Adighije includes assets recovery – recovery of 110 containers worth over 5 million USD containing critical turbine parts, HRSG parts and other materials that had been abandoned at Onne port for over 9 years. Recouping investments: advanced discussions with NERC on recouping NDPHC’s investments in enhancing TCN’s Transmission grid expansion plan. Not only that, there’s also the restoration of plant assets. In one year, 6 nos. gas turbines across the fleet that were dormant have been restored (GT4 – Calabar NIPP, GT1 – Omotosho II, GT1&2 – Benin NIPP, GT3&4 – Alaoji NIPP); Totalling about 750MW added to the power generation mechanical availability. Talk about debt recovery. The NDPHC under Engr. has been able to recover over 10 million USD from bilateral customers in legacy debts and so much more.

Recently, some faceless people have been working hard to bring into disrepute the reputation of Engr. Adighije by planting tissue of lies branded as allegations in some online platforms. From the disreputable source of the story , any right thinking person can tell that this is nothing but a deliberate effort at demonizing the NDPHC boss, Engr. Adighije. Unperturbed by the baseless report, Engr. Adighije has continued to deliver results backed by evidence. No doubt, she has done well for herself and the NDPHC brand. Engr. Adighije outside the NDPHC boardroom is also a philanthropist in her own right. She has done a lot in the area of service to humanity.

‎LuxeNurse Clinic Expands to Nigeria, Bags  Prestigious GAB Award

‎
‎International healthcare firm, LuxeNurse Clinic has announced the opening of its second branch in Lekki, Lagos, marking a significant milestone in its international expansion.
‎
‎The clinic’s founder, Princess Adekemi Martin, has simultaneously been recognized with the GAB (Gathering of Africa’s Best) Award, a distinguished accolade celebrating exceptional individuals and businesses that uplift the UK, Africa, and the global black community.

‎
‎The GAB Awards highlight outstanding achievement, leadership, and impact across healthcare, entrepreneurship, arts, community development, and innovation.
‎
‎This recognition places Princess Adekemi Martin among the influential leaders shaping the future of healthcare, wellness, and entrepreneurship on a global scale.
‎
‎
‎According to Princess Adekemi Martin, “receiving this award is a blessing and an honour. When I started this journey, I simply wanted to create a space where luxury truly meets care—a place where people feel safe, valued, and confident. This dream began in my home, and within a year I opened my first clinic in the UK. In that same year, God made it possible to expand and open another clinic in Lagos, Nigeria. This award reminds me that consistency, courage, and God’s grace always win. I am grateful to the GAB Awards team, my clients, my supporters, and everyone who believes in the LuxeNurse vision.”
‎
‎
‎Founded in 2024, LuxeNurse Clinic operates under the philosophy “Luxury Meets Care”, combining advanced medical expertise with premium aesthetic and wellness services.
‎
‎What began as a vision within Princess Adekemi’s home has rapidly evolved into an international dual-branch business, offering medical-grade IV therapy, vitamin drips, weight-loss injections, body contouring, fat-dissolving treatments, skin boosters, and a range of aesthetic procedures trusted by clients across the UK and Nigeria.
‎
‎The UK branch of LuxeNurse Clinic is located at Dartford, London, while the Nigerian annex is situated at Lekki, Lagos.
‎
‎
‎
‎
‎
‎