[allAfrica.com] [allAfrica.com_Top_Headlines] Who Wants Niger-Delta Destroyed Vanguard (Lagos) OPINION August 2, 2004 Posted to the web August 2, 2004 By Bonnie Iwuoha TURBULENCE in the Niger-Delta region is one problem that has troubled every well-meaning Nigerian for quite some years. Past military governments did the much they could, in their style, to arrest violence in the region. On assumption of office, President Olusegun Obasanjo took steps to quell the perennial crisis in the Delta especially the Warri area. With the priority that was accorded it, one had expected that before now, the situation would have been brought under perpetual control. One action of government - both military and civilian - which Nigerians cried out against, is the drafting of armed soldiers to the region. It has also been argued that with the huge catchment of arms in the hands of restive youths in the area, it would be naive to allow oil workers and government officials in the region to operate unprotected, hence the presence of armed soldiers. It has been said severally that Nigeria has lost much money as a result of the violent activities of the Niger-Delta youths. It is equally true that many precious lives of dynamic youths have been lost in their struggle to claim what belongs naturally to them. One indisputable fact which everyone knows, is that no meaningful development can be achieved in the presence of violence. This is why both the government and individuals have been suing for peace in the area. One believes that it is in the realisation of the fact that only dialogue can bring an enduring peace in the Delta region, that motivated Governor James Ibori of Delta State, to establish a structure that would pilot the restoration of peace in Warri and other areas within the state that had been associated with violence. The appointment of Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, a consummate democrat as Delta State Commissioner for Inter-ethnic relations and conflict resolution, gladdened so many hearts. Comrade Macaulay was pioneer Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council and immediate past Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Delta State Chapter. Being familiar with dispute/conflict management and negotiation, he began his assignment through personal approach to leaders of the various warring groups in the Warri area and later, the leaders themselves agreed to come together to talk and negotiate with one another. Is it not better to jaw-jaw than war-war?. On the 4th of June, when the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, took its standing committee meeting to Asaba, Delta State, it was heartening to hear that Elders and leaders of Ijaw and Itsekiri in Warri, were talking with one another and beginning to show understanding of the need to harmoniously resolve their differences and allow peace to reign. Sign of development With the development projects one saw on the ground, especially the construction of roads and bridges in areas where hitherto, there were no roads, one had thought that the emergence of a peaceful climate in the area would usher in more development and make life much better for the ordinary people who have suffered unduly. It is difficult to believe that some of the well to do people from the riverine parts of Delta State who reside in Lagos and other cities, have never driven their cars to their native homes due to absence of roads and bridges across the rivers, creeks and swamps in the area. As the Editors took time off their schedule to visit some parts of Delta State, they were conducted to some project sites in Warri, Igbuku, Songhai and other places. Of particular interest were the Ughoton-Omadina bridge which links two communities in Urhobo and Itsekiri Kingdoms, the Bomadi bridge and the Igbuku Ase River bridge. At the foot of the Ughoton-Omadina bridge, we met five young men, three of whom belong to the Urhobo Kingdom while the other two came from Itsekiriland. I asked them how they felt with the completion of the bridge and what effect it would have on the age-long disagreement between their peoples? Instantly, they chorused "ah, we thank God that work on this bridge is being completed". One of them then said that they, the youths of Itsekiri and Urhobo Kingdoms have resolved not to quarrel or fight (sic) any longer. He said they need better education - his words, "we want to go to school and become better human beings, this disturbance here is bringing so much setback." One couldn't get the impression of the Ijaw youths at that spot, because none of them was there. Going by what those Itsekiri and Urhobo young men said, it is clear that some of them are beginning to realise that it is their future that is being destroyed by those who oppose peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Niger- Delta. News of the signing of an accord by elders of Itsekiri and Ijaw Kingdoms last June, must have been greeted with celebration by those who want peace in Warri. To some of us who have been praying for the resolution of the Warri crisis and the cessation of wanton destruction of precious God-given lives in the area, we felt that it was the beginning of a new era in the Niger-Delta. But our joy seems short-lived. which must be resolved and they also identified 15 areas out of the 18, which must be handled immediately, one had thought that the proper thing would have been to allow their implementation while still pressing the government to implement the remaining three. It is pertinent to appeal to all the leaders in the Niger Delta and in particular those of Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo Kingdoms, to embrace the path of peace through dialogue. In conflict management and negotiation, it is wrong for any one to insist on having everything his own way and on terms dictated by him. It is always said, you get some today, allow time and events to pass over them, then return and ask for more. Rome, it is said, was not built in one day. To the youths who are always used by some elders to achieve their goals, some of which are atimes selfish; let it be known that time is hardly recovered once lost. So much blood has been shed in the Niger Delta, blood of youths who should have contributed to the building of Nigeria. This country needs the services and contributions of every citizen. This is certainly not the time for abduction of elders, oil workers or any other person or group. It is not the time to destroy valuable property. This is the hour and time for peace and peaceful resolution of contentious issues through dialogue. It is not the time for violence. Any one who opposes peaceful resolution of the Warri crisis must be seen as an enemy of the youths; a blood sucker whose interest is the destruction of the future of the youths of the Niger Delta. Ministers, legislators and other government official from Delta State should rise now and see to it that the destruction of lives and property in Niger Delta is stopped. Let the accord signed by the elders of Itsekiri and Ijaw Kingdoms over the Warri crisis be visited with understanding and good considerations. The Federal and Delta State Governments should not allow any person or group to obstruct the peaceful moves of those wise Itsekiri and Ijaw leaders.   =============================================================================   Copyright © 2004 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). =============================================================================