Eminent Sons and daughters of the Niger Delta converged at the Atlantic Hall of Presidential Hotels on Tuesday at the first Pan Niger Delta Conference (PNDC) to discuss on the way forward at the proposed National conference by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The conference which has it theme: “The Niger Delta and the National Conference” attracted dignitaries and erudite scholars around the Niger Delta region, such as the academia, professional groups, women leaders, civil society organizations, youths and other international organizations.
Declaring the occasion open, the chairman, Prof. Ebiegberi A Alagoa tasked the conference organizers to do a credible delivery that will reflect the general interest of other nationalities. Prof. Alagoa stated that historic demand such as resource control is very relevant in the present day reality and the strategic interest of the Niger Delta must take into account within Nigerian state. He said the decision that emanate from National Conference canvass by the President must be approved by the National Assembly after submission.
In his presentation, the Co-chairman the Pan Niger Delta Conference (PNDC) Prof. Ben Naanen of the University of Port Harcourt submitted that he believed that Nigeria is not a failed state yet rather the problem of Nigeria is the failed institutions which are not working.
In his welcome address the Executive Director of Social Action one of the organizers, Dr. Isaac Osuoka said one of the problems of Nigeria is how to organize a credible, free and fair election as it has turn out to be election as usual where no fundamental change has been made. Dr. Osuoka said the Niger Delta people bear the cost of oil exploitation even as the revenue is been looted by the Nigerian elite. The Executive Director of Social Action stated that the National Conference calls by President Good Luck Jonathan is one of the only hopes expected by many to redeem the oppressed and the downtrodden in the country.
In their various key note messages, Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, Bar Ledum Mitee, Prof. Kinse Okoko, Prof. Andrew Efemini, Prof. Achinewhu, Ann-Kio Briggs and Dr. M.T. Akobo among others expressed their strong support on the proposed national conference. “Today, we have a federalism that operates in unitarism” Prof. Chituri Achinewhu, former Vice- Chancellor RSUST said.
“If you cannot stop oil spill, stop oil production. If you cannot stop gas flaring, stop gas production said Rev. Nnimmo Bassey”. He stated that whatever resource found on our land belong to the people and we can determine whether to extract it or not.
Bar. Ledum Mitee posited that the representative at the conference should not be based on Geo-political zones rather on ethnic nationality to give equal representation. “The outcome of the conference should be subjected to peoples suffrage referendum” Bar. Mitee stated. He condemned what he calls identity theft where individuals will request something on their selfish gain in the name of their region, while Prof. Kimse Okoko stated that the 1999 constitution should be rejected because is fraudulent in nature .Prof. Okoko maintained that no Governor should nominate any delegate to the conference. Ann-kio Briggs blamed the Nigeria woes on the forceful amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorate by Lord Lugard. She said the aim of the proposed conference is not to break Nigeria but we must discuss on who bring what far the survival of the country. Others submitted that we must first of all reject all the laws that took away our freedom and right to own our resource especially the land use decree among others.
The outcome of the Pan Niger Delta Conference centered on the demand of a fresh, and people oriented constitution where the Niger Delta will manage their natural resources. They also kicked against any plan by the other ethnic groups to scuttle the conference or by government itself like the one called by late Sani Abacha and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Other issues raised are equal states, local government, Senate members and House of Representatives to give true federalism.###
Pius Dukor
