By William Emmanuel Ukpoju
With the ink of deceit and the wallet of manipulation, Western NGOs have launched a covert war against Africa’s oil and gas industry. Their arsenal? Paid attacks, smear campaigns, and a network of puppeteers pulling the strings from behind the scenes. But the veil of secrecy has been lifted, and the truth is finally out.
For years, the Africa Oil and Gas industry has been under siege by Western NGOs, who have been waging a relentless campaign of disinformation and negativity. These organisations, masquerading as champions of the environment and human rights, have been using paid attacks and smear campaigns to discredit Africa’s oil and gas industry and undermine its growth. Only recently, Aliko Dangote raised an alarm, pointing accusing fingers at IOC’s sabotaging the smooth take-off of Dangote Refinery, however, some people did not believe the accusations. The motivations of Western NGOs in targeting Africa’s oil and gas industry are multifaceted. Some may genuinely believe that the industry poses a threat to the environment and contributes to climate change. Others may have economic interests that align with the goals of renewable energy companies or other industries that compete with oil and gas. Additionally, some may be driven by geopolitical considerations or ideological beliefs.
Thus, the revelations by David Hundeyin, a Nigerian journalist, exposed one such attempt by Dialogue Earth, a London-based NGO funded by American intelligence fronts, to pay him N800,000 to write an article discrediting the Dangote Refinery. The brief was to argue that the refinery is terrible for the environment, citing “Environmental Concerns,” “Climate Change,” and “Energy Transition Policy.”
Hundeyin’s courageous decision to reject the offer and expose the NGO’s motives has shed light on the sinister forces at play. Dialogue Earth’s true intention is to counteract the interests of half a billion West Africans by using local voices to advocate against the refinery, thereby maintaining the status quo of Africa’s dependence on European refiners.
The African Energy Chamber, through its Executive Chairman, NJ Ayuk commends Hundeyin for his bravery and supports him in his quest for truth. “Not surprised by this”, he said. We have warned about this for a long time. I have been on the receiving end of a lot of these paid attacks. It only takes $500 or less and they will write some crazy story about us and attack the energy sector”, Ayuk stated.
“These NGO’s understand the game so well. The beauty of negative attacks of the Africa Oil and Gas industry— from their standpoint — is that they influence everyone. Even Africans who believe in oil and gas will be affected by negative attacks from these dark forces. They are pushing dangerous ideas and they try to make us hate investors and oil companies.
“The African Energy Chamber fully supports David Hundeyin and commends him for standing up against Dialogue Earth. We are wholly against a Western NGO trying to use African voices to advance their own biased agenda. The attempt to get a well-known Nigerian journalist to effectively endorse such a smear campaign shows a cowardly approach by the Western NGO to try and destroy the African oil and gas industry, all because they can’t do it with their own names or organizations.
“We have real issues. Energy poverty, women empowerment, local content, jobs, free markets, limited government, low taxes and good governance.
“Once a negative idea has been planted, it’s very hard to shake. So, it’s reasonable to expect that Western NGOs in the upcoming energy debates will be ready with negative frames — frames they hope will stick to Africa’s oil and gas sector and our brains. But we don’t have to be held hostage by the constant negativity”, Ayuk affirmed.
Fighting Back: Strategies to Counter Western NGOs’ Manipulation
The actions of Western NGOs have significant implications for Africa. By undermining the oil and gas industry, these organisations can hinder economic growth, limit access to energy, undermine sovereignty, and contribute to unemployment. To combat the shadow agenda of Western NGOs, a multi-faceted approach is necessary; first, expose their motives and funding sources, by revealing their true intentions to the public. This can be achieved through genuine investigative journalism and whistleblowing.
Next, create and amplify a counter-narrative that highlights the benefits of Africa’s oil and gas industry, showcasing its potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve living standards. Magnify local voices to speak out against the NGOs’ agendas, by providing a platform for African perspectives to be heard.
Additionally, African countries must utilise fact-based arguments to debunk false claims and misinformation spread by these NGOs and further build alliances with other industries, governments, and organisations to create a united front against these manipulative tactics.
Most importantly, there is need to support independent journalism to counter biased reporting and leverage social media to raise awareness and mobilise public support. Also, engaging with policymakers to shape legislation that supports Africa’s oil and gas industry, and ensuring that policies align with African interests must be prioritised. Similarly, African governments should implement measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector. This will help to address concerns about corruption and environmental impacts.
That is not all, educating the public about the benefits of the industry and the tactics of Western NGOs, and promoting critical thinking and informed decision-making is also key. African countries should invest in independent research to provide evidence-based information about the benefits and risks of the oil and gas industry and consider legal action against NGOs that engage in defamation or other unlawful activities, to hold them accountable for their actions.
Furthermore, African countries should build alliances with other countries and international organisations that support their energy interests; intending to actively participate in international forums and negotiations related to energy and climate change. This can help to shape the global discourse and ensure that Africa’s interests are represented.
Overall, there is a need to support African-led initiatives and organisations that promote African interests and foster a sense of ownership and self-determination; Africa must build economic independence by diversifying economies and reducing dependence on foreign aid and funding, thereby weakening the grip of Western NGOs.
By adopting these strategies, Africa can effectively counter the manipulation of Western NGOs and reclaim control over its destiny.
The Gloves are Off: Africa Will Not Be Silenced
The era of manipulation is over. Africa will no longer be held hostage by the whims of Western NGOs and their puppet masters. Africans will not be swayed by their money or intimidated by their power. Africa’s destiny is ours to shape, and our resources, ours to harness.
The battle for Africa’s oil and gas industry has begun, and we will fight with every fibre of our being. The shadow agenda will be exposed, and the truth will prevail. Governments across the continent must not let these Western NGOs use African voices to destroy our oil industry.
We must counterpunch, and hit harder. It’s time to shine a light on these dark forces and expose their motives. The future of Africa’s oil and gas industry depends on it. The covert war waged by Western NGOs against Africa’s oil and gas industry is a complex issue. By understanding the tactics employed by these organisations, their motivations, and the implications of their actions, African governments and civil society organisations can develop effective strategies to counter their influence and protect the continent’s energy interests.
