Unite for Devt, Monarch Charges N’Delta Leaders

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwase III, has urged leaders in the Niger Delta region to reduce whatever their differences or personal interests might be in favour of the higher and nobler task of working together to tackle the numerous developmental challenges confronting the region today.

According to the Itsekiri monarch, only through collective action and sincerity of purpose could the desired enduring peace and sustainable development of the region and its people become a reality.

The first-class royal father made the remarks while receiving the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Warri.

He expressed worry over certain divisive tendencies among the leaders and people, stressing that the envisaged goal for the region could only be reached with a common sense of positive purpose by the stakeholders.

Ogiame Atuwase III said: “Our heads have been held down for too long; but we have always been capable of greatness. The divisions among us have not allowed us attain the greatness we desire.”

He said that the region was blessed with many economic opportunities capable of changing the fortunes of the region’s economy beyond oil and gas. All the things that sustained our ancestors are still here, still valid. From the 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,” he said.

He charged Dikio to use his office to unite people of the region, adding that “once the Niger Delta gets it right, it would be easier for Nigeria to also get it right” because of the strategic place of the region to the Nigerian economy.

Nevertheless, the Itsekiri King pledged the support of his kingdom to the PAP, saying that he identified with Dikio’s vision of shared prosperity for ex-agitators using his Train, Employ and Mentor scheme.

“In any way we can help to echo that message we will do so. We are here to support and encourage you”, the Olu of Warri said.

Earlier, Dikio identified out many opportunities in the Niger Delta but harnessing them depended on peace.

He explained that the importance of Warri and the historical facts about the city and the kingdom compelled PAP to host a summit that would showcase the economic potential of the region.

Dikio, who congratulated the monarch on his coronation, said: “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.”