An ode to Chief Bola Ige

by 

Harold Smith

  Coastal Oil and Troubled Waters

The seven littoral states Of Nigeria 

(A nation in deep trouble That we love), 

Namely Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers, 

Are asking the Attorney General 

To stop stealing their oil, 

As Britain did too.

The Urhobo Historical Society 

Has put it more politely, elegantly, 

And at greater length, but 

We all fear what the Outcome might be.

I am perhaps prejudiced. 

Carol was secretary to the General Manager of BP, 

when Shell-BP were prospecting in the Delta. 

Carol's boss, Cliff Simpson, 

Feared there was a tragedy 

Here in the making.

My job was to protect the Health and Safety Of the Nigerian people 

And my laws, 

Said the British Attorney General, 

Were the finest, best presented And drafted that he knew.

If only I could draft Laws to help those Wonderful people, 

namely, 

The citizens of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers.

It was my privilege Once to serve These fine people, 

and if The Nigerian Attorney General's mentor, 

The truly great Awolowo Were here today (I loved him too), 

And running Nigeria As he was meant to do, 

He would bring his great Wisdom to bear, 

And justice would prevail.

Awo was a true founder of his nation. 

Though British, 

I too was hounded And criminalised. 

'Treated like An African', someone said. 

The truth about Awo Has yet to be told, 

And all my efforts Have been foiled by the British.

Chief Bola Ige, the Attorney General, 

Can't appreciate how Awo's suffering Was associated with Delta oil,

 Which Britain contaminated by anointing 

A great Empire of Nations 

With the blood of Millions of innocents.

Bloody, bloody Britain, 

To soil a fine record With this foul Treason!

I pray for the souls Of three million dead. 

I pray for the Nigerian Commonwealth Of nations,

 Crazily combined for no Good reason.

I pray that British war criminals 

Will one day be condemned 

For destroying these Fine nations. 

And I commemorate, Celebrate and rejoice 

In the diversity and richness Of all Nigeria's peoples, 

Of whom the peoples of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers 

Are great examples.

February 2001 

Dear Chief Bola Ige:

In this strange week in Nigerian politics, Urhobo Historical Society is much honoured to send to you a poem composed by Harold Smith from the United Kingdom. He wrote his poem in February 2001, following a letter from Urhobo Historical Society to you. You will see in this poem that Harold Smith holds the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in very high regard. We suspect that you and Harold Smith share these sentiments about Chief Awolowo, although it is entirely possible that you may disagree on how the late Chief saw Nigeria.

In order to remind you about the letter concerning which Harold Smith writes, Urhobo Historical Society will send you, again, its letter of February 15, 2001. We pray to the Almighty God that your service to Nigeria will help its people, not destroy them.

Sincerely yours,

Professor Peter P. Ekeh For: Urhobo Historical Society http://www.waado.org