Resource Control (1): The Genesis of the Quest

Very few readers (if any) are oblivious of the happenings in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria – the gun fights, explosions, killings, kidnappings, etc – that have turn rivers of oil to rivers of blood and fire. Many too are conversant with my apolitical inclinations (at least from previous discourse). I have tried as much as possible to shy away from political confraternities for obvious reasons. In line with that stance, I’ll attempt to look at the Niger-Delta age long quest for resource control from another angle.

Before advancing, I would like to attempt a definition of the term “Resource Control”.

The term “resources” could be used to refer to anything – animate or inanimate, tangible or intangible, visible or invisible, natural or man-made, refined or raw, etc – which acquisition or ownership may provide certain level of satisfaction or benefit to a benefactor. Resources provide satisfaction. By extrapolation, resource control is an act, activity, or series of activities aimed at but not limited to exploring, exploiting, and directing the use (or not) of resources.

The genesis of resource control can be traced to the book of Genesis (in the Bible). Indeed the quest for resource control started since creation (or evolution). The first casualty of this quest (according to Biblical accounts) was Abel. Abel was cut down by his own brother who was jealous of his acceptance by the greatest source of resource in the universe (or multiverse) – God. God’s acceptance of the offerings of Abel and the rejection of Cain’s, ignited a deep sense of (resource) insecurity in Cain, warranting him to do away with the “competitor” – Abel – with the hope that he could enjoy the “resource” alone. It was not to be and he was punished severely for shedding the blood of his brother.

The quest for resource control continued down the generation. Again in the book of Genesis 13 (Bible), we were told of Abraham and Lots squabbles (though through their servants) for resource control. Abraham and Lot were very rich! They were so rich in cattle and servants that the land could not contain both of them living together. In their case, the resource well-watered land for their cattle. It was very scarce and their servants quarrel over them. The crisis was so much that Abraham (being older but humbler) asked Lot to choose any portion while he take the any portion left. Lot chose the “best” stretch of land. They separated.

Perhaps no other book of the bible discusses the genesis of the quest for control of resource more than this same book of Genesis. Listen to this word of God concerning Rebecca’s painful pregnancy:

Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

Here the quest for control of resource (birthright in this case) between Jacob and Abraham had started already begun while in their mother’s womb. Eventually after birth, Jacob the younger of the twins executed the famous “advance porridge fraud” to trickishly steal his elder brother’s birthright. Later on, aided and abetted by his mother, Jacob further stole the blessings (resources) that were meant for his brother.

Indeed the book of genesis is fraught with many incidents of squabbles for resource control that it will take many pages to narrate them all.

But why the squabbles for resource control? What is the way forward? If the reader knows, I would like to share from your knowledge.