IYC COMMENDS MEND’S DECLARATION OF CEASE FIRE *** CALLS ON OTHER INSURGENTS TO EMBRACE DIALOGUE

By Francis Sadhere

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide has commended the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) for declaring ceasefire and giving the Federal Government, through the Special Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta Affairs, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, the opportunity to resolve all outstanding issues relating to the Niger Delta agitation.

The IYC stated this in press statement signed by its spokesman and made available to National Reformer.

The group also called on other insurgent groups in Nigeria, including the Boko Haram sect, to borrow a leaf from MEND and embrace the opportunity for dialogue offered by President Jonathan.

According to the group it was glad that MEND appreciated the natural instinct of human nature by supporting its son to succeed.

The group stated; “The IYC and most Niger Deltans strongly believe that President Jonathan being a Niger Deltan appreciates the problems of the region and if given the necessary support would resolve the outstanding issues in the Niger-Delta region. In supporting President Jonathan, the IYC is not oblivious of the fact that there are unresolved issues in the Niger Delta region.”

The group said that its conviction in the ability of President Jonathan to find a lasting solution to the Niger-Delta agitation was strengthen by the fact that he was being advised on the issues of the region by Honourable Kingsley kuku, who according to group, has firsthand knowledge about the problems of the region.

“In supporting President Jonathan, the IYC is not oblivious of the fact that there are unresolved issues in the Niger Delta region. The IYC therefore calls on the federal government to take advantage of the ceasefire declared by MEND to take appropriate steps to constructively resolve the outstanding issues, while the IYC as the foremost youth organisation in the Niger-Delta region would play its part towards the resolution of the outstanding issues in the Niger Delta,” the group stated further.