The founder and president of Foundation for Peace and Non-Violence in Nigeria (FPNVN), Onengiya Erekosima, says that Nigeria must get a lot of things right in 2023. In an interview with the press, he noted that the use of dialogue will help solve the crisis of insecurity in Nigeria and that younger Nigerians are starting to realize that they are important in the grand scheme of things. He said that they have a part to play to elect good leaders and they have to do so.
He told pressmen that Nigeria matters in this world to so many other countries, especially other African countries who may looking at Nigerians to set precedents. He believes that the world is diligently anticipating the history that Nigerians will make particularly because of the forthcoming general elections in February 2023. He urged politicians in Nigeria to understand that we all have no other country to call our own but Nigeria. So, it is imperative that we get it right this time.
No fear over Nigeria’s unity and existence as a corporate entity.
When he was asked whether he has any fear over Nigeria’s unity and existence (especially as the level of insecurity rises), he answers in the negative. His reason is that Nigerians do not need any kind of help from outside Africa to do well – as in countries such as Libya, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan. He says that Nigeria has the capability to end the insecurity and killings all over Nigeria and Africa. He stated that the insecurity that Nigeria is experiencing today is worsening for a reason and it is to unite every citizen in demanding for a common goal – peace.
He said for the first time in Nigeria’s 108 years of existence, Nigerians are asking for one common thing, which is peace in the country and, by extension, Africa. He made allusions to when his foundation was solving problems in the Niger Delta region that he told the world that the leaders in the region did not believe in the foundation. He, however, firmly believes that dialogue is the best approach to resolving the insecurity that we face in Nigeria today.
Erekosima comments on a number of other issues.
While the founder acknowledges that he does not like getting involved in politics, he hopes that a difference will be made this time from what he can observe. According to him, this present young generation of Nigerians is beginning to understand that they are important and they have to play their parts in getting good leaders for the country, which will in turn make life more meaningful for the people. Also, he states that among the current crop of presidential candidates, he believes that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labor Party, is that person that can fix Nigeria.
Nonetheless, he said Nigeria will be great again and peaceful for all if the government will let voters and their votes count. On the issue of the Niger Delta, Erekosima does not agree that the Federal Government is the number one enemy of the Niger Delta people. He said the people are the problem for not understanding that they are the ones that need to make their future better. The Niger Delta people are to be responsible for whatever happens in their region as a people.
The government and the world will be sorry if militant wars erupt in the region.
Reacting to the Federal Government’s plan to scrap the Presidential Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta militants, Erekosima said that the government and the world would be sorry if that kind of war comes up again in the region. Since as far back as 2009, the violent activities of the militants in the oil-rich region made the government realize less than 60 percent of the annual budget. In response, the government went after the militants. The more the government tried to fight the militants, the more oil they lose. Erekosima acknowledges that the climax of the whole thing was his ability to reconcile all the warlords that were fighting each other and were making peace impossible. Eventually, the amnesty followed.
Related Link
Presidential Amnesty Programme: Website
