Insecurity: Don't militarise Niger Delta, Dickson warns FG

…says Dialogue remains best option
Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, has reaffirmed that dialogue

remains the best option to the amicable resolution of the security

challenges bedevilling the Niger Delta region.
He therefore called on the Federal Government to engage in dialogue with

the youths, “because military option is not a solution” to the problems in

the Niger Delta.
The Governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,

Daniel Iworiso-Markson, made the observation on Saturday in Warri, Delta

State, during a meeting of Ijaw leaders and elders of thought to

brainstorm on the way forward for the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

The meting was attended by Ijaw leader and First Republic Minister of

Information, Chief Edwin Clark; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley

Otuaro; former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby; and one

time Minister of Aviation, Alabo Tonye Graham Douglas.

Others are former Executive Director (Finance) in Niger Delta Development

Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Aginighan; President of Ijaw National

Congress (INC), Chief Boma Obuoforibo; former chairman, Bayelsa State

Flood Committee, Chief Francis Doukpola; Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom,

King Joseph Timiyan and Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri Kingdom, King Kopul

Orumini.
Dickson who applauded the efforts of Clark and other prominent leaders for

championing the cause of the people, urged them to work together for

peaceful co-existence of the region and the country as a whole.

The governor said he was at the meeting “to lend support to the on-going

discussions for the enthronement of peace, stability and development of

the Niger Delta area.”
According to him, Ijaw leaders and elders have always provided leadership

and support to the various state governments where the Ijaw people are

domiciled towards strengthening the bond of unity and protection of the

collective interests of the Ijaw nation.
Dickson reiterated his administration’s preparedness to continue to

contribute its quota to the wellbeing and development of the Ijaw nation

as leader of the only homogeneous state for the Ijaw people.

He said, “I have always said that there are issues which call for

collaboration that are not to be resolved by war. I have said that there

is no need for war in the Niger Delta; certainly not in Ijawland but

rather we should dialogue.
“A few days ago, most of you must have heard comments that I made to the

right authorities along the same line and I am delighted that our leaders

of the Ijaw nation are thinking along those lines. I am talking about the

need for dialogue, peace and development of our states and ultimately the

country at large.”
Dickson who offered to host the next edition of the meeting in no distant

time, expressed appreciation to all Ijaw leaders for their commitment to

the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
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