The Niger Delta Avengers has nominated a seven-man team, including the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, Professor Wole Soyinka and others for a dialogue with the Federal Government.
This was contained in a letter addressed to Kalu and signed by the contact person for the East and Central Zones of the (NDA) , Ballatyne Agiri.
According to Agiri, the nomination of Kalu is based on his outspokenness, integrity and track records.
Others in the team are Professor Wole Soyinka, Professor Steve Odi-Owei, Dr. Anthony Ani, Nalaguo Chris Alagoa and Chief Mobolaji Osomo.
The letter by Agiri reads: “As the contact person to the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and splinters from other oil-producing states of the Niger Delta Region, I, Mr. Ballantyne Agiri, wish to formally inform you that you have been considered credible to be nominated a member of the dialogue team on behalf of the Niger Delta Avengers of the aforementioned areas and the people of the region.
“Your choice as one of the seven-man dialogue team is based on your integrity, outspokenness and life track records.
“Issues constituting the agenda for the dialogue with the Federal Government shall be distributed to members on the floor of our inaugural /conceptualization meeting coming up next week in Port Harcourt.
“Grateful Sir, as you accept to be part of the team to usher in peace, justice and fair play to the Nigerian State”.
Kalu had, a few weeks ago, charged the militia group to sheathe their swords, said that for the sake of national well-being, it is important for all parties to thread with caution. He made it clear that government as an institution cannot be held to ransom.
He however, pleaded with the Federal Government to embrace dialogue as a mechanism for conflict resolution, pointing out that in view of the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, agitations are bound to arise from different quarters intermittently. [myad]
