“FG: Violence and Pipeline Destruction Will Not Ensure Development in Niger Delta”

Babatunji wusu –

The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged youths in the Niger Delta to reconsider the negative impact of violent actions and the destruction of critical infrastructure, such as oil pipelines, on regional development. Gift Johnbull, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement South-South, made this call during a one-day interactive session with stakeholders and ex-agitators in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Johnbull emphasized that violent disruptions not only hinder community development but also harm the environment, as oil spills contaminate water sources, devastate farmland, and damage the livelihoods of local residents. She stated, “When we disrupt the peace through violence, we do more than just send a message; we hurt our own communities.”

She acknowledged the historical context of agitation in the region, noting that while the desire to be heard is valid, the consequences of such actions can be detrimental. Johnbull encouraged the youths to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard national assets and to reshape their identity from “ex-agitators” to active contributors to society.

The session aimed to foster a new narrative, with Johnbull calling for unity and resilience among the youths, highlighting their potential to transform struggles into success stories. She reiterated the importance of presenting the Niger Delta as a region rich in untapped potential and worthy of international support.

HRM Bubraye Dakolo, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, praised the initiative but urged the federal government to sustain the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). He emphasized that youth agitation would only cease with improved education and employment opportunities in the Niger Delta.

Victor Agbututie, leader of Concerned Ex-agitators, voiced concerns about the exclusion of approximately 5,000 disarmed ex-agitators from the PAP since 2011. He called for their enrollment in the program, along with the payment of stipends and support for education and empowerment initiatives across various states in the region.