We should be expecting a migration surge in different parts of the world by the time the looming war in Nigeria erupts. Indeed it behoves all that matter in international politics, policing and policy formulations to direct their attention to Nigeria considering her contributions to the global economy and her role in the affairs of the continent Africa.
Some may say they have no business in the affairs of Nigeria, especially because of her credibility crisis as bothers on corruption. But the issue at stake is beyond sentiments, race and distance. Many a time, issues that bother a people in other part of the world, have suffered indifference, complacency, and lips-service. Yet their repercussions have often risen to a climax that attracts global concerns, comments and even involvement. And in each case, the approach is that of medication after death, or worst still call for truce or dialogue at the middle of a crisis.
The attention required by the emerging situation in Nigeria has gone beyond a stitch in time saving nine. This is rather a case of desperate situation demanding resolute solution. As it stands now, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) has issued about two months ultimatum to all Niger Delta People in Abuja and in the Northern parts of Nigeria to return home. They’ve equally advised all Northerners to leave major cities in the Niger-Delta region.
Following the antecedents of this group, every threat has always been matched with action. However, we’re governed by a few who are adamant and insensitive to the plights of the underprivileged Nigerian majority; and that why they can say to MEND, to hell with your threat. After all, they have the might to match their hunches. Well, we must not forget in hurry the many lives that were sent to their untimely graves, during the last onslaught. The person who came up with the old wise saying…when two elephants fight, the ground/grass suffers wouldn’t have been wrong. But what s/he has failed to tell us is what the ground/grass should have down before the fight. And that perhaps, is to prevent fight from happening; again that is possible and atmosphere of care and concern.
In fact, countless souls have paid worthless prize on the Nigerian soil for too long a time. Yet, the maiming goes on covertly and overtly unabated; even as the gladiators enjoyed the freak while its fun lasted. And it doesn’t matter to them because they control the operations from secluded corners. Even at that, they are never close to their followers (the governed). So even this reports of deaths, vandalism, environmental pollution and the likes of “distracting” stories gets to them on paper. And on paper, tentative solutions are proffered. Firsthand information, direct assessment or fact-finding and interaction with the displeased or affected people don’t count. What matters to them is that the people remain docile and gullible; in so far their own enjoyments are not hampered.
Well, the fact remains that the drums of war does not sound its warnings twice. The people (MEND) have sounded their warning; and many Nigerians know the true situation there, but they’re rendered Armstrong in every case, because of the character of government. We have an insensitive and insincere government that in Yoruba parlance, ‘talks from the two sides of the mouth.’
The government in the past one month ordered a Joint military Task Force (JTF) to go all out for the militants, an action many critics described as an act of war against a part of Nigeria. President Yar’Adua was of course, given the hard knocks of condemnation and abuses for authorizing such genocide. And until now, no one seems to show remorse or regret for the action, except the victims who are mourning the untimely death of their harmless and helpless loved ones. Unfortunately, what inspired such action is yet to be told.
Meanwhile, the President has said that the JTF was ordered to go after the militants and not the harmless people, but at the end many innocent souls were lost, many others displaced. And now, government is talking about resettling the displaced people; whilst the militant are unyielding to their threats of vandalizing oil facilities and to make the Niger Delta cricks uncomfortable for the beneficiaries.
As the onslaught lasted, Chevron was the first to fall victim, followed by SHELL, and now AGIP. And at a point the can of warm opened and therein, sponsors of the militants were fingered, and the government as usual made the noises as to how the perpetrators will be brought book. But what that will happen after all the hullabaloos, only history can tell.
Let’s face the fact; the government described what is going on in the Niger-Delta as an act of criminality, no doubt about that. And in fairness to both sides, criminal acts have been making waves not only in that region, but in some other regions in Nigeria. Again, they are genuine agitators as well as miscreants and buccaneers fighting for their pockets. Yet, how would government describe what she is doing in that region by way of development and the empowerment of the people? Is it the politics of dichotomy (divide and rule) or the bunkering by some powerful people and government agents that will bring peace and development the people of that region? Perhaps, it is the approach of dialoguing with selected friends of government from the Niger-Delta at the utter neglect of the truly affected people that could solve the problem.
This note is intended to draw the attention of global leaders to re-echoing war drums being sounded by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta (MEND) in that part of the world called Nigeria. It is true that, when war breakout, some people make loses, while others make gains. Conceivably, that could be the reason while this looming danger/war may not be adverted.
However, the after-effects should be given a deep thought especially in the face of a global financial crisis where everyone is expected to gather resources to salvage the situation, rather than compounding an already bad global circumstance.
It is also worthy of attention because of its effects in the global oil market, and also the immigration threats it poses to many innocent nations. The peace the world needs are in our very hands and hearts. All that is needed is to tell your friends, neighbors, colleagues and fellow politicians the truth, and then, calling them to order, when they’re putting wrong foot on a journey that has a magnificent repercussion on the lives innocent people.
In the next couple of days, President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, will be reeling out the purport amnesty conditions to the militants willing to lay down their arms. And many Nigeria’s are saying that is not the solution; for the solutions are all with the government, from reports to recommendation and communiqués of several reconciliation meetings, dialogues, panel enquiries and investigations, to the conspicuous facts and figures of events in the Niger-Delta. Many Nigerians have been telling the government the truth, but it seldom sink; and that is why international intervention is necessary at this point.
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