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…Urge FG to initiate process of restructuring Nigeria
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
An umbrella body for Ijaw youths under the auspices of Ijaw Youth Council, Worldwide, has warned that it will not stand and watch the crisis rocking Rivers State to escalate further than the current situation.
Leaders of various youth bodies from different ethnic nationalities in Niger Delta that issued the threat in a communique raised after a one-day peace and security summit urged the politicians responsible for the turbulence in the state to sheath their swords.
The communique announcing their resolutions was jointly signed by IYC National President, Alaye Theophilus, President, Bayelsa Youth Association, Doupere Precious, President Ibom Youth Council, Lord Knight, President Urhobo Youth Leader Council, Emuejevoke Esesiobe, among other headship of national youth groups.
The council also disclosed that only true federalism can transform the country, urging the federal government to initiate a process of restructuring the country as a matter of national importance.
“On the political stability in Rivers State, we urge the politicians causing political turbulence in the state to sheath their swords. This state is critical to both the region and the nation, and we cannot stand idle and watch while it descends into crisis.
“The gas flaring effect fund that is a being collected by the federal government should be directed to the impacted communities rather than going into the federal government purse. We advocate for peace throughout the entire Niger Delta region, not just in Rivers State.
“Peace fosters development, and we are committed to preventing the current crises in Rivers State from escalating into a breakdown of law and order. We call on the governors of the region to unite in combating our common enemies, which are poverty and underdevelopment.
“We urge the governors to leverage their positions to champion peace and security in the region and to ensure that external forces like Herdsmen do not undermine people,” the youths pleaded.
They equally made an appeal, urging the presidency to intervene in the controversial pipeline security. “We request that the federal government swiftly distributes pipeline contracts among different ethnic groups.”
“While we are not opposed to a single company handling the contracts, we believe that involving multiple leaders from different areas will enhance effectiveness and yield better results,” they appealed.
On the restructuring, the Ijaw youths noted: “We believe that only true federalism can transform our nation. Therefore, we call on the federal government to initiate a process of restructuring this country as a matter of national importance.
“The burden of leadership and development is too concentrated in the presidency. True federalism is essential for the prosperity of our nation, and we need it now. Given the significant economic resources in the Niger Delta, we urge the federal government to make positive and impactful investments to transform the region into the economic hub of the country,” they appealed.
