Boroism as a Fundamental Philosophy in the Niger Delta Struggle.

Abstract:

Boroism has come to be associated with the fight for political recognition and resource control for the Ijo ethnic group in Nigeria's Niger Delta. A deep respect for the person of the late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, especially in the face of injustice, poverty, exploitation, and persecution, gave rise to this belief system. Today, activists and militant groups fighting for resource control, political recognition, and equitable treatment from the federal government and other major tribes like the Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa/Fulani have made Boroism a core tenet of their beliefs. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to demonstrate how the principles and beliefs of the man known as Boro developed into a potent ideology that is currently serving as a symbol for hundreds of groups and individuals in the Niger Delta region in the struggle against political inequity, exploitation, and oppression. The study reveals that though there has been a shift from the fundamental principles of Boroism as some individuals and groups have started to use the Niger Delta struggle as a vehicle to further their own personal agenda and self-serving goals, by spiritedly pursuing the fight against the government, international oil companies, and private individuals that oppress and exploit the Niger Delta, those who sincerely adhere to the ideas of Boroism have managed to preserve the legacies of Boro. This study utilizes secondary sources of data for its analysis and would be descriptive and analytical in nature.