Urhobo Historical Society

PRESS RELEASE

MILITANT NIGER DELTA YOUTHS AND HOSTAGE TAKING

Hostage taking by Niger Delta youths is a new phenomenon which needs to be approached with understanding of the issues being highlighted so as not to endanger the lives of the hostages and those who could fall victims in the future. We condemn the act of hostage taking by Niger Delta youths as we believe that there is a political solution to the problems of the Niger Delta.

However, so that the citizens of the world can gain an insight into the issues leading to this unholy on- going situation in the Niger Delta, we wish to discuss some of the problems being faced by the people of the Niger Delta.

We, the women of the Niger Delta condemn unconditionally the act of hostage taking by our sons who have become militant in our joint pursuit for Justice and Peace in the region. We share the pain of the hostages, their families and their Governments as we all wait for the safe release of the hostages.

That Nigeria is the 8^th largest oil producer of the world is due to the oil richness of the Niger Delta region of the country. Unfortunately, although the region is so rich both in crude oil and Natural Liquid gas, the region is the poorest in the country. Even by Nigeria�s standard, the people of the Niger Delta are the most deprived, impoverished and neglected.

The environmental destruction of our land which flows from 46 years of oil exploration has condemned us to a life of degradation and starvation. Fishes have died and our agricultural land has been rendered infertile. The people wallow in hardship and great sense of insecurity.

For Peace to reign, the international community MUST persuade the Nigerian Government to act justly, ensuring that the GOOSE that is laying the golden egg is not exterminated to protect the interest of the oil consuming world and the personal interest of some of those in political power. Revenue flowing from the oil wealth of the Niger Delta should be deployed to meet the needs of the people of the Niger Delta, the region that is laying the golden egg.

Unemployed youths a significant section of whom are graduates, are being forced to watch their natural wealth being plundered while they wallow in poverty and a perpetual state of Hopelessness and frustration.

The world should hold the Nigerian government accountable for the chaos that is now going on in the Niger Delta. We are Peace loving people who are always happy to welcome foreign nationals to our Land.

Please join Women Of Africa to call for JUSTICE, PEACE and SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NIGER DELTA.

Contact: Tel: 020 7252 4597 (09703 937 705), Fax: 020 7252 7727 Email: woni@woni.org.uk

Alice Ukoko (Chief Executive Officer)

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