Niger Delta: Too much of this cutting off the nose to…

This is a wakeup call to all ex-agitators. There is a need for them to wake up and face the issues at hand. Even in a battlefield there is room for peace. It is important to set the records straight, youths from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria agitated for resource control and oil derivation […]

This is a wakeup call to all ex-agitators. There is a need for them to wake up and face the issues at hand. Even in a battlefield there is room for peace. It is important to set the records straight, youths from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria agitated for resource control and oil derivation from the crude oil produced in the region.
The continuous agitation led to the nomination of a Niger Delta son to become a Vice Presidential candidate, later, he became Vice President, then Acting President and finally an elected President. This was a huge compensation, because even at the party level that singular act changed the zoning formula within the then ruling party system. Their agitation also caused the federal government to set up the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme in 2009.
This present administration, despite the economic challenges, has continued to sustain the Amnesty programme, but unfortunately, a new set of armed youths are determined to disrupt economic activities in the region and the country.
The Ijaw Community Association in Abuja (IJCA) is calling on youths under various fronts to desist from worsening the already harsh economic condition in the region. This is a wakeup call for all present and ex-agitators that there is no need for the attacks on oil facilities.
Because of the current development, the Coordinator of the Niger Delta Amnesty programme, retired Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh, has left his place of residence, and has been moving around communities in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States respectively, looking for a possible solution to the crisis.
 My fellow Niger-Delta youths, it is time to stop these agitations which have affected the businesses and lives of our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. How long are we going to continue with these agitations? What do we aim to achieve? We are by this action destroying our environment, our rivers, our waters, and homes, our businesses, and our peace. Let us remember that he that seeks war shall have no peace!.
This present administration has called for negotiations, and there is only one possible future for all of us. Nigeria must remain one and in order to achieve this, we need peace and unity.
Bidi Christopher is the Secretary-general, Ijaw Community Association in Abuja