“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
APRIL 9, 2025 makes it a decade when one of the most influential global thinkers, Oronto Natei Douglas, transited to ancestorhood. Reflecting on the life and times of Oronto, having spent close to two decades of my life with him, has since become a yearly natural occurrence since his transition to eternal glory on April 9, 2015.
Each time I think about Oronto Douglas, fondly called OND by friends and acquittances, I do not only thank God for the privilege to have him as part of my life journey but wonder how he was able to make lasting impact and leave indelible footprints on the historical landscape of the globe. Determined not to turn to a wonderer in my persistent wondering about the great fiats of OND, I purposed in my heart to inquire from him the secret behind his excellence and achievements.
A day came when the opportunity presented itself in one of our private meetings and I threw the question at him. “Chief Ipi, I do not really know. I am only trying to contribute my little quota to the advancement of humanity. In doing this, I try not to be distracted. The little impact we are making is by the help of God.” This was in the late 90s. OND then took me on a memorable lane of his humble beginning and how God has been faithful to him. It is a story for another day. Years later, I found out three underlying factors that made OND a trail blazer and the person he was. The God factor, finding his purpose early enough, and a focus in pursuit of his purpose.
By age, OND passed on at 48 years, but in these few years he traversed the planet earth, the seventh stanza of the famous Psalm of Life poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, best describes OND’s sojourn on earth. Oronto was a great man, and his life did remind us, especially those of us who were close to him, that we can make our lives sublime, and departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.
Oronto Natei Douglas was one of the Niger Delta’s most passionate voices. He was a lawyer, environmentalist, writer, policy adviser, and many more. Oronto was not just a man of ideas, but of action. His life was a testament to purposeful advocacy, intellectual rigour, and selfless service to his people and country. A decade on, his absence is still felt deeply, yet his legacy continues to shape conversations on environmental justice, youth empowerment, and equitable development in Nigeria.
Champion of Communities and the Niger Delta Cause
Born in Okoroba-Ogbia, Bayelsa State, Oronto was intimately acquainted with the challenges of underdevelopment and environmental degradation that plagued the oil-rich but impoverished Niger Delta. His response was not one of apathy or bitterness, but of fierce intellectual resistance and strategic engagement.
As a co-founder of the Environmental Rights Action (ERA)/Friends of the Earth, Oronto was at the forefront of the struggle against environmental injustice in Nigeria. He documented oil spills, challenged multinational corporations inclusive of Shell, Agip, Chevron, Elf and amplified the voices of the marginalized communities of the Niger Delta.
He stood shoulder to shoulder in defence of Ken Saro-Wiwa in the campaign for Ogoni rights and was a critical part of the broader environmental and human rights movement in Nigeria.
Vocal Voice in the Struggle for Democracy in Nigeria
Oronto’s activism was not limited to environmental issues. His involvement in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria and promotion of human rights remains a significant part of his enduring legacies. Oronto’s contributions were deeply rooted in a passionate commitment to justice, freedom of expression, and the defence of marginalized communities, particularly in the Niger Delta.
During the jack boot era and darkest periods of Nigeria’s military dictatorship, especially in the 1990s under the regime of General Sani Abacha, OND emerged as a strong voice. At great personal risk, he actively resisted the military’s suppression of civil liberties, advocating for a return to democratic governance. As a lawyer, he defended several pro-democracy activists who were arrested or imprisoned for opposing the regime.
Oronto was also a key member of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) and other prodemocracy groups. Through various platforms, he not only campaigned for environmental justice but also highlighted the link between environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and the broader political marginalization of his people.
Establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC
Many may not know the story behind the establishment the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Precisely on June 6, 1999, during his first tour of Rivers State, soon after his swearing-in, former President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, wrested a microphone publicly from OND at Government House Port Harcourt because Oronto dared to call attention to the injustice against the Niger Delta.
Oronto told Obasanjo to wait for him to finish his speech, but Obasanjo refused. It took the intervention of prominent personalities in the hall to calm down the situation.
When Obasanjo took the microphone, he thundered. “What do you know about injustice? Have you been jailed unjustly before, like I have? Where were you when I liberated your fathers? If I did not sacrifice my life to defeat the Biafrans, where would you have been to be clamouring for resource control?”Obasanjo then berated the traditional rulers of the state for allowing Oronto to talk to him “like that”.
In the end, all parties left in anger and disappointment. However, Obasanjo received the message that the Niger Delta was not an area to be toyed with. Not too long after that encounter, Obasanjo announced the establishment of NDDC.
Voice of Conscience at the National Political Reform Conference
The 2005 National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) was envisioned as a platform to address the many structural and political challenges facing Nigeria. Delegates from across the country gathered in Abuja to discuss constitutional reforms, federalism, resource control, and the future of the Nigerian federation. It was in this arena that Oronto Douglas distinguished himself – not just as a delegate, but as a principled defender of the Niger Delta and a moral voice in the national dialogue.
Representing Bayelsa State Government, Oronto brought to the conference the lived realities of the Niger Delta people. He was unapologetic in his demand for resource control, arguing that oil-producing communities had suffered decades of ecological degradation, economic marginalization, and infrastructural neglect, despite being the bedrock of Nigeria’s oil wealth.
He articulated the injustice of a system that allowed multinational corporations to extract resources while communities bore the brunt of pollution, poverty, and exclusion. His interventions at the NPRC were not mere speeches – they were moral indictments backed by data, lived experience, and legal insight. He became a rallying figure for minority voices at the conference, advocating passionately for a restructured Nigeria built on equity, true federalism, and environmental justice.
A Strategic Thinker in Government
Oronto made profound contributions to Nigeria during his service as Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research, Documentation, and Strategy. In this role, he brought his characteristic passion for justice, intellectual depth, and strategic thinking to the heart of Nigeria’s presidency.
I can attest that his time in office was marked by efforts to humanize governance, deepen democratic values, and preserve the nation’s historical memory. He was instrumental in developing people-centered policies and pushing for sustainable development initiatives in Nigeria. His commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance was unwavering, even within the complexities of national politics.
Oronto was instrumental in documenting the achievements and challenges of the Jonathan administration with a sense of transparency and historical awareness. He led a team that meticulously archived speeches, policy initiatives, development projects, and official engagements, ensuring that future generations would have access to a comprehensive record of the administration’s work. This effort was not just about legacy – it was about preserving institutional memory and learning. In this endeavour, Oronto’s Office published over 20 books and distributed them to all Federal Government Universities in Nigeria.
Though he held an official position, Oronto never lost his activist roots. He consistently advocated for the voices of the marginalized to be heard in national conversations. He facilitated town hall meetings, policy dialogues, and stakeholder engagements that gave civil society, youth groups, and community leaders a seat at the table in governance processes. One of such programmes was the launch of the Bring Back the Book Campaign, a programme that reached out to students in Secondary and Primary Schools across many cities in the country where books and other school supplies and study materials were distributed.
In his love for education and the intellectual power, Oronto built several libraries for public use across Southern Nigeria. What struck me most in this endeavour, was his conversion of the only building he owns in Yenagoa to a public library named in honour of Prof Ebiegberi Joe. Alagoa, a renown Niger Delta historian.
In his work as Special Adviser, Oronto also supported the creative industry. He recognized the power of arts, literature, and culture in nation-building. He was a strong advocate for the Nigerian creative industry, working quietly to support writers, filmmakers, musicians, and artists.
Oronto was a passionate believer in the power of culture, arts, and youth empowerment. He supported writers, filmmakers, and emerging leaders quietly but effectively. A centre for creative arts, leadership, or youth development bearing his name would inspire future generations to pursue excellence with integrity and empathy.
Born in Okoroba, Bayelsa State, Oronto Douglas exemplified the best of the Ijaw spirit – resilient, principled, and committed to justice. As his home state, Bayelsa has a moral responsibility to lead the way in celebrating his life and ideals. The state government can honour him by:
Ten Years On
Ten years after Oronto’s passing, the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole continue to wrestle with the same issues Oronto fought against – environmental degradation, inequality, and political exclusion. Yet, his vision and values remain as relevant today as they were a decade ago. From youth-led environmental campaigns to advocacy for fair oil revenue distribution, his influence lives on in every effort to create a more just society.
We remember Oronto not with sadness alone, but with renewed commitment. His life reminds us that transformation begins with conscience and courage. As the Niger Delta navigates its path forward, let it be said that Oronto Douglas walked this land and left it better, braver, and more hopeful. Let the Governors of the oil producing states remember that the 13% oil derivation they are enjoying today, is the sweat and blood of Oronto Douglas.
In a time when many young Nigerians struggle to believe in the power of integrity and service, Oronto’s life offers a compelling counter-narrative. By immortalizing him, governments can present him as a role model – a man who rose from humble beginnings to national and international relevance without ever losing his humanity or betraying his people.
May the great, generous and humble soul of Oronto Natei Douglas continue to rest in peace eternal. Amen.
Engr. (Chief) Ipigansi Okumo is the Chairman of the Ogbia Brotherhood Unity Branch – Abuja & Northern Nigeria, and a member of the Ogbia Study Group. He worked with Oronto Douglas for about two decades.
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