Violence and militancy in Niger delta is fast becoming a franchise. All you have to do is pay homage to the original war lords who have been compensated, get your own weapons and a few boys for photo shoot and your own militancy is born. It is only desperation that will force an innocent young man who has never committed any crime in his life to start claiming to be a militant and start asking for appointment for negotiation. Ultimately many of them want to be given amnesty. I believe the amnesty program was a short term measure supposed to enable the government a breathing space so that a permanent solution can be found. However divide and rule was institutionalized instead of finding a solution. Those who surrendered guns in the initial program received scholarships, monthly salaries and training. Their fellow friends and family who never touched a gun suddenly realized that it looked stupid to be law abiding. Parents whose children never got amnesty largess may even push their wards to join the struggle and get free education and monthly salary. Therefore many young people from the area have been demonstrating and marching the street asking to be included among criminal to be forgiven. Recently however, a few dissenting voices have asked for restructure of the country and some have asked for a separate country. I don't see the federal government of Nigeria expanding the amnesty program and at the same time rehabilitating Boko Haram devils and their victims.In fact crisis is brewing unless something is done immediately. Perhaps change of ownership of oil wells and restructure of Nigeria might save the day. Borrowing money to feed and pay salary may not help Nigeria out of the recession.
Friday, September 2, 2016
"WE ARE ALSO MILITANTS"......NIGER DELTA YOUTHS
Violence and militancy in Niger delta is fast becoming a franchise. All you have to do is pay homage to the original war lords who have been compensated, get your own weapons and a few boys for photo shoot and your own militancy is born. It is only desperation that will force an innocent young man who has never committed any crime in his life to start claiming to be a militant and start asking for appointment for negotiation. Ultimately many of them want to be given amnesty. I believe the amnesty program was a short term measure supposed to enable the government a breathing space so that a permanent solution can be found. However divide and rule was institutionalized instead of finding a solution. Those who surrendered guns in the initial program received scholarships, monthly salaries and training. Their fellow friends and family who never touched a gun suddenly realized that it looked stupid to be law abiding. Parents whose children never got amnesty largess may even push their wards to join the struggle and get free education and monthly salary. Therefore many young people from the area have been demonstrating and marching the street asking to be included among criminal to be forgiven. Recently however, a few dissenting voices have asked for restructure of the country and some have asked for a separate country. I don't see the federal government of Nigeria expanding the amnesty program and at the same time rehabilitating Boko Haram devils and their victims.In fact crisis is brewing unless something is done immediately. Perhaps change of ownership of oil wells and restructure of Nigeria might save the day. Borrowing money to feed and pay salary may not help Nigeria out of the recession.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment