Proper study of Niger Delta challenges will guide successes of fight against oil theft, pipeline vandalism – Prof. Aghalino

A University Don and President of Historical Society of Nigeria, Professor Samuel Aghalino has stressed the need for the Federal Government to examine the contemporary challenges of climate change, illicit activities of oil bunkering and over-exploitation of maritime resources in order to tackle interventions and fight against crime and criminalities in the region.

Aghalino noted that such study will provide collaborative solutions that place a premium on our responsibility to future generations.

Professor Samuel Aghalino, who made this known yesterday during the opening ceremony of at the 69th Annual Conference and Congress of the Society in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, noted that the theme of Conference “Historical Perspectives on Water Bodies and the Maritime Domain Since the Pre-colonial Times,” aims to shed light on the narratives that have emerged from interactions with these vital ecosystems, tracing their significance through pre-colonial times to present-day context.

As a professional body, he pointed out that Historical Society of Nigeria, recognizes that water has always played a crucial role in the development of civilizations, adding that rivers and water bodies served as the lifeblood of mostly coastal communities and facilitated trade, communication, and cultural exchanges. Man’s relationship with water is deep-rooted and multifaceted.

Professor Aghalino said: “This conference aims to shed light on the narratives that have emerged from our interactions with these vital ecosystems, tracing their significance through pre-colonial times to our present-day context. We will delve into the ways in which indigenous peoples harnessed and revered water bodies, how maritime practices evolved, and the impact of colonization on these essential resources.

“With the Historian’s craft, we are best endowed to problematise evolving issues in this emerging domain of economic dominance and international relations. As we engage in discussions and presentations, let us remember the vital lessons we can learn from the past.

“The knowledge and wisdom of traditional practices can guide us towards sustainable management of our water resources today, while not also losing sight of global practices.

Moreover, it is crucial for us to examine the contemporary challenges we face climate change. pollution, maritime illicit activities. oil bunkering and its maritime externalities. hydroponics. and over-exploitation of maritime resources -and to seek collaborative solutions that place a premium on our responsibility to future generations.

“Thus, Nigeria’s avowed interest in the maritime environment as attested to with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is a direct realisation of the significance of the maritime environment with the intensification for a space in the blue economy.”

Delivering the ‘Kenneth Dike Memorial Lecture,’ a retired federal permanent secretary and one time Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, SSG, Amb Boladei Igali, said this part of the country’s historical past can now redefine the country’s future, create jobs, increase GDP growth by almost 12%, enhance security and bring in huge benefits to the national economy.

He said: “However, that effort must be concerted. We must look back at history and our historians gathered here can be able to advise policy makers. This means concerted efforts by policy makers to look back and be able to appreciate what water bodies have done for us in the past. Let us thereafter properly situate the sector to become the hub of our national growth and development.

“The family of the historical Society of Nigeria must be able to dissect and place in proper historical context what the various aspects can further contribute to the future of the country.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, Ibedaowei of Ekeptiama Kingdom, who lamented the mismanagement of proceeds from oil wealth and degradation of the Niger Delta environment over the decades, tasked historians to help change the socio, political and economic narratives of the country by speaking truth to power to entrench accountability and good governance.