Ateke Tom was a general in the defunct Movement
for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND. In this
interview, the soft spoken ex militant General bares
his mind on his expectations from the incoming All
Progressive congress, APC led government at the
centre. He dismisses fears that hostilities may
resume in the region when President Goodluck
Jonathan finally bows out of office on May 29. He
fielded questions on why he rears lions in his Okrika
residence. Excerpts:
What are your expectations from the President
Elect, General Muhamadu Buhari
I expect him to lead the country on the right path,
provide quality leadership. And I am sure the
President Elect will make positive impact.
I am sure he knows what to do, he knows what the
country expect from him. He should give all
Nigerians opportunity to contribute meaningfully to
his government.
Let me just add that the Niger Delta still needs
serious attention. He should develop the region.
Later, we will tell him some of the things we expect
him to give special attention to.
There are fears that some boys in the Niger Delta
may resume hostilities, militancy at the end of
President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure
No! No! I don’t see militancy coming back again in
the region. Niger Delta will be very peaceful than
what it was under President Jonathan.
Well I want to say that nobody will go back to the
creeks. Anybody who does that has no reason for
that and should be treated as a common criminal.
We don’t have any reason to resume militancy in
the region. So there will be peace.
Speculations are high that the President -elect will
cancel the pipeline surveillance contracts awarded
to individuals and groups recently. You have
something to say on this ?
We got the pipeline security job for our area. And we
are doing the job very well.
My advice to the President elect, General Buhari is
that he should not cancel it when he formerly
assumes office. Those who got the job are taking
care of the pipelines and are doing the job
commendably. If he cancels it I don’t see who else
can do it better. We hail from these places where
the pipelines run through and so are very familiar
with the terrain. He should allow us continue to
render this service to the country.
You are a leader of so many youths in this region.
Any advice to Buhari on now to tackle challenges
facing youths?
My message is simple. He should create jobs for
people. This will reduce crime. Job will keep them
busy. When the youths are engaged their minds are
busy. When they are idle they think of bad things
sometimes. So jobs will help.
What kind of Rivers state do you see under the
incoming government of Barr Nyesom Wike?
First, there will be jubilation all over the state when
the Governor elect, Barr Wike assumes office as
governor of the state. You know Rivers people have
been clamoring for change. We need change and
we want it dearly in our state. We saw how
President Goodluck Jonathan is cooperating with
those who say they want change at the top. But
here in Rivers state they are doing as if they don’t
want to vacate the seat for the man who won the
election. We want the change in the state so they
should cooperate.
Rivers people will come out to dance that May 29 ,
to celebrate the change in baton.
I see a new Rivers state where everybody will be
happy. You know we have been in hell in the last
eight years. Judiciary shut down, House of
Assembly not functioning. A lot of police cells over
stretched because no court to try cases. We have
been in hell since. So I see a new Rivers state
where everybody will be happy.
There have been cases of violence all over. What
are you expecting ?
I see a state that will be very peaceful. People will
not believe the story of peace that will be coming
out of the state. Though they recorded minor
violence in some parts of the state during the last
election but you know the violence was below the
expectations of many outside the state. People had
thought that the state will burn so they were
surprised that we recorded peaceful elections in
most parts of the state.
In Okrika nobody threw a stone during the elections.
We had very peaceful elections here in Okrika.
Remember many people had listed it as a likely
flash point during the elections. But finally no
violence was recorded.
The thing is that some people in power fail to
recognize that some persons can contribute
positively to their government. They ignore these
persons. This is why you see some things I call,
nonsense in some areas. Engage the right people,
everybody has a role to play to build a healthy state
and nation.
As one of those in the Wike government I will make
sure the youths see the beauty of peace. If you fail
to embrace peace we will see that you are handed
over to government for necessary action. Because
we cannot compromise the peace of our dear state.
Is there anything the outgoing government did that
you will advise the incoming one to avoid in the
state?
The outgoing government was unfair in several
ways to the people. People were bundled into jails,
dumped in Police cells. I am sure the incoming
government will not do all these. It will be a friendly
government.
You command a very large follower-ship of youths.
A large number of them are always around you. The
old also identify with you in your community. How
are you able to sustain the loyalty of this army of
youths?
Leadership is ordained by God almighty. And when
he makes you a leader he gives you wisdom to lead
the people. In Okrika I take care of most people in
this community. Parents come to me for assistance
to pay school fees for their children, hospital bills.
The list is endless. I am often there for people when
they come to me for assistance. This is why when
you come to my house you see crowd of people
waiting to see me. It is the same thing when I am in
Lagos. I don’t mind your tribe when I render
assistance.
My loyalists are increasing everyday from all parts
of the country. In Lagos, my house is like a big
church. You see people coming and going because
of the milk of human kindness in me.
What advice do you have for the rich
I know there are those who are richer than me. I
advise them to be there for the poor. There are so
many challenges of poverty in our country so they
should be there for them. I also had rough period
while growing up so I know what it means to be
poor. That is why I always assist needy ones who
come around me.
I pay fees , I run a scholarship scheme for many
indigent students. I fund wedding ceremonies for
many. I assist many to complete their buildings. So
many things I can’t recall.
I see animals of all kinds, including lions in your
compound. Tell us a little about your love for
animals. Particularly why you keep lions .
Meanwhile, accept my condolence over the death of
one of the lions today.
He laughs. This lion story is good. I like animals. If
you walk round my compound you see several
animals except snake because I fear snake a lot. I
was in Dubai for a wedding there I saw a man
playing with a lion and I told myself I will keep
some in my compound. I finally got two from South
Africa. I built a special place for them in my
compound. One just died today.
Does your wife go close to them
General laughter. Even me, I don’t go close to them.
We have a way we feed them.

Ateke?? Never heard of that....

Owk ooh

g

Jklue007:
Ateke?? Never heard of that....

dude ar u from Jupiter abi mars

Jklue007:
Ateke?? Never heard of that....

Ateke are you sure of what your saying?