Ecological Richness and Devastation: Philip Aghoghovwia on the Paradox of the Niger Delta

Dr. Philip Aghoghovwia, faculty in the KPU English Department, joins Green Justice to discuss his work on literary depictions of place and life in the context of resource extraction, with a particular focus on oil, violence, and resistance the Niger Delta. This region, once ecologically rich, has suffered extreme degradation and social deprivation due to the "resource curse". Dr. Aghoghovwia explores the violence of oil production, along with the – ultimately counterproductive – forms of violence that arise in response, imbuing all life with the inescapable violence that is the very condition of accessing sustenance in a political-economy built on the exploitation of oil. He examines the role of poetry, photography, and other media in representing and understanding the environmental and social issues in the Niger Delta. The conversation delves into the parallels and differences between the Niger Delta and Canada's tar sands, highlighting the impact on local communities and the struggles for Indigenous rights. Despite the challenges, Dr. Aghoghovwia emphasizes the hope for a post-oil world that acknowledges the scars of the past and rebuilds with a keen awareness of the environment.www.kpu.ca/arts/english/faculty/philip-aghoghovwia Theme music written and performed by Greg SimmonsCover art by Dan Lett