Daniel Idonor
5 September 2008
Abuja — The Federal Government yesterday made good its earlier promise to constitute a high powered committee that would replace the abandoned Professor Ibrahim Gambari led Steering Committee for the defunct Niger -Delta Summit, with the setting up of a 40 man committee.
President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has approved the list of nominees to serve on the technical committee to review and distil all previous reports on the Niger Delta, and come up with appropriate recommendations on the way forward for the region.
A former Minister of Finance, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, who was earlier nominated from Abia State to serve in the Gambari Steering Committee may head the reformed and renamed committee.
Vice President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is to inaugurate the committee next Monday, September 8, 2007, at the Vice President's Conference Room.
The 40 man list comprises Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Chief E. C. Adiele, Chief Tony Esu, Hon. Nduese Essien, Mrs. Grace Ekong, Prof. Peter King, Chief Anderson Eseimokumo, Prof. Lawrence Ekpebu Prof. Austin Ikein, Youpele Banigo, Chief Anthony Ani (MON), Ukandi Gabriel Ogar Col. Edor Obi (rtd.), Barr. Nkoyo Toyo, Prof. Omofume Onoge, Prof. B. I. C. Ijeoma Chief Isaac Jemide, Dr. Abel Dafioghor,
Also on the list are Barr. Benard Jamaho, Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu, Senator Stella Omu, Ben Bouegha, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Admiral Peter Ebhalemen Barr. Charles Edosomhan (SAN), Prof. E. M. Umezurike, Dr. Godswill Ihetu, Barr. Cyril Anyanwu,
Others are Dr. Sam Amadi, Hon. D. I. Kekemeke, Chief Olusola Oke, Col. Wole Ohunayo (rtd.), Engr. Tonye Princewill, Magnus Njei Abe, Chibuzor Ugowoha, Mr. Ledum Mitee, Mr. Tony Uranta, Anyakwe Nsirimovu, Chief Timi Alaibe, Atei Beredugo
It would be recalled that June 6, this years, the Federal Government through a statement issues by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr Imma Niboro, the Vice President was quoted as saying "that a committee is to be set up to review all previous reports on the Niger Delta with a view to analyzing and updating their recommendations which will form part of the talks on the crisis in the region".
He also stated that the proposed talks may not be referred to as a "summit." Instead it should be described as a dialogue of stakeholders on finding the way forward
According to the statement, Jonathan assured that the Federal Government is genuinely committed to ensuring a lasting solution to the issues agitating the Niger Delta. These issues when resolved will bring the much expected development to the region and lay a solid foundation for the sustenance of such development even after the tenure of the present administration.
"According to Dr. Jonathan, the issues agitating the region date back to the period before Nigeria 's Independence and cannot be solved overnight. He therefore, implored all stakeholders to collectively work towards the achievement of peace, stability and development of the region".
He asked the people of the region to have faith in the present administration's plans while condemning the present situation which makes it difficult for contractors working on infrastructural projects in the region to access work sites and carry out their tasks.
About a month later, precisely July 10, governors of the Niger Delta states rose from a crucial meeting with Vice President Goodluck Jonathan in his office on a possible replacement for the rejected diplomat Professor Ibrahim Gambari with a resolve to consult with leaders from the area on the matter.
The meeting which took place in the office of the vice president was attended by Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state, Lyel Imoke of Cross River and Theodore Orji of Abia state while other states were represented by the respective Deputy Governors. It is believed that some names may have been presented to the governor by the presidency for them to pick from but the governors viewing the issue as very sensitive may have requested to be given some time to enable them consult with leaders on the replacement and other aspects of proposed summit before a final choice.
The meeting was staged at the instance of the outright rejection of the earlier named chairman of the summit, Professor Ibrahim Gambari by government. However, after the controversy, the internationally respected diplomat formerly resigned in a letter to the vice president where he attributed the opposition to his candidacy to an 'orchestrated campaign' by some people to tarnish his image.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who did not confirmed Gambari's resignation when he briefed state house correspondents after the meeting was not ready to give detailed account of transactions at the meeting but stated that the issue of the chairmanship of the proposed meeting should not be made to overshadow the actual meeting.
Dr Uduaghan, a medical doctor by training, hinted that Gambari's rejection and his subsequent resignation cannot scuttle the proposed summit since the issues are beyond who heads the summit.
"What I know is that all of us in the Niger Delta agree that continuous talking should occur. The issue of the chairman will not scuttle the summit" he said, pointing out that "what we agreed to do at today's meeting is to go back as governors, hold further consultation with elders and leaders and also bring them back to meet with the vice president next week"
Governor Uduaghan said yesterday's meeting was to review the earlier one convened by the Vice President which had in attendance governors, national assembly members youth leaders and elders from the region.
He said the rejection of Gambari by the people of the Niger Delta and other issues that have recently cropped up about the summit would be taken into consideration when a final decision on the matter is to be arrived at.
The meeting was staged at the instance of the government continued defense of the appointment of Gambari as contained in an official statement issued June 12, where the Presidency gave reasons for the appointment of the Under Secretary-General (Political Affairs) of the United Nations (UN), Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, stating that the aim "is to give the summit a global perspective".
The Presidency had therefore appealed to all stakeholders especially leaders of the region to continue to give support to the unfurling process of addressing all vexed issues; even as government make a solemn pledge that at the end of the day, there will be cause to cheer in the Niger Delta region.
The news of Professor Gambari's appointment which filtered into the air few days ago has continued to generate debate and controversy as cross section of stakeholders especially activists from the Niger-Delta region appeared not favorably disposed to the idea.
But in swift reaction, the Presidency argued that the ongoing debate does not hold water; insisting that "This debate may well be unnecessary, as is its variant which suggests that the Summit is itself uncalled for because there have been talks in the past which yielded little or no dividend".
The Presidency in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr Ima Niboro said that "the inclusion of Professor Gambari as Chairman of the Summit Steering Committee fulfils the need to give the Niger Delta issue a global perspective, even while keeping it strictly within the ambit of our internal affairs".
"The choice of Professor Gambari is also guided by his vast experience in international conflict resolution and multi sector dialogue. He is a well respected voice in global affairs, and the fact that he is on the staff of the United Nations is a plus for the summit for obvious reasons".
"The Niger Delta summit has the full backing of the President, Commander-in-Chief, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, and the present administration is fully committed to making the difference in the region once and for all. The Vice President, a prominent son of the Niger Delta, has been entrusted with the delivery of the process. He remains wholly committed to the resolution of the Niger Delta conundrum".
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The name of Kalu and most of the cmte members seem like recycling the same old govt officials from the corrupt administrations of yesteryears whose collective decisions led to the current crisis - more or less putting old wine in new bottles hoping that the old wine will taste great until you sip it. This is yet another subterfuge to gloss over the real issue that in the long run will not benefit the real people but a few elites, as usual. I cannot foresee anything good coming out of this talk shop other than talks that lead to another… [Read Full Text]