Ways to Help Solving the Niger Delta Crisis

The Niger Delta region is at the South Southern Part of Nigeria facing the Atlantic Ocean by the South via the Gulf of Guinea and the Cameroonian cities by the East. The Niger Delta Region is rich in mineral resources like crude oil and natural gas, arable and fertile land for farming and for rearing of animal. The people in this region are of various cultures and languages and industrious as well.

More so, the Niger Delta region is best locations for tourist attractions and investments due to excellent weather and serene environment. It is point blank the region every tourist would like to visit and the treasure base of the Nigerian nation and no wonder international companies thrive in the region.

Development in the Niger Delta

The development in the Niger Delta Region is very discouraging and stunt since the inception of the Democratic dispensation in Nigeria headed by the former president Olusegun Obasanjo. The rate of insecurity and mostly unemployment of from the Niger Delta and the poor leadership in the Nigerian nation led to the coalition of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Niger Delta State (MAND) or rather nation which has been in existence for quite sometimes now. They feel marginalised and are fighting the government of Nigeria with the aim of being emancipated from cruelty practiced by the Nigerian Government. Hence the issue of the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria has for some time now remained untreated and neglected by the Nigerian Government. Meanwhile, there are measures taken to solving the problem of the Niger Delta than granting them amnesty.

1. Change of attitude among the leading class: This key should be the first vital step taken to call the people of the Niger Delta back. It does a lot than granting amnesty because their refusal to stop fighting the Nigerian government is brought about by the poor attitude of the arms of Nigerian government. In our various families we sometimes notice a child being threatening to cry by either the dad or mum due to the wrong the child did, but at the same time  the parents has to console the child and that is change of heart and mind. The government of Nigeria should go to any length ensuring that the 7 – Point Agenda by President Umaru Musa Y’adua is not just advertised on the media but rather implemented before every citizen of the Nigerian Nation and to the Niger Delta Region. If the government of Nigeria did not change their pattern of leadership, then other ways of solving the problems of the Niger Delta remain void. As if it were enough, if the government did not mean yes to good governance and genuine ways of electing the right candidates during elections at all levels then the nation remains blur and boring.
2. Already I have mentioned about the 7-Point Agenda of Mr. President. One major thing about the agenda which should be given urgent attention is Agenda number 6 stressing on providing employment to young graduates and other skilled workers. Youths of the Niger Delta should be employed and especially in the company sited at the Niger Delta region. There is no need hidden the truth that over 60% of the youths in the Niger  Delta are unemployed and thus many are good militants including male and female, young and old while different cultural background is never a barrier.
3. Provision of basic amenities should be paramount in the Niger Delta. It should be so in all the states of the federation as well for better standard of living. Fund released and realised through oil exports should take care of providing for the people the necessary basic facilities required for human being to thrive comfortably. Fund transferred abroad by defunct leaders should be used to build a better Nigeria.
4. I hear Prof. Dora Akuyili (Nigerian Information Minister) say about re-branding Nigeria. Yes, this will work out if only the right formula is applied.  It means change of attitude for every Nigerian whether re-branding or re-orientation.  Every Nigerian citizen should be sensitised starting from the leaders. I bet you the people will start to feel at home and abruptly stop any reprisal attack done to the Nigeria government if the leaders start doing thing right.
5. The Constitution of the country and fundamental rights should be incorporated in the school curriculum so that every Nigerian should know his or her rights for many Nigerians are denied of their rights. The Nigerian Police should bear me witness as how some of their men at the main roads and check-points marginalise average Nigerians by extorting NRN 20 or more from motorists instead of ensuring justice is done.

With all these facts put into consideration and executed, the people of the Niger Delta and the Nigerian citizens at large will have a course to smile. I am appealing to well meaning Nigerians in the Diaspora to keep fighting for the national unity by standing on the truth and not defending fraud citizens and leaders. Nigeria is indeed blessed when the weeds are uprooted to give way for the crops to thrive.