The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has decried the division going the people of the Niger Delta region, particularly the leaders.
The monarch stated this at his palace when he received the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col Milland Dikio (retd.), in Warri.
He urged leaders in the region to de-emphasize their personal interests and work together to tackle the various challenges facing the Niger Delta.
He said, “Our heads have been held down for too long. We have always been capable of greatness, but the divisions among us have not allowed us attain the greatness we desire.
“The desired destination can only be reached with the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the region.
“All the things that sustained our ancestors are still here and still valid. From palm, cocoa, fish and so on. All we need to do is to use the resources to grow our economy and make life better for our people”
Atuwase charged Dikio to use his office to unite people of the region, saying, “Once the Niger Delta gets it right, it will be easier for Nigeria to also get it right.”
The monarch said the region was blessed with many economic opportunities capable of changing its economy beyond oil and gas, insisting that only collective action backed by sincerity of purpose would bring lasting peace and sustainable development to the region.
He pledged the support of his kingdom to the PAP, especially Dikio’s vision of shared prosperity for ex-agitators using his Train, Employ and Mentor scheme, adding, “In any way we can help to echo that message, we will do so. We are here to support and encourage you.”
Earlier, Dikio pointed out many opportunities in the Niger Delta but insisted that harnessing them would depend on peace.
He explained that the importance of Warri and the historical facts about the city and the kingdom compelled the PAP to host a summit that would showcase the economic potential of the region.
“We have chosen the path of economic prosperity and we feel that there was no better place to start than the great city of Warri,” Dikio stated.
Copyright PUNCH.
