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Nigeria: N-Delta Summit - NPRCM, Mulade Differ On Gambari's Choice
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Vanguard (Lagos)
16 June 2008
Posted to the web 16 June 2008
Emma Amaize
NIGER-DELTA Riverine Peace Campaign Movement (NDPRCM), yesterday, called on the Federal Government to reverse its choice of the former External Affairs Minister and Under-Secretary for Political Affairs at the United Nations, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari as the chairman of the proposed summit on the Niger-Delta, but, a Niger-Delta youth activist, Mr. Sheriff Mulade says there is nothing wrong with the choice of Gambari.
The NDPRCM stated its opinion in a press statement, signed by its president, Mr. Ebiakpo Tubolayefa, secretary, Mr. Cletus Arerebo and public relations officer, Mr. Toluwa Mulade, made available to Vanguard in Warri while the youth activist spoke in an interview with Vanguard.
"The appointment of Ambassador Gambari as the chairman of the peace summit is indeed unacceptable to the Niger-Deltans.
The Federal Government to immediately replace him. Any candidate to be considered for this position must have charisma and unblemished record in service to our fatherland and the Niger-Delta, must be someone who wields influence amongst the Niger-Delta elders and who can proffer pragmatic solutions acceptable to all the stakeholders in the region and the Presidency", it said "Several names", it continued, "have been submitted by Niger-Deltans as candidates to replace Ambassador Gambari.
We advise the Presidency to consider Admiral Festus Porbeni (rtd.) as a viable candidate for this position.
He understands the terrain and as a naval officer, he rose to the highest echelon in service by virtue of his integrity and probity, was appointed a Minister of Transport and presently, he is the chairman of the Niger-Delta Think Tank Sub-Committee. Since he left service, he has been involved in several peace initiatives to bring about lasting peace in the region", the group asserted.
But Mulade disagreed with the NDPRCM, saying the Federal Government should be commended for its pragmatic approach in finding lasting solution to the Niger Delta situation, particularly the upcoming summit, which is geared towards proffering a permanent solution to the long neglected region.
"I believe if it"s well organized and collectively well represented from the grassroots, it will yield a positive result, without having another dubious intention to identify elites and offer cheap political Greek gift to top politicians, unnecessary pressure group's and leaders.
In my personal view, the appointment of Gambari as chairman is a careful and wise decision. For an executive member of the world -ruling body, the United Nations to be involved and coordinating the summit is a welcome idea "I want to urge Niger Delta leaders to be proactive and think broad on how to seize this opportunity to nationalize and internationalize the struggle.
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Conflict and ethnic sentiments have contributed largely to the underdevelopment of the region and if we must grow collectively to make change, we must get rid of this barrier", he said.
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