Watch Oloibiri

Oloibiri is a Nigerian drama film from 2015 that tells the story of the devastation caused by the exploitation of natural resources in the Niger Delta, specifically the oil fields in Oloibiri. Directed by Curtis Graham, the film features a talented cast including Olu Jacobs, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and William R. Moses. The movie begins with flashbacks to the 1970s when Oloibiri was a prosperous community where people lived peacefully and thrived on farming and fishing. However, this soon changes when a foreign oil company discovers that the land is rich in crude oil. The community is promised that this discovery will bring them prosperity and development. The people of Oloibiri are thrilled, and oil drilling begins in the region.

The excitement quickly turns to horror when the oil company spoils the farmland and pollutes the water. Fish die; the soil is rendered useless, and the health of the people is affected. Despite numerous protests and complaints to the government and the oil company, Oloibiri is left abandoned without adequate healthcare or infrastructure, and the people are forced to live with the environmental degradation caused by oil drilling.

Fast forward to the present-day, and we are introduced to Gunpowder (Richard Mofe-Damijo), a former militant and the leader of the Niger Delta Liberation Front (NDLF), a group fighting against environmental degradation and the exploitation of natural resources in the region. Gunpowder is trying to obtain information and evidence from a corrupt government official, who is in cahoots with the foreign oil companies.

Gunpowder's mission is interrupted when he is informed that a foreign journalist has arrived in the region to interview him. The journalist, Susan (Diana Bello), wants to know more about the fight for environmental justice in the Niger Delta, and Gunpowder is happy to oblige. He takes her on a tour of the oil fields and the areas affected by oil drilling.

Throughout the tour, we see the extent of the damage caused by oil drilling in the region. We also get to hear the stories of the people who have been affected the most by the environmental degradation. These stories are heart-wrenching as they show the impact that the exploitation of natural resources has had on the lives of individuals and their families.

Another character in the film is Chief T.S. Daniels (Olu Jacobs), a retired petroleum engineer who was responsible for the initial drilling of crude oil in Oloibiri. Chief Daniels is now old and ill, and he spends most of his time reminiscing about the past and how the discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri led to his downfall.

Overall, Oloibiri is an eye-opening film that sheds light on the environmental degradation caused by oil drilling in Nigeria. It highlights the fact that the exploitation of natural resources often does more harm than good, especially for the people who depend on those resources for their livelihood. The film features some great performances by its cast and an engaging story that keeps the audience hooked until the end. If you are a fan of drama or interested in learning about the effects of oil drilling in Nigeria, Oloibiri is definitely worth watching.