If it took 15 years for the govt to realize that non-violent agitation is preferable to the current violent approach, then the latter (violent agitation) must be working – the only language the corrupt exploiters of our land and people (MNEs and federal govt) could understand is violence. Even in America, it took the likes of Malcolm X and the Black Panthers for the whites to appreciate Martin Luther-King’s non-violent approach even though he lost his life in the process similar to how Saro-Wiwa lost his. Had it not been for MEND and other activists, the current carrot approach been proposed would not be in play. In fact, the MEND has proven to be more responsible than the govt and its JTF when MEND listened to the appeal of its elders by unilaterally declaring a ceasefire 2 weeks ago on the condition that the JTF quit their region and for the govt to make public its “Masterplan” for the region so the stakeholders in the region can read, comprehend, discuss, debate and vote on a viable plan of action thereby owning the plan so as to see to its success. To show how irresponsible the other side are, the govt and it agents of destruction use the peaceful occasion to turned up the heat by raiding and killing at will the defenseless civilians dubbing them as “violent activists” thinking that MEND’s responsible ceasefire declaration was a signal of weakness, desperation and capitulation. As our elders are famous for saying that "a child that chose to keep his mother awake all night with his unending cries, that child too will never get any sleep." It’s a game of attrition to which we shall see who has more to lose, we don’t have much anyway, so, go figure. What this authors from the Crisis Group failed to understand is the underlying cause of the ND agitation – the crisis will never be resolved by your recommendation advising the MNE and govt to provide the locals with meaningless “jobs or money” like some benefactor giving handouts. How can we be beggars on our own land full of wealth being used to develop Abuja and other northern areas while we live in penury. Given years of blatant exploitations, marginalization, and cosmetic policies like the currently proposed Niger Delta Ministry, the activists no longer trust both the MNEs nor the federal govt to resolve the crisis. The only solution is for the National Assembly to legislate and express clause(s) within the country’s constitution languages of true federalism to all states of the federation with each state keeping 50% share of proceeds from resources derived locally and for each state to use their share as they see fit without been dictated to. SIMPLE – how difficult could that be. This approach will enable each state to compete with each other in a positive way to develop and produce materials and products that gives each of them a comparative advantage towards sustainable development of their respective state. As a result, all 36 states will be able to grow at its own pace without the hindrance of one state dumbing down the others. Nigeria as a whole will grow too using the balance of the 50% accrued to the federal coffers to carry out its 7-point agenda for the MDG (vision 20/20) in a peaceful and prosperous environment. The current approach of Lording it over the people, stealing their wealth while dictating to them on how to be obedient citizens in their current but sadly perpetual "state of nature" is not working and will never work. Alhaji Yar knows this but chose to ignore it at his own peril, so as to prove that he is in charge and strong – what a fantasy!

I THINK THAT THE FEDERAL GOVT SHOULD WORK TOGETHER WITH THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY RATHER THAN NEGOTIATING WITH THE COMMUNITY GROUP.AFTER ALL THE COMMUNITIES ARE REPRESENTED IN THE STATE HOUSE.NEGOTIATING WITH THE COMMUNITIES WILL ENCOURAGE DEMAND OF BRIBES FROM THE OIL COMPANIES.Mazianyaogu writes from USA