By Ogunsona Peter (Nigerian Human Rights Community)



Nationalities from the South and Middle Belt will be meeting in large numbers for the first in Lagos on Thursday. The conference is to address the problems of livelihood by working out a national peace building framework.

According to a statement made available to Irohinoodua and signed by the President, Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Development Forum,(SNMBDF) Mr Sidney Imobhio and the South West Regional Coordinator, Mr Adewale Adeoye, the conference will develop the best strategy to address the challenges of environment and food security common in the South and Middle Belt hemispheres.

“There are a lot of challenges facing Nigerians from these identified zones. In building a national economic, cultural and social consensus, the starting point is for the people to begin to talk to themselves, share their challenges and work out a common solution for a more cohesive and peaceful country”, the statement stated. The Guest Speakers are Professor Banji Akintoye, Mr Femi Falana and Mr Ojukwu.
The organisers said the conferences are driven by youth leaders and organisations from about 24 states of the South and Middle Belt backed with several community-based organisations, peasant and artisan groups.

“We look forward with a mix of excitement and delight at the new window of opportunities the conference will open for the peoples to actualize their long thirst for collaboration in various spheres. This is the beginning in the series of consultations necessary for peace and justice in Nigeria”, the organisers stated.

According to a release by the SNMBFD President, Mr. Sidney Imobhio, the conference is non-partisan but motivated by the strategic consideration for establishing solidarity and brotherhood among all ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Thousands of people representing several nationalities and social movements are expected at the conference aimed at forging alliance between the people of Southern Nigeria and their middle belt counterparts. It is the first of such historic inter-geo political gathering in recent memory.

“This is the first conference of younger peoples of the middle belt and their southern counterparts. We share the same history, the same background and common destiny. This conference is to build an everlasting bridge between the indigenous peoples in these ancient territories towards peace, liberty and justice in Nigeria,” the group stated.

According to the organisers the conference took several months of intensive consultations and extensive travels across the country before arriving at the need for the conference which they said would open a new vista of hope and opportunities for the peoples of the South and the North.

The conference will also address issues of democracy, justice, liberty and livelihood of the indigenous peoples.

“There is a long history of relationship between the peoples of the South and the Middle Belt. This is necessary for peaceful relationship generally in Nigeria. The unity of the peoples of Nigeria is crucial to any meaningful democratic reforms in Nigeria.

The group stated “We already have structures in 24 states. We are going to work together. The movement is being driven mostly by younger people. We are going to make history. It’s a new beginning that will end despair and friction between various nationalities in Nigeria.”

Venue: 25, Fajuyi road, Femi Falana chambers.

Time: 9am.
Signed

Sidney Imobhio

National President



Adewale Adeoye

South West Coordinator