MEND To Initiate World War 3: From my Archive...

I wrote this article on the 16th of September, 2008 at about 10:17 pm in response to a posting on Nairaland MEND To Initiate World War 3.
Toy may want to read the uncensored article following the link:
THE ORIGINAL POST ON NAIRALAND.
I feel the whole Niger Delta matter needs some sincere opinions. My definition of sincere here is contextual, every individual has a right to his or her own definition of sincerity.

While I would love to also share some views as far as Niger Delta crisis is concerned, I would not make the mistake of reducing my analysis to the activities of MEND.
They seem to be the most vocal (not necessarily most organised) of all the militant groups, it really does not make them reasonable and/or most respected.

I share the pains of our brothers and sisters from that side of the country and I feel it is just fair to jointly condemn the neglect they have suffered over time.
I have personally paid visits to some oil rich states and I must confess; if you are very vigilant, you would see poverty in person. Poverty is everywhere.
Not just poverty of amenities or money but also poverty of ideas. They feel so isolated that every other Nigerian may quickly irritate them on issues affecting their existence.

It is no gainsaying that the neglect suffered by this region has successfully separated it from the rest of the nation, so the question of whether Nigeria should divide may need no further answer, events would speak.
However, the first step to getting matters resolved is to see people from other regions condemning the neglect and ask for sincere attention for oil cities.

This crisis to a very large extent has also contributed to what I call ethnic chauvinism.

Having said this much, I have not, atleast within myself, been able to fathom out the sense in blowing up a place we are complaining is under developed. The multi-dimensional issues attached to this matter all would have various opinions visiting them.

First, on kidnapping, I condemn this act is strong terms and feel such should be discouraged. It is a reflection that the struggle for Niger Delta emancipation as far been commercialised if people kidnap only to release the victim after collecting certain amounts tagged ransom, I call it BRIBE.

I however have reasons to suspect that there is a kind of working understanding with most victims been kidnapped in recent times. The comfort and ease with which this kidnap is carried and the speed at which deals are brokered to facilitate release calls for more than meets the eyes. I feel the white man is also beginning to make faster money outside their blood-oil money.

Second, the free display and use of arms and ammunitions raises a lot of questions as regards security. My concern is centered round the fact that we seem not to be asking where these ammunitions come from, definitely not Nigeria then what the mode of transporting it is. By the time we try to ponder over this, we are not likely to spare some big boys cum politicians in this arms deal! So also are the white men. What happens to all the tankers seized, I am sure they don't spill all.
How many of their own are in school as a result of scholarship funded by these militants? All we see is young jobless men cruising around the streets in state of the art cars, spending money lavishly and building castles. Then the question is, get what you can using what you have:

With the caveat, EVERY OTHER PERSON CAN GO TO HELL!!! The whole third world war threat is a reflection of how shallow the militants' understanding of this crisis is, THERE IS MORE TO WAR BEYOND BLINDLY PRESSING DOWN YOUR TRIGGER KILLING YOUR OWN VERY BROTHERS!!!

Finally is the government recklessness and petty approach to resolving the matter. The govt has made this crisis so lucrative that nobody currently feeding fat on this impasse would like to get is resolved anytime soon.

Imagine the creation of a NIGER/DELTA MINISTRY with the office in Abuja while the crisis is in the war torn areas. So how do we reconcile the mindset of a government who has deployed most of our military might to a place and at the same time enticing them with a ministry?

Stick and carrot approach, I’d say. A government that has built more bridges in Abuja where there are no waters than a completely riverine Niger Delta.

In conclusion, I do not fancy the government approach and there is nothing to hide here, at that however, I also condemn in strong terms the manner with which this militants groups have fashioned to redesign their destiny and that of the people of Niger Delta.

I for one do not see them as freedom fighters; I’d rather see them from the angle of anarchists who have privatised the business of anarchism for their own commercial benefits.

I like to see some sense of purpose in the agitation for a better Niger Delta, a constructive and critical review of ways forward and high display of maturity. Beyond this, let us all add our voices to calling for a BETTER NIGER DELTA.

I would sincerely appreciate your views as well.

(Please pardon my mistakes)

Cheers.