Polobubo, also known as Tsekelewu, is a riverine Ijaw community located in the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Nestled deep in the heart of the Niger Delta, this community is rich in cultural heritage and environmental significance. However, Polobubo stands today as a poignant symbol of marginalization, environmental degradation, and a people’s struggle for survival amidst the wealth of crude oil deposits under their ancestral lands.

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Historical Background

Polobubo (Tsekelewu) has a long-standing historical identity as one of the core Ijaw settlements in the western Niger Delta. The community traces its origins to early Ijaw migrations from the central delta areas. Its people are traditionally fisherfolk, farmers, and traders, whose lives have always been intertwined with the region’s waterways and mangrove ecosystems.

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Geographic and Ecological Significance

The Polobubo community is surrounded by a complex web of rivers, creeks, and mangroves, making it ecologically vital. It is located in the Forcados River axis, a major oil-producing zone in the western Niger Delta. The environment supports rich biodiversity, including aquatic species and unique flora, which have traditionally sustained the livelihoods of the inhabitants.

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Socio-Economic Overview

The economy of Polobubo is largely informal and subsistence-based. Fishing, hunting, and small-scale farming dominate the economic landscape. However, the incursion of oil companies since the 1980s has significantly altered this dynamic. While crude oil extraction has brought revenue to the Nigerian state and multinational corporations, it has done little to uplift the economic status of local residents. Unemployment, youth restiveness, and poverty persist at high levels.

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Oil Exploration and Environmental Degradation

Oil companies, including Chevron and others, have operated extensively in and around the community. According to multiple reports and testimonies, decades of crude oil exploration have led to environmental catastrophes:

• Oil spills have contaminated rivers and creeks, wiping out fish stocks.
• Gas flaring has contributed to acid rain and respiratory illnesses.
• Land subsidence and flooding have worsened due to dredging and pipeline installations.

In the December 2023 article by Vanguard Nigeria, community leaders lamented that Polobubo is “battling on all fronts”—a phrase that captures the magnitude of its crises. They accuse oil firms of neglecting cleanup responsibilities and failing to invest in social infrastructure.

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Infrastructural Deficit and Marginalization

Despite its economic importance to Nigeria, Polobubo lacks even the most basic infrastructure:

• No proper road network or bridge connects the community to major urban centers.
• The only access route is through a dangerous and winding waterway.
• Electricity supply is erratic or non-existent.
• Health facilities are grossly inadequate.
• Schools are poorly equipped, leading to low literacy levels and school dropouts.

This infrastructural neglect fuels a strong sense of abandonment by both federal and state governments.

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Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels

Climate change poses an additional existential threat to the community. Rising sea levels and increased flooding are eating away at habitable land. Saltwater intrusion has further degraded the soil, affecting what little farming is possible in the marshlands.

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Governance and Traditional Leadership

Polobubo operates under a traditional council headed by a community king or “Pere.” This institution plays a central role in dispute resolution, cultural preservation, and community mobilization. However, limited financial resources and lack of external recognition weaken its influence in larger policy circles.

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Cultural Heritage and Festivals

The community retains a rich tapestry of Ijaw cultural practices. Annual festivals like the “Egbesu” and “Pere-Ama” celebrations feature traditional music, masquerades, and spiritual rites. These festivals serve as important cultural touchpoints, reinforcing communal identity and offering a brief respite from daily hardships.

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Education and Youth Aspirations

A growing number of young people in Polobubo are seeking education as a means of escape and empowerment. However, barriers such as poverty, lack of access to quality schools, and early exposure to environmental trauma often derail these aspirations. The absence of tertiary institutions or vocational training centers within reach further compounds the problem.

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Community Advocacy and Civil Engagement

Over the years, Polobubo has become increasingly vocal. The Polobubo-Tsekelewu National Council (PTNC) and other advocacy groups have led protests, media campaigns, and legal actions to demand justice. They seek environmental remediation, proper compensation for oil damage, and sustainable development initiatives.

Their efforts, though largely ignored by the state, have started drawing international attention to the plight of riverine communities in the Niger Delta.

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Calls for Inclusion in the Niger Delta Development Agenda

Leaders of Polobubo argue that development initiatives like those undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) rarely reach them. They advocate for:

• A dedicated riverine development fund
• Proper representation in decision-making structures
• Genuine Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) before any new oil activity
• Resettlement and land reclamation projects

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Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Despite the bleak circumstances, the people of Polobubo demonstrate remarkable resilience. They continue to fish, farm, and organize around communal goals. Traditional values of solidarity and communal ownership offer a social safety net in the absence of government support.

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External Interventions and the Role of NGOs

Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), both local and international, have attempted to support the community with health missions, legal aid, and environmental monitoring. However, these efforts are often ad-hoc and underfunded. A more coordinated and long-term strategy is needed to make a lasting impact.

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The Way Forward: A Call for Holistic Development

The future of Polobubo depends on integrated action by all stakeholders—government, oil companies, civil society, and the international community. Key recommendations include:

• Immediate environmental remediation and cleanup of polluted sites
• Full implementation of the UNEP recommendations for the Niger Delta
• Construction of durable access roads and health facilities
• Empowerment programs for youth and women
• Sustainable alternatives to oil dependency, such as aquaculture and eco-tourism

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Polobubo (Tsekelewu) is more than just a marginalized oil-bearing community—it is a microcosm of the Niger Delta’s complex history of wealth, exploitation, and resistance. Its people, though battered by decades of neglect and environmental abuse, remain unyielding in their quest for justice and dignity. If given the chance, Polobubo can transform from a symbol of systemic failure into a model of resilience and equitable development in the Niger Delta.