23
ISSN 1712-8056[Print]
ISSN 1923-6697[Online]
www.cscanada.net
www.cscanada.org
Canadian Social Science
Vol. 11, No. 10, 2015, pp. 23-31
DOI:10.3968/7612
Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture
Economic Injustice in Nigeria (Acts 2:44-45): The Niger Delta Experience
John Arierhi Ottuh
[a],*
; Bernard O. Itebiye
[b]
[a]
Ph.D., Nehemiah Bible College, Okwokoko, Nigeria.
[b]
Ph.D., Adam Igbudu Christian Institute, Emevor, Nigeria.
*
Corresponding author.
Received 8 July 2015; accepted 16 September 2015
Published online 26 October 2015
Abstract
Crude oil exploration and production is a blessing to the
region where it is being carried out in developed nations
but in the case of the Niger Delta of Nigeria it is like a
curse. Using the economic liberation theology model as
a method, this paper aimed at examining the situation of
economic injustice in the Niger Delta of Nigeria in the
light of Acts 2:44-45; 6:1. It also aimed at proffering some
kind of solution to the problem by arousing the interest of
and challenging the Nigerian church and state leaders to
re-examine the issue of the Niger Delta region. The paper
showed that the economic injustice being perpetrated
against the region is the neglect of the region by the
Federal Government and the Multinationals operating in
the region. The work also showed that commissions and
ministry such as the Niger Delta Development Commission
and Federal Ministry of Niger Delta were set as a way to
remedy the problem but monies being appropriated and
released by the Federal Government not withstanding
the fact that some monies go into private pockets does
not commensurate with developmental needs of the
region. The work was concluded on the presupposition
that infrastructural and environmental development can
tantamount to economic liberation for the region.
Key words: Economic injustice; Nigeria; Acts 2:44-
45; Niger Delta
Ottuh, J. A., & Itebiye, B. O. (2015). Economic Injustice
in Nigeria (Acts 2:44-45): The Niger Delta Experience.
Canadian Social Science, 11 (10), 23-31. Available from:
http://www.cscanada.net/index.php/css/article/view/7612
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/7612
INTRODUCTION
Injustice causes problem in a society especially in an
heterogeneous society like Nigeria. Today Nigeria is being
faced with various types of crisis raging from economic,
social, religious and political debacle. The Niger Delta
problem is located within economic deprivation and
oppression. This economic deprivation has led to poverty
in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Although, the region is rich
in crude oil, a verse majority of the people live in abject
poverty. They live in abject poverty because their land has
been depleted by crude oil exploration and exploitation.
Farmers and fishermen in the immediate community of
oil exploration are out of self-employment due to soil
and water pollutions. In the midst of this, the people and
the land of the Niger Delta are being neglected to dance
to the rhythm of human imposed economic fate. This
has caused a rift between the Federal Government (FG)
and the people in so many ways; raging from restiveness
among the youths to the women folks. Amnesty was given
to those who resorted to armed struggle in the region
and were empowered by the Federal Government. Some
promises have been made by the Federal Government of
Nigeria. Niger Delta Federal Ministry was created by the
FG. The East-West road is 70% near completion. Have all
these solved the infrastructural and economic problem of
the people?
This paper therefore examines the situation of
economic injustice in the Niger Delta of Nigeria in the
light of Acts 2:44-45; 6:1. The situation is examined so as
to proffer some kind of solution to the problem arousing
the interest of Nigerians and challenge the Nigerian church
and state leaders to re-examine the issue of the Niger
Delta region. Bodies like the Niger Delta Development
Commission, Federal Ministry of Niger Delta have been
created, amnesty has been given to the militants in the
region and monies have been disbursed to handle the
Niger Delta problem but the economic and environmental
problems facing the region is still prevalent. The concerns