Author: TAMUNOFINIARISA BROWN

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BREAKING: Finima Youth Congress Engages at National Diaspora Day Youth Empowerment Summit 2025 in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria — 25–26 July 2025

In a powerful convergence of leadership, vision, and youth empowerment, the 2025 National Diaspora Day Youth Empowerment Summit was held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja. The two-day event, held from 25th to 26th July 2025, brought together policymakers, youth leaders, diaspora influencers, and development advocates from across the globe. Among the prominent delegates was Comrade Darlington Tobin, Chairman of the Finima Youth Congress (FYC), who proudly represented his community and region with dignity and intent.

The summit, hosted under the auspices of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and themed around “Harnessing the Power of the Diaspora for National Development,” was a part of the annual National Diaspora Day celebrations, which have grown to become a cornerstone event in Nigeria’s global engagement calendar.

Dabiri-Erewa to Nigerian Youths: “Embrace Hard Work, Discipline, and Dignity”

During the summit, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, issued a clarion call to the Nigerian youth. With her signature candour and deep connection to diaspora affairs, she urged young Nigerians to embrace the timeless values of hard work, discipline, and dignity.

“These three values—hard work, discipline, and dignity—are not just character traits, they are passports to enduring success,” she said.

“In a world that often rewards shortcuts, we must remind our youth that it is integrity and perseverance that truly open doors. Whether you live in Lagos or London, Bonny or Boston, your name and your values will precede you.”

Dabiri-Erewa’s address was met with standing ovations and strong applause from youth representatives and dignitaries alike, underlining the resonance of her message in today’s complex socio-economic landscape.

Finima Youth Congress Chairman, Comr. Darlington Tobin, Represents Bonny Youth with Honour

Of special significance to the Niger Delta region was the active participation of Comrade Darlington Tobin, the Chairman of the Finima Youth Congress, who travelled from Bonny LGA, Rivers State, to partake in the high-level dialogue sessions.

Comrade Tobin was not merely a spectator; his voice echoed through the halls of Aso Rock as he advocated for greater diaspora investment in youth-led innovation, the need for infrastructure development in coastal communities, and the inclusion of Niger Delta youths in national policy dialogues.

In his brief statement following the summit, Comrade Tobin remarked:

“It was an eye-opening, empowering experience to see how the Nigerian diaspora continues to invest their time, skills, and resources in our national development. We at Finima Youth Congress are committed to translating these engagements into tangible projects for the empowerment of our people.”

He also hinted at upcoming collaborative initiatives that would focus on entrepreneurship, ICT training, and climate resilience programmes in the Bonny Island region.

Youth Development Minister Hon. Ayodele Olawande Meets Comrade Tobin

Another highlight of the summit was the meeting between Comrade Darlington Tobin and Hon. Ayodele Olawande, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development. The interaction was both symbolic and strategic.

While specifics of their conversation were not disclosed, sources confirm that topics ranging from youth capacity-building, rural enterprise development, and the integration of youth voices in policymaking were discussed.

This meeting has sparked fresh hope that more youth-focused federal interventions may soon reach areas like Finima, which have historically been underserved in the national youth development landscape.

The Bigger Picture: Diaspora and Domestic Youth as Change Catalysts

National Diaspora Day is not merely a commemorative event—it is a symbol of Nigeria’s intent to bridge the gap between its sons and daughters abroad and the growing potential of its population at home. With over 15 million Nigerians living in the diaspora, their collective remittances, ideas, and connections offer a unique opportunity for national development.

This year’s summit gave young Nigerians a platform to engage directly with diaspora professionals and policy architects, learning how to:

Build sustainable partnerships between local youth groups and diaspora organisations
Utilise remittance-driven venture capital for SME growth
Foster youth inclusion in governance at all levels
Embrace digital transformation as a pathway to global competitiveness

For many attendees, it was a turning point in their leadership journey.

An Inspirational Message to Nigeria’s Youth

In a powerful concluding statement issued by Comrade Abraham Brown, Director of Social Welfare and Youth Development for Finima Youth Congress, young Nigerians were reminded of their inherent potential and the role they must play in shaping the future of the nation.

“To the young people of Nigeria at large, we say: believe in yourself, work hard, and never give up on your dreams. You have the power to shape Nigeria’s future and make it a better place for all.”

“As we celebrate the youth, we remind them that they are the future leaders of Nigeria. Be bold, be fearless, and be determined to make a positive impact in your communities.”

This message, coupled with the actions of leaders like Comrade Tobin, serves as a beacon of hope in a country yearning for transformation through its most valuable asset—its youth.

Where Do We Go from Here?

The journey ahead remains long and filled with obstacles, but events like the 2025 Diaspora Youth Empowerment Summit rekindle the collective resolve to invest in youth, prioritise education, embrace innovation, and harness the talents of Nigerians both home and abroad.

As Finima Youth Congress continues to work tirelessly to elevate the voices of the Bonny Island youth, the participation of its Chairman in national dialogues is not just a win for the community—it is a message that no region is too far, and no youth too small, to make a difference.

Final Thoughts

The future of Nigeria lies not only in the power of its economy or the strength of its institutions but in the dreams of its youth, the reach of its diaspora, and the unity of its people.

We look forward to seeing the initiatives, partnerships, and ideas from this year’s summit take root—especially in Finima and similar grassroots communities—where they are needed most.

NSE Honours Engr Dr Dagogo Lambert Brown with Prestigious Fellowship

The Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) has conferred its prestigious Fellowship on Engr. Dr. Dagogo Lambert Brown, a renowned professional and distinguished community leader. The ceremony, held recently, recognised his exemplary contributions to engineering, leadership, and national development.

Engr. Dr. Dagogo Lambert Brown, who currently serves as the Head and Alabo of the Buoye Omuso Brown Royal House and Amadabo of Finima, bears the traditional title of Kongo the VII. His dual role as both a seasoned engineer and a traditional ruler underscores a unique blend of technical excellence and cultural stewardship.

A long-standing member of the NSE, his elevation to the rank of Fellow is a testament to decades of professional dedication, academic distinction, and impactful service. His engineering career spans various sectors, where he has demonstrated innovative thinking and unwavering commitment to national progress.

He was accompanied to the event by prominent Alapu (chiefs), including Alabo Abinye Owen Brown, Alabo Tuonimi Iyariari, Mr. Kariibi Idamieibi Brown, and a host of other dignitaries. His wife, Mrs. Atonye Dagogo Lambert Brown, was also present to celebrate this landmark achievement.

Beyond the technical realm, Dr. Dagogo Lambert Brown’s influence as Amadabo of Finima has brought renewed focus to community development, heritage preservation, and youth empowerment in the Finima, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. He is widely respected for his advocacy on sustainable development and indigenous rights within the Niger Delta.

The conferment of Fellowship marks a significant milestone in his career and reaffirms the NSE’s commitment to honouring engineers who embody excellence, integrity, and leadership both in profession and in society.

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By Engr. Tamunofiniarisa Brown

Ancient Finima

Origins of Finima: From Ancient Ijaw Settlement to IOC Host Community

Introduction

Finima—one of the Niger Delta’s most ancient Ijaw settlements—lies on the southern shore of Bonny Island in Rivers State, Nigeria. Long before the rise of Bonny town (originally Okoloma), Finima was already established as a thriving riverine community around 1000 AD. Its deep roots and kinship ties set the stage for its later role as host community to Shell’s Bonny Terminal and the NLNG gas-liquefaction complex. This feature traces Finima’s evolution through seven well-documented phases, grounding every claim in archival records and contemporary reports to ensure full veracity.

Finima’s Foundation and the Kin of Okuma (c. 1000 AD)

Long before Bonny Town emerged, Finima was already settled by descendants of Okuma, a patriarch from Ebeni Toru on the Isedeni River (present-day Kolokuma LGA, Bayelsa State). Okuma’s four sons—Kongo, Opuamakuba, Alagbariya and Asikunoma (Asimini)—each founded riverine communities. It was Alagbariya who, in the 13th century, ventured downstream to establish a new township at the mouth of Bonny Creek, naming it Okoloma (later Bonny Town). By contrast, Finima (founded by Kongo) had flourished some three centuries earlier as a trading and fishing enclave, leveraging its creeks for commerce in fish, salt and forest products. This genealogical and archaeological consensus confirms that Finima predates Bonny’s urbanisation by several hundred years.

Finima, the most ancient community in Bonny

Pre-Colonial Trade and Early European Contact (15th – 18th Centuries)

Finima’s prime location on the Atlantic coast made it a vital node in trans-Saharan and coastal trade routes. From the 15th century, Portuguese mariners called at Bonny Island, exchanging cloth, metalwares and spirits for palm oil and ivory—goods often brokered by Finima traders. By the late 18th century, British shipping logs record Finima-linked canoe flotillas delivering palm kernels and salted fish to Fort Jacqueville on the Gold Coast, underscoring its regional reach.

The Palm-Oil Boom and Colonial Concessions (19th Century)

With the trans-Atlantic slave trade’s decline by 1830, Finima and neighbouring Bonny pivoted to palm-oil exports. Company ledgers from Liverpool and Hamburg house records showing annual shipments of 15,000 tonnes of kernels sourced in part from Finima by 1860. The 1886 Oil Rivers Protectorate Treaties then formalised European firms’ concessionary rights along Bonny Creek—groundwork for the later oil era.

Shell’s Arrival and the Birth of the Bonny Terminal (1936 – 1961)

Shell D’Arcy secured its first Nigerian exploration licence in 1938 and made the country’s inaugural commercial oil discovery at Oloibiri in 1956 . Recognising Finima’s deepwater advantage, Shell-BP negotiated land access from Finima chiefs and—as early as July 1958—began dredging Bonny Creek to construct export jetties. On 4 April 1961, the Bonny Terminal was officially commissioned, capable of berthing 70,000-ton tankers. This industrial leap transformed Finima’s shoreline overnight, introducing pipelines, expatriate camps and a new class of unskilled labour drawn from the community .

NLNG and the Gas-Liquefaction Era (1989 – 1999)

In 1989, Nigeria LNG (NLNG) was incorporated as a joint venture between NNPC, Shell, Total and ExxonMobil to monetise associated gas reserves . Detailed EIAs under the 1992 FEPA Act selected Finima as the site for onshore liquefaction trains. Construction of Trains 1–3 began in 1995, and on 27 March 1999, NLNG loaded its first commercial cargo from the new LNG jetty. In tandem, NLNG established the 1,000-hectare Finima Nature Park, conserving critical mangrove and freshwater-swamp habitats in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation .

Resettlement and the Shifting Livelihood Landscape (1998 – 2005)

NLNG’s footprint required the largest involuntary resettlement in Bonny history. Between 1998 and 2001, NNPC funded 500 modern housing units—brick-and-mortar homes with electricity and potable water—for more than 3,000 displaced Finima residents . While many found formal employment in operations, maintenance, security and logistics (with over 300 indigenes on NLNG payroll by 2005), others struggled to convert traditional fishing and trading skills into industrial roles, prompting calls for accredited vocational training.

Finima in the 21st Century: Heritage, Host-Community Dynamics and Beyond

Today, Finima balances millennia-old Ijaw customs—age-grade societies, Ekine masquerades and burrhorn festivals—with modern governance structures: Community Development Committees, quarterly liaison forums and digital-literacy workshops. According to NLNG’s 2024 Sustainability Report, 35 percent of its workforce is local and 10 percent of procurement value flows through Finima-based SMEs; yet community bodies continue to press for higher local-content quotas, transparent fund-management and comprehensive remediation of legacy oil-spill sites in adjacent creeks.

Conclusion

Finima’s journey—from its founding by Okuma’s sons around 1000 AD, through centuries of pre-colonial trade and colonial concessions, to its emergence as the host for Nigeria’s premier oil and gas exports—underscores a uniquely layered heritage. By anchoring each phase in genealogical records, archival treaties and corporate reports, this narrative lays to rest prior inaccuracies and affirms the community’s primacy. As Finima charts its path forward—seeking deeper local-content integration, ecological resilience and cultural preservation—it stands as a living testament to the Niger Delta’s enduring interplay of tradition and hydrocarbon ambition.