Akakan Umoh
Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno has dismissed the long-held belief that Nigeria first discovered crude oil at Oloibiri in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in 1956, insisting that historical records point to an earlier discovery in Akwa Ibom.
Eno who expressed displeasure at what is regarded as distortion of history noted that crude oil was first discovered at Ikot Akpa Ekop Village then in Opobo Division but now in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom by Shell (British Petroleum) in 1953.
Although the Governor did not produce any empirical evidence from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, he was affirmative that oil was first discovered in his late wife’s back yard.
Also read: I would not complete Science Park- Gov Eno vows
However, finding by Straightnews shows that crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria at Ikot Akpa Ekop village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area as early as 1953, before it was struck in commercial quantity at Oloibiri in present day Bayelsa State in 1956.
Speaking at at the launching of launched a tree crop revolution initiative at the premises of the recently revamped Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP) in Uyo on Thursday, he insisted ‘‘Let me correct the impression of the Chairman of ALGON that crude oil was first discovered in Oloibiri. Crude oil was first discovered by Shell BP in Ikot Akpa Ekop in Mkpat Enin LGA, my late wife’s village in 1953. The cap is still there.
‘‘It was not Oloibiri in Bayelsa State as wrongly peddled by many people. That is where oil was first discovered. Let’s correct history. When we discover and seal we later lay credence to the new one,’’ the Governor said.
The State Chief Executive used the occasion to refute another story that has gained currency over the years.
According to him, ‘‘That is how we still say Aba Women Riot of 1929 when the actual riot took place in Ikot Abasi LGA. This was so because Akwa Ibom was under the jurisdiction of the place at a time- defunct Eastern Region.
‘‘Akwa Ibom has a place in history and has a place in development of this country. That is why we seek to get back to tourism so that we reclaim our rightful place in the comity of states.’’
Acknowledging that the State procured an initial procurement of 620, 000 oil palm seedlings for distribution to farmers, he said it in furtherance of his administration’s agriculture and food security drive.
“I like to say that oil palm, particularly, in this region, was just a crop, but was a symbol of wealth, heritage, enterprise and community life. I thank the Executive Director who said most countries came to this state (Abak to be precise) to pick our oil palm seedlings and now they are doing well.
‘‘We are just returning to the generational lifestyle. Like the Paramount Ruler said, our forbears used this as a symbol of their wealth. They measured their wealth by the palm oil plantations. They were able to do a lot of things- they sent their children to school abroad. We are coming back to take our rightful place. We are doing work at Akwa Ibom Global in Esit Eket. When I was Executive Director of the place, we did a lot of work there.
He said the State was going to take its rightful place by massively growing oil palm trees across the length and breath of the State, adding that the initiative was a means of creating wealth in the State.
The Governor stated that all farmers selected for the oil palm tree planting revolution in the State have been profiled, 500 households per Local Government Area, for proper guidance, monitoring, and evaluation of the exercise to optimally achieve its set objectives and goal.
“Three years from now, you will begin to harvest to become a millionaire, and it will last forever from generation to generation. We are by this programme placing a major wealth in your hands to grow and prosper significantly,” Eno said.
He enjoined the citizenry to fully embrace the exercise to emancipate themselves economically, adding that, “Anybody that is willing to work, will certainly get something to do to live well in life with his or her family.”
The Governor commended the remarkable collaboration between the State Government and the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, NIFOR, to ensure speedy and reliable supplies of the high quality seedlings.
Governor Eno who had previously served as the Executive Director of Agric Investments in the state investment corporation, said 620,000 seedlings of the oil palm has been procured, and implored the management of NIFOR to endeavour to deliver on the expected supply schedule.
Speaking on AKADEP, he said the facility had been abandoned for many years and was in a sorry state on his first visit, and appreciated the Direct Labour committee for interpreting the dream of revamping the facility.
‘‘This is AKADEP, an edifice built by the government. This is government project, but it has been abandoned over the 15 years. We have to work and revive it. We cannot continue to abandon project like this. This is an extension programme and it has helped our farmers. The staffers are in every local government area and we keep paying them salaries.
‘‘I have visited this place over four times. I pray we don’t run down this place again. And so we will do with other projects. We are working on it. People ask: what is your legacy project? Legacy project is to keep government working, to protect your people and to provide for their welfare,’’ the Governor recapped.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, praised the Governor for his committed investments in agriculture with specific mention of the equipment leasing company, grants, input to farmers, and the Ibom model farm.
Earlier, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government and State Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, had thanked the Governor for his bold initiative towards repositioning and recalibrating the trajectory of oil palm production in the state.
He congratulated the Governor for his pragmatic leadership approach and transformational policies, and assured that local government chairmen will support the tree crops revolution initiative.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIFOR, Dr. Gold Leonard Isona, commended the Governor for his administration’s exceptional foresight and unwavering commitment towards empowering Akwa Ibom citizens through the agricultural revolution vision of the ARISE agenda.
He described the event as not just a ceremony, but a visionary move towards the future of sustainable independence, food security and rural prosperity.
The Paramount Ruler of Uyo, Edidem Sylvanus Okon, commended the Governor for his development strides, especially the Agricultural Revolution and investment in tree crops, and also assured of the support of the traditional institution for the programme.
