…Wants Militants To Embrace Peace

…Appeals To Buhari Not To  Scrap Maritime University

By Francis Sadhere

Former Chairman of Benikrukru Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Jeffery Ojogun has condemned the renewed hostilities in the Niger Delta Region even as he appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari not to scrap the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

Niger Delta militants.

Chief Ojogun who is the Amadiwei of Benikrukru Community in a press release made available to our Correspondent in Warri, Delta State, described attacks on oil facilities in the region as unfortunate.

The Gbaramatu chief also condemned the invasion of Gbaramatu communities by troops of the JTF.

According to him, dialogue should be adopted in resolving the renewed hostilities in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region and commended President Buhari for ordering a two week ceasefire in the troubled region.

Chief Ojogun advised militants causing unrest in Niger Delta Region to take advantage of the two weeks ceasefire ordered by the President and take their grievances to the negotiating table.

While urging all and sundry to create a conductive atmosphere for the new Gbaramatu royal father,  His Royal Majesty, Oboro  Gbaraun 11, Aketekpe, Agadagba, The Pere of  Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Ojogun stated that the people of the Kingdom cannot afford another military invasion again,saying the memories of the May 2009 invasion were still fresh in the minds of the people.

He said; “I am pained by the recent happening in the Niger Delta Region. The people of the region are responsible and peace-loving and this is why I am appealing that those breaching the peace in the region should allow peace to reign.”

Chief Ojogun added that; ”  I am worried about the lives  and property being wasted and the destruction of our communities as a result of the Niger Delta crisis that is doing nobody any good. Peace is the answer”.

According to him also; ” I am a promoter of peace. We in Niger Delta Region are one people; we are one big family. We must not allow our enemies to divide us. We must remain united. Let us not betray one another. This is another trying moment for the people of the region and when we are united, we must surely overcome the current challenges.”

“The people of Gbaramatu Kingdom are not members of the Niger Delta Avengers and the Kingdom is not a haven for the Avengers, we need peace in the Kingdom. We should not be used to tear our  Kingdom into pieces and those working for our enemies to ensure that our people are divided and invaded again should have a rethink”, he posited.

In his words also;” Those attacking our oil installations should end the attacks now and dialogue with the Federal Government. They should allow the oil companies to commence the repairs of the damaged pipelines because the nation is losing so much daily as a result of the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers, we should not allow these attacks to go on. ”

Chief Ojogun while expressing gratitude to President Buhari for the ceasefire he ordered in the Niger Delta Region, implored the President to address the vexed issues in the region, saying only development would bring the required peace.

He specifically appealed to the President not to scrap the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko approved by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him; “The University will attract development to the entire Niger Delta Region and engage restive youths in the region and so it my humble appeal to the President not to do away with the University. This is the only University approved by the last administration for the oil-rich Niger Delta Region out of the eight Universities approved by the government of former President Jonathan. Those approved for non oil producing states are intact and here we are, government is planning to scrap the only one approved for a region as important as the oil-rich Nige