… Continue from Part I
MISS ANIKO BRIGGS (SPEAKER)
Standing on existing protocols, she emphsised more on the disparity between the northern region of Nigeria and the South.
She wondered why the goose that lays the golden egg must be made to eat from the crumbs. The South South/South East region produce the petroleum (oil) while the Northern counterparts enjoy the oil wells. What an abnormally she said.
She went at length to discuss he brought up from the East- Arochukwu to be precise by her grandmother and raised up in his father’s abode – Bayelsa.
Discussing on the balkanization of the SS/SE region, although we partake and agreed on it without knowing the consequence. Briggs lamented that Nigeria has not meant well for the region since long time ago.
She talked on the pogrom that led to the civil war. How the people of the region were massacred by their northern counterpart. She saw trains and lorries carry dead bodies of their beloved ones at the Eastern railways and lorry parks, both in Port Harcourt and Enugu.
The Problem:
“The issue at hand, marginalisation and displacement are thrown at us by those that want to manipulate us, which are infused with injustice”
From point in time the structure has not favoured the SS/SE, hence there must be a restructure. The people that owns resources must decide what to do with their resources and how it will be used. They must have their resources and give some percentage to the center – federal government.
We must make a decisive decision on one thing. “The egg that lays the golden egg must enjoy the egg” she said.
First and foremost we must establish our survival, borders and food must be secured. There must be unity of purpose, enough is enough, she concluded.
“The grassroot should know that the civil society is working with them” Briggs said.
What we want:
– Ownership of the land
– Ownership of resources
On a final note, she emphasized on what to do; look inward she said. Ask yourself when entertaing a stranger (foreigners) that speaks different language, that you do not understand, what are you doing?
PROF. CHINYERE OKUNNA (SPEAKER – FOR PETER OBI)
Good governance and its importance: To me good governance does not have a definite meaning she said, rather it has equity, level playing ground as its elements. Participation, are people carried along in the course of governance? Do people in government carry people along? Why is it difficult for people in governance to carry people along, when governing?
Census building – this is very important, because the people of SS/SE must speak with one voice she said.
Equity – equity is not about equal right according to the speaker, rather giving everybody its due chance and opportunity to be relevant. In essence it is giving everybody its true value or right.
Education – history must be brought back to our schools, for our children to know the truth and history of our people.
On the final note she defined good governance as selfless service, loving those governed more than self. The character of a good governor is equity, selflessness and loving the people.
Hence she advice the participants to “ shine your eyes, watch the ball while it is going and make accountability your watch word” she concluded.
MR OSELOKA OBAZIE (SPEAKER)
He spoke on Regional Integration. “if God in his infinite mercy made me what I am, why must I change it” he said. We must be proud of who we are he emphasised.
Igbo Ingenuity – Igbos are ingenious people. He stressed how during the civil war, the Biafrans were able to survive based on the ingenuity of its people. They were able to produce refined petroleum based on self effort, fabrication of engineering parts for their vehicle and the production of salt from salt water from Uburu lake.
He spoke on the need for true federalism, he went at length to discuss issues concerning marginalization of the region. “The resources that comes in the region must be better harnessed” he said.
We must look inward and dialogue amongst ourselves he reiterated. Every industry has a core value.
Things that do not have foreign exchange value:
– Jallof rice index
– Regional cooperation
We must be introspective, dialogue. The right people must be made to be in the right places, he concluded
QUESTION AND ANSWER
There was questions and answer session where participants where able to throw questions at the speakers. Many questions were asked and answers given.
Amongst the questions included;
1. Why has there been political aggression amongst the resources control, Avengers , MEND etc.?
2. How can political emancipation be achieved without struggle?
3. Why are our People, when they get to power decides to forget their followers, that put them in power?
4. And lot more questions.
Answers were given to the admiration and satisfaction of the participants.
MR ISIGUZO OF ORACLE (SPEAKER)
He emphasized on self effort, we must first have sense of purpose. We must influence governance he emphasized.
Networking – We must network in order to get it right.
Resource Control:
The resource control according to him is what people produce within their local community, harness it and make it work.
He also emphasized on the importance of media. Our people should get involve in media activities be it media management, workforce or other related activities, he stated. Keep the conversation on! And be precise he said.
We must go back to the bases. The region has been developed long ago, we must go back to the bases and develop them. Nobody should pull us down. He conclude.
VOTE OF THANKS:
The vote of thanks was presented by Kaluday Api
He praised the organisers (SESSNET) for a wonderful work done. He also thanked the speakers as well as the participants who made the occasion grand.
The media were not left out as well as the DG and Decorators of the venue (Event Centre).
The occasion came to a grand end around 3:00pm, after a resounding interlude of refreshment and lunch.
