NIGER DELTA MENACE AND THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY
(Written By EGBEOLOWO-RIDWAN OLAITAN)

Before I dabbled into the dynamic or chameleonic conundrum of ours today an attempt would be made on certain ideology/rationale
Nigerian adopted federal system of government
The primary motive behind the adoption of this system is to maintain unity in diversity
Nigerian is an heterogeneous society
There are 774 local government in Nigeria (formal)
The heterogeneity of her society really paved way for federalism to gravitate
Ipso facto(by the fact itself) considering the heterogeneity of our society one can alacritously say federalism is a *prima inter paes* but what is the purpose of being in a compendious laconic lacuna when one is still at the realm of sciamachy. It is very crystal clear that federalism was adopted not for ethnocentrism, mediocrity, prebendalism and egocentrism but to maintain unity in diversity. Recently, the Niger delta crises that has been simmering for years assumed a dangerous dimension. The militia groups blew up some oil flow stations, abducted some foreign workers and disrupted oil business in the area. At this state of affair there seems to be a pestiferous tendency that bother on federalism and ethnical factor that exists among different tribes and ethnic group in Nigeria. Niger delta as a paradigm for oil discoveries and installation which serve as the mainstay of our economy in one way or the other, although; it will be inimical and pugnacious to shy away *quod erat demonstradum* in the Niger delta region by the Nigerian government. The Niger delta has been complaining about environmental damage from oil exploration and rising unemployment and poverty in the region, but the successive governments and the multi-national oil corporations have been insensitive to the plight of the people. Like the saying *historia vitae migista* the people have endured a long history of economic and social injustice. As mentioned earlier, the people of Niger delta have been suffering from environmental degradation and pollution through oil spillage and gas flaring. The
THE MAIN CAUSES OF NIGER DELTA CRISIS
The main causes of Niger delta crisis include
1. GREED AND SELFISHNESS
2. DEPRIVATION AND POVERTY
3. SOCIAL INJUSTICE

The natural resources of a country are the sovereign property of its people. A persons *benefit* equals his or her contribution and no community should be given more when it contributes less or be given less when it contributes more! That is the crux of the matter in the Niger delta crises! The Niger delta is contributing a lot to the economic well being of Nigeria and it is getting nothing, but destruction in return. Without social justice there will be no peace in Niger delta and socio economic development will continue to kiss the region.
The cornucopia modus –operandi employed by the Niger delta avengers which are in phases seriously and violently weighing down the glory and fortune/pride of the Nigerian economy and majorly the Nigerian citizens especially the average man on the streets who now wallows in vituperative ululation, economic quagmire and financial tumult. At this juncture, should I opine that this administration has no blueprint on socio-economic lemmatas, but I would advise mr president as the father of the nation that following his antecedent and pedigree we know him, he can do better, but at this point we will not kowtow in their powwow if justice is not done because injustice everywhere is a threat to justice anywhere. According to research and technology it has been revealed that most terrorism/militancy cases in Nigeria are majorly occasioned by political factor cocooned with a pestiferous tendency. This is so because Nigeria is a state with diverse culture and different ethnic group. Unless we do away with politics of prebendalism, nepotism, mercantilism and ethnicity and imbibed the spirit of meritocracy and stop apotheosizing where a presidential aspirant comes from.
PROBABLE REMEDY/PANACEA TO THE MALADY ON PIAZZA
As noted earlier, the federal government not done anything serious to alleviate the peoples suffering and anger, other than shifting blames.
The solutions are;
1. The federal government as a matter of fact should put appropriate policies in place to grow the economy to reduce the rising unemployment and poverty, environmental degradation and the violence in the Niger delta.
2. The federal government should also ensure that the resources that are allocated for social programs and development in the area are used for the purpose.
3. The federal government as a matter of fact need to stop bribing their *OGAS AT THE TOP* who will now squandered the money at the end of the day. Instead, the federal government should find a lasting solution to the cause of the problem rather than playing political game with their leaders.
4. Finally, implementing true federalism in Nigeria would provide a lasting solution to the Niger delta crises. I think the region should be given the *FREEDOM* to control its resources and pay appropriate taxes to the federal government. How could the region develop if it lacks the freedom to control its destiny?

the AFONJAS crying more than the bereaved