Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has auctioned one of his designed jerseys as he launched a foundation, known as Jay-Jay Okocha Foundation that is aimed at providing a platform for young, talented, but less privileged Nigerian youths to realize their dreams in life through football.
The jersey was bought for N260,000 by the President of Certified Institute of Auctioneer, Nigeria, Mr. Adeleke Hassan.
Okocha who played football to the highest level said that his foundation has entered into an agreement with an online auctioning firm, I-Naira.com to auction his memorabilia, covering the nearly three decades of his illustrious career.
Speaking during the unveiling of the foundation at the I-Naira.com centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, the former Bolton Wanderers play-maker said, “I have been looking forward to this day, to create a platform to give back to the society what football has given me.
“It is a wonderful initiative which I urge Nigerians to support me. It is beyond football because we want to use this platform and bring about lasting unity among Nigerians because I can use my voice to unite this country,” Okocha, who was flanked by his elder brother, Emma Okocha and the chief executive officer of I-Naira.com, Hilary Nwaokor said.
Nwaokor assured that, “from August 1, we will start auctioning his memorabilia and those of his colleagues to raise funds for the foundation.”
The event was attended by former Nigerian stars, including Peter Rufai, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju. [myad]
The Federal Government has added Thursday, July 7 to the public holiday which was earlier declared for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The additional day became necessary as the new moon was not sighted on Monday to signal the observance of Eid-El-Fitri, declared Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July, 2016 as Public Holiday. Minister of Interior, retired Lt Geneneral Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, who announced the additional one day, called on Nigerians to use the holiday period for sober reflections and to ensure harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence.
He asked for full support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained effort to pursue socio-economic and political growth of the nation. [myad]
The Nigerian Prisons Service has suspended 14 officers in connection with the recent Kuje Prison break. A statement by the spokesman of the Nigeria Prison Service, Francis Enobore, listed the affected officers and men as DCP Musa Tanko; SIP Buhari Dogo; PIP Stephen Edogbanya; PIP Patrick Teru; IP Usman Peter; and IP Dennis Makum. Others are IP Fassan Akin; SPA Daka James; SPA Adamu Luka; SPA Zakari Yunasa; PA Asnamal Samuel; PA Ejegwa Patrick; PA 11 Isah Ibrahim; and PA 11 Ngede Salifu. The statement said the two inmates, Solomon Amodu and Maxwell Ajukwu, were standing trial for culpable homicide. The statement said that the suspension of four senior officers has been approved by the Board of Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services. “The suspension is sequel to the outcome of the preliminary investigation into the incident and in consonance with PSR 030406 (2008) Revised Version; the officers were suspended from duty to allow for unhindered trial process. “The commissioned officers among them are to be served with letters of query, while the junior staff will be given Form 96 (Charge Sheet ) to explain their role in the unfortunate saga.” The statement said that efforts to recapture the fleeing prisoners in collaboration with sister security agencies are ongoing. “This is in addition to tightening security measures in and around prison formations nationwide to forestall a repeat of such incident. “The controller general wishes to solicit the cooperation of members of the public to volunteer useful information that will assist in the recapture of the fugitives.” [myad]
The embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has produced Matthew Idurioyekemwen as his own faction’s gubernatorial candidate in Edo State.
Modu Sheriff had conducted a parallel congress during which Idurioyekemwen, who had earlier lost to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the primaries conducted by the PDP National Caretaker Committee, emerged. This was even as Sheriff expressed confidence that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will acknowledge his candidate for the election.
Speaking on Tuesday when he presented certificate of return to Iduoriyekwemwen in Abuja, Sheriff said that he was backed by Justice Okon Abang of Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the electoral body to accept nomination for the September 10 election from his faction of the PDP.
“It is clear from Abuja High Court that INEC is obliged to accept the candidate we are to present.
“You know ideally, most of our officials have travelled for Sallah. We need to do this because, the first working day, we are going to submit our candidate’s form to INEC.
“I have to stay behind to do some of the things so as to ensure that the forms are submitted after the Sallah break.” [myad]
The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned of a terror attack during Eid-al-Fitr Sallah celebration in Lagos hotels which hosts international guests.
In a statement to US citizens published on its website Tuesday, the US Mission statement said:
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria advises that groups associated with terrorist activity might be planning attacks against hotels in Lagos frequented by international visitors, including those located on waterfronts, during the Eid-al-Fitr holidays (5 and 6 July 2016).”
The US Mission also charged Americans to review their personal security:
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria reminds you to review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he is exploring the fastest means to end the economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and amicably resolve the conflicts within the region. in his Sallah message to Nigerians on Tuesday, the President appealed for the support, understanding and patience of all Nigerians and the international partners in this regard.
He called on all patriotic Nigerians to uphold the lessons of tolerance, piety, sacrifice, love, self-denial and good conduct in their daily relationship with one another even as he appreciated the numerous material and human blessings God has endowed Nigeria with. “Let us learn to show gratitude, respect and tolerance to one other, irrespective of our religion, tribe, language and political leanings, as we forge ahead to build on our strengths and opportunities to make Nigeria great again.
“I am not unaware of what Nigerians are going through and I want to use this medium to commend the amazing sacrifices of Nigerians in the face of the temporary economic and social challenges and also reassure Nigerians that my administration is working assiduously towards providing basic needs and other amenities. “Let me also use this opportunity to reaffirm that we will not relent in the fight against corruption and we will ensure that all appropriate and legal measures are deplored to root out this malaise.” President Buhari commended the Armed Forces and security agencies for the gains recorded in the fight against terrorists and the rescue of hostages in the North East part of the country. The President promised Nigerians of better days ahead “even as we remain grateful for your unflinching support to our administration. He particularly congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of this month-long spiritual journey of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in obedience to the Divine Command. I sincerely pray that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices with increased blessing and a more prosperous future. “On this happy occasion, it is my strong belief that all true followers of Islam have been rejuvenated on the true meaning and essence of life and through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we have learnt to imbibe the virtues.” [myad]
Out of the blue, a group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) sprouts. They kill soldiers and policemen. They kidnap and kill oil company workers. Piracy on the high seas. They asked oil companies to stop operations and pack out of the Niger Delta region.
They blow up oil pipelines, power and other infrastructure. They attack and kill prominent individuals, ransacking homes up and down the coastal areas, including lately, Lagos and Ogun states.
All these for what?
It is still unclear what they want. From the diverse, if vague and inchoate voices of the militants, some say they want to take control of the oil resources in the region. Sometimes when the rhetoric gets uglier, they call for the breakup of Nigeria as a country!
The scariest part of what is happening is that the media, in their appetite for sensational stories are egging them on to make a great display of seditious, anti-national sentiment. In the last stages before her government’s defeat of the Irish Republican Army,IRA Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher likened publicity for the terrorist to oxygen needed for survival. ” We must deny terrorists the oxygen of publicity,” and the independent English press gave the Prime Minister a free pass.
In the midst of these unfolding events, President Muhammadu Buhari had maintained an uncharacteristic aloofness.
Many had thought for instance that he would tackle the new onslaught on the economy with the same hawkishness that characterized his tenure as military Head of State in the 80’s. But he did not panic, either.
In fact several of the political leaders of the Delta, themselves severely under pressure for their inability to keep up with salary payments have been in the forefront of the calls for the “strongest possible military action” against the terrorists. The country’s third richest state, Delta State gave notice a week ago that workers salaries can no longer be guaranteed.
So far, the President has resisted the urge to pull the trigger. Yes, the army has mobilized to the region but military action has been stayed as the country absorbs the incredible shock that has come with the fall of oil revenues. Records of oil exports are at their lowest levels in 30 years.
The Punch newspaper, in an editorial on Friday July 1 warned the government about inherent “landmines” in any negotiations: “It is like dealing with a blackmailer: he keeps making all sorts of demands, reasonable and otherwise. Worse, there is a high probability that other splinter militant groups will emerge based on the negotiations with the NDA. They will threaten the state expecting to be negotiated with. At the end of the day, the government would have numerous groups to contend with than it can handle.”
In my conversation on this issue with General Babagana Munguno, the National Security Adviser precisely two weeks back, he informed this reporter that he met 14 groups claiming leadership to the renewed onslaught on the nation’s economic jugular vein.
Each of the groups had been brought to him by a serving governor or a former one; a serving minister or one that had left office with assurances that “this group is the one to talk to.”
The amazing discovery he made from his meetings is the lack of unity among them as each group that came attacked the one that came before it as inconsequential.
Leaning on an editorial by the influential British newspaper the Economist, the Punch recommended strong military action. Quoting the Economist, the newspaper said “Buhari should not try to buy them off. Rather, he should arrest those those who have committed acts of violence or extortion.”
At a meeting with the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact group led by His Royal Majesty King Alfred Diete-Spiff at the State House last Thursday, President Buhari spoke most extensively on his own approach to the crisis in the region.
He told Diete-Spiff, himself a former military governor of the old Rivers State that peace and stability in the the Delta region and the country is the priority of his government and there will be no compromise on this. To show respect for the visiting ruler, President Buhari recalled that he was “a bloody army Lieutenant” when the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass was a military governor.
He disclosed that his decision on what to do dealing with the problem of the region will be based on the reports he is expecting from the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu who is interfacing with all stakeholders; the Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta overseeing the amnesty program and the new management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Allying fears that he would jettison the Niger Delta Peace Plan he inherited from the previous administration, President Buhari told his visitors that he had read the agreements and the gazette outlining the amnesty program.
He said he had asked his officials on assignment on the Niger Delta to look around and see how many of the signatories to the amnesty agreement are still around.
“Let them find out what has been achieved and what is left and then write a report.
“I have asked the Minister of State Petroleum to work with the oil companies. We need to get as much intelligence as is possible before we start talking.
“I sympathize with the investors who borrow money, half way through, their investment is blown away.
” I have encouraged law-enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you (Amanyanabo). When I move in, I will have plenty of information so as to deal with the issue once and for all. We will talk to as many groups as possible. We won’t give up.
“Whatever remains of the Yar’Adua agreement will be met.”
He then talked about the impact of the collapse of the oil prices, which averaged about 100 US Dollars from 1999 to 2015, saying that its fall to about 30 Dollars a barrel some weeks ago was shocking. “I would have been in coma if not for the fact that I was in Oil (sector as a past minister) for three years.”
He then sent an important message at this meeting: “We intend to rebuild this country so that our children and grandchildren will have a good place. But a lot of damage has been done. Tell the people to be patient.
” When you get together, pacify the people. Let them be patient. We will utilize (their) resources with integrity.”
The President’s conciliatory note came a day after he hosted the National Council of Traditional Rulers to a Ramadan Iftar, at which event he asked the rulers to “beg the militants in the name of God to stop their sabotage of the economy.” He appreciated the efforts they and the oil companies were making and said he did not wish to undermine them. This equally signaled a highly conciliatory direction for the resolution of the crisis.
It is clear from the foregoing that the President is taking a bit of time but it is also because he is determined to find a lasting solution to the recurring crisis in the Delta.
It is important for the country that a lesson be learned from the many past meetings and agreements between government groups and the militants that have yielded only short term political dividends. What is wrong with those agreements that they don’t last?
How many of those agreements,joint statements, ceasefires and peace declarations do we have on record so far? Why haven’t they given us peace?
Second issue the President is obviously weighing is the integrity of the country’s internal capacity for the resolution of crises.
Over the years, this country has evolved ways of dealing with problems, real or imagined that threatened its existence from time to time. The amazing thing about it is that solutions emerge from within, that is without the involvement of external influences. This is why we have come this far.
In his desire to build a country in which every part is carried along, he is mindful of the fact that if any part of the body is paralyzed, the whole body cannot be said to be alright. The President is mindful of the fact that the Delta region is an important part of the whole.
But as he charts his course for a permanent peace in the Niger Delta, it is important however that militants don’t mistake his efforts as a sign of weakness.
Garba Shehu Is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity. [myad]
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has alleged that the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, who is currently under investigation for alleged looting, had purchased at least, seven houses since he returned to power in 2014.
Sources close to the investigation of the Ekiti State helmsman said thatsome of the the houses, including the one that worth N1.2 billion in Lagos State, have their transactions handled for Fayose by his close ally, Abiodun Agbele, who is popularly called Abbey. Agbele was arrested on June 27 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It was learnt that Agbele’s arrest was facilitated by a socialite Lagos-based lady, who is close to Fayose and simply identified as Oyin, when he went to pick up the papers for the N1.2 billion house located on Victoria Island.
The documents were meant to be altered so they do not read Fayose’s name again.
However, when Agbele got to the office of Oyin, whose business name is said to be “Safe Haven,” the lady kept him waiting until operatives of the EFCC, whom she had informed of his presence by telephone, arrived.
It was gathered that the EFCC had also closed in on Oyin over some of the Fayose deals and the only saving grace for her was to deliver Agbele to the anti-graft agency.
Oyin allegedly facilitated the purchase of the Victoria Island property.
However, it has been gathered that Agbele is alleging from EFCC’s detention facility in Abuja that he is being coerced into implicating Fayose.
It was earlier reported that when Agbele was detained in Lagos, he only volunteered a two-page statement to the EFCC. In the statement, he insisted that it was Zenith Bank Plc that bankrolled the 2014 election of Fayose.
However, after a failed bid to obtain a court-sanctioned 30-day detention of Agbele failed in Lagos, as reported last week, the governor’s ally was moved to Abuja.
Sources said he has since arriving in the Abuja facility of the EFCC made statements implicating Fayose.
Agbele, is, however, saying that he was being forced to implicate Fayose.
It was alleged he may not be off the hook of the anti-graft agency soon as the EFCC is said to be pressurising him to implicate Fayose as a condition for his release from detention.
Agbele, who was invited to come to the EFCC office in Abuja, was arrested by operatives of the anti-corruption agency in Lagos on June 27 and is still being detained by the EFCC. Advertisement He is being detained as part of the EFCC’s investigation of a sum of N4.7 billion allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser through the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
Accounts of Governor Fayose in Zenith Bank Plc have been frozen by the EFCC over the development.
Informed sources in the EFCC disclosed that Agbele was said to have insisted initially that he did not receive any money from Senator Obanikoro or anyone from the NSA office under retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
Sources said he only wrote a two-page statement while in the Lagos office of the EFCC.
“EFCC appears to be at crossroad now because Agbele was said to have maintained that he won’t lie against himself by saying what did not happen. Agbele was said to be insisting that funds only got into his account through Zenith Bank, donations and not from the NSA office,” the source said.
It should be recalled that Governor Fayose had stated that his election was funded by Zenith Bank Plc, fund raising, donations from friends and associates as well as sales of campaign souvenirs.
He said further that he had no financial transaction whatsoever with the ONSA under Dasuki and Obanikoro either by cash, cheque or electronic transfer.
The governor also challenged EFCC to publish statements made by Senator Obanikoro, his son or any other person associated with money from the NSA office where they claimed they gave him money for the election, adding that what the anti-corruption agency was doing was part of the grand plot to intimidate and harass him into submission.
The source added: “Agbele was said to have told the EFCC that money was transferred to his account by Zenith Bank and it was Governor Fayose that introduced him to Zenith Bank as part of the bank’s arrangement to fund his election.
“He has also said that he was not a politician and that he never had any financial dealing with Obanikoro or the former NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
“However, EFCC is only interested in getting a link between funds allegedly received from the NSA office and Governor Fayose and Agbele is believed to be the only one that can provide that link. “Thus, Agbele may have been given the option of either making statements to implicate Governor Fayose by creating the needed link or remain incarcerated for as along as they desired.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked for the support and investments of the international community in the agricultural and solid minerals sectors as Nigeria moves to reduce dependence on crude oil.
In a farewell audience with the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Sweden to Nigeria, Mr. Svante Kilander, at the State House, President Buhari said that his government would create the enabling environment for local and foreign investments in farming, animal husbandry, fishery and the exploration of solid minerals.
The President said that a planned visit by some Swedish trade and investment delegations to the country later in the year would further encourage the ongoing process of diversifying the Nigerian economy.
President Buhari commended the Swedish government for the support extended to Nigeria in catering for the needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East and the ongoing reconstruction of the areas affected by terrorist attacks.
In his remarks, the Swedish Ambassador said his country was pleased with the sweeping changes taking place across the country with clear results in the fight against terrorism and corruption.
Kilander said his country would continue to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria by encouraging more trade and investments between both countries.
Receiving special envoys from President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan and President Al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan separately, President Buhari advised the two countries to avoid the trap of getting into a mono-cultural economy like Nigeria by diversifying their economies early.
The President also advised the two countries to be more vigilant on security by stemming recruitment of young people by terrorist groups.
He said Nigeria would continue to support the transitional government that had been put in place in South Sudan.
The leader of the South Sudan delegation, who is a Senior Presidential Adviser on Peace, Mr. Nhial Deng Nhial and the leader of the Sudan delegation, Ismail Abdul-Raheem, who is the State Minister, Foreign Affairs, assured President Buhari of their commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.
Both envoys commended Nigeria for the leadership role it had played to ensure peace and stability in their countries. [myad]
Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has described as a lie a statement credited to the leadership of the Senate that he asked that the tussle between the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federation should be over.
Atiku made it clear that at no time he even reacted to the lingering case of alleged forgery of the Senate’s rules. In a statement through his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said that he has not made any comment on the ongoing battle between the leadership of the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over the forgery trial of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. The statement which was issued by Mazi Paul Ibe, quoted Atiku as saying that the last time he made any comment on National Assembly matters was in July 2015 during the leadership crisis in the legislature. The former Vice President said that he was taken by surprise that a section of the media chose to take his 2015 comment, rework it and credited same to him in the current battle of supremacy between the Senate and Malami. He said that the last time he issued a statement on National Assembly matters was on July 2, 2015 when he called for an amicable resolution of the crisis of confidence that arose from the election of principal officers, which bitterly divided the leaders of the Assembly and their supporters. The Senate had in a statement, claimed that the former Vice President said “it is time to move on” from the ongoing crisis of the National Assembly. [myad]
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Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has auctioned one of his designed jerseys as he launched a foundation, known as Jay-Jay Okocha Foundation that is aimed at providing a platform for young, talented, but less privileged Nigerian youths to realize their dreams in life through football.
President Buhari Sharpens Focus On Niger Delta, By Garba Shehu
They blow up oil pipelines, power and other infrastructure. They attack and kill prominent individuals, ransacking homes up and down the coastal areas, including lately, Lagos and Ogun states.
All these for what?
It is still unclear what they want. From the diverse, if vague and inchoate voices of the militants, some say they want to take control of the oil resources in the region. Sometimes when the rhetoric gets uglier, they call for the breakup of Nigeria as a country!
The scariest part of what is happening is that the media, in their appetite for sensational stories are egging them on to make a great display of seditious, anti-national sentiment. In the last stages before her government’s defeat of the Irish Republican Army,IRA Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher likened publicity for the terrorist to oxygen needed for survival. ” We must deny terrorists the oxygen of publicity,” and the independent English press gave the Prime Minister a free pass.
In the midst of these unfolding events, President Muhammadu Buhari had maintained an uncharacteristic aloofness.
Many had thought for instance that he would tackle the new onslaught on the economy with the same hawkishness that characterized his tenure as military Head of State in the 80’s. But he did not panic, either.
In fact several of the political leaders of the Delta, themselves severely under pressure for their inability to keep up with salary payments have been in the forefront of the calls for the “strongest possible military action” against the terrorists. The country’s third richest state, Delta State gave notice a week ago that workers salaries can no longer be guaranteed.
So far, the President has resisted the urge to pull the trigger. Yes, the army has mobilized to the region but military action has been stayed as the country absorbs the incredible shock that has come with the fall of oil revenues. Records of oil exports are at their lowest levels in 30 years.
The Punch newspaper, in an editorial on Friday July 1 warned the government about inherent “landmines” in any negotiations: “It is like dealing with a blackmailer: he keeps making all sorts of demands, reasonable and otherwise. Worse, there is a high probability that other splinter militant groups will emerge based on the negotiations with the NDA. They will threaten the state expecting to be negotiated with. At the end of the day, the government would have numerous groups to contend with than it can handle.”
In my conversation on this issue with General Babagana Munguno, the National Security Adviser precisely two weeks back, he informed this reporter that he met 14 groups claiming leadership to the renewed onslaught on the nation’s economic jugular vein.
Each of the groups had been brought to him by a serving governor or a former one; a serving minister or one that had left office with assurances that “this group is the one to talk to.”
The amazing discovery he made from his meetings is the lack of unity among them as each group that came attacked the one that came before it as inconsequential.
Leaning on an editorial by the influential British newspaper the Economist, the Punch recommended strong military action. Quoting the Economist, the newspaper said “Buhari should not try to buy them off. Rather, he should arrest those those who have committed acts of violence or extortion.”
At a meeting with the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact group led by His Royal Majesty King Alfred Diete-Spiff at the State House last Thursday, President Buhari spoke most extensively on his own approach to the crisis in the region.
He told Diete-Spiff, himself a former military governor of the old Rivers State that peace and stability in the the Delta region and the country is the priority of his government and there will be no compromise on this. To show respect for the visiting ruler, President Buhari recalled that he was “a bloody army Lieutenant” when the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass was a military governor.
He disclosed that his decision on what to do dealing with the problem of the region will be based on the reports he is expecting from the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu who is interfacing with all stakeholders; the Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta overseeing the amnesty program and the new management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Allying fears that he would jettison the Niger Delta Peace Plan he inherited from the previous administration, President Buhari told his visitors that he had read the agreements and the gazette outlining the amnesty program.
He said he had asked his officials on assignment on the Niger Delta to look around and see how many of the signatories to the amnesty agreement are still around.
“Let them find out what has been achieved and what is left and then write a report.
“I have asked the Minister of State Petroleum to work with the oil companies. We need to get as much intelligence as is possible before we start talking.
“I sympathize with the investors who borrow money, half way through, their investment is blown away.
” I have encouraged law-enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you (Amanyanabo). When I move in, I will have plenty of information so as to deal with the issue once and for all. We will talk to as many groups as possible. We won’t give up.
“Whatever remains of the Yar’Adua agreement will be met.”
He then talked about the impact of the collapse of the oil prices, which averaged about 100 US Dollars from 1999 to 2015, saying that its fall to about 30 Dollars a barrel some weeks ago was shocking. “I would have been in coma if not for the fact that I was in Oil (sector as a past minister) for three years.”
He then sent an important message at this meeting: “We intend to rebuild this country so that our children and grandchildren will have a good place. But a lot of damage has been done. Tell the people to be patient.
” When you get together, pacify the people. Let them be patient. We will utilize (their) resources with integrity.”
The President’s conciliatory note came a day after he hosted the National Council of Traditional Rulers to a Ramadan Iftar, at which event he asked the rulers to “beg the militants in the name of God to stop their sabotage of the economy.” He appreciated the efforts they and the oil companies were making and said he did not wish to undermine them. This equally signaled a highly conciliatory direction for the resolution of the crisis.
It is clear from the foregoing that the President is taking a bit of time but it is also because he is determined to find a lasting solution to the recurring crisis in the Delta.
It is important for the country that a lesson be learned from the many past meetings and agreements between government groups and the militants that have yielded only short term political dividends. What is wrong with those agreements that they don’t last?
How many of those agreements,joint statements, ceasefires and peace declarations do we have on record so far? Why haven’t they given us peace?
Second issue the President is obviously weighing is the integrity of the country’s internal capacity for the resolution of crises.
Over the years, this country has evolved ways of dealing with problems, real or imagined that threatened its existence from time to time. The amazing thing about it is that solutions emerge from within, that is without the involvement of external influences. This is why we have come this far.
In his desire to build a country in which every part is carried along, he is mindful of the fact that if any part of the body is paralyzed, the whole body cannot be said to be alright. The President is mindful of the fact that the Delta region is an important part of the whole.
But as he charts his course for a permanent peace in the Niger Delta, it is important however that militants don’t mistake his efforts as a sign of weakness.
Garba Shehu Is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity. [myad]