The crisis in the Niger Delta region requires more of political solution than military, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said on Tuesday.
Tambuwal made the remark in Sokoto when he hosted participants of Course 25 of the National Defence College, who were on study tour of the state.
“The crisis in the Niger Delta is one that requires more political engagement by all stakeholders.
‘”Rather than use military might, we should lay much emphasis on engaging all parties in a dialogue.
“The militants especially, must seize the initiative to restore peace in the region and ensure socioeconomic stability,” the governor said.
He further said that the ability of the country to rise up to current challenges would ultimately define the true worth of its leadership.
“Every country of the world is facing some form of challenges
“What is important is the ability of the leadership to rally round, discuss and engage all stakeholders to come to a peaceful resolution of such issues,” he said.
Tambuwal commended the Nigerian military and other security services for their efforts in ensuring internal security.
He said the successes recorded in the fight against Boko Haram should inspire them to look for solutions to the challenges of kidnapping and armed robbery bedeviling other parts of the country.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has good intentions for the country, Nigerians should support his efforts and embrace peace at all times.”
On the theme of the tour, which is `Enhancing food security for national development: the role of state governments,’ Tambuwal said Sokoto had embraced modern agriculture.
“In the recent past, we have embraced many cash crops because of the need to diversify.
“In Sokoto today, we are leading producers of crops like millet, rice, sorghum, onions, tomatoes, cowpea and variety of vegetables.
“From next farming season, we are including sesame among crops to be cultivated because of its economic value,” he added.
In his remarks, leader of the team, Prof. Istifanus Zabade, said the participants were made up of Nigerians and their counterparts from other countries.
He stated that they were required to study cultural, social and political environment of chosen localities, to broaden their knowledge base of all sections of the country.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has reiterated his call on the Federal Government to jettison its military option towards addressing the Niger Delta crisis.
The governor, who said the move would not yield the desired positive result, advised the Federal Government to intensify its efforts at developing the region by tackling peculiar needs of the people, especially in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare delivery and education.
Dickson said this during the first memorial lecture held in honour of the late former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, at his hometown, Amassoma, in Southern Ijaw area of the state, a Government House statement said on Tuesday.
Represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd.), the Governor described late Alamieyeseigha as a bridge builder and passionate crusader of Ijaw national interest.
He challenged Ijaw sons and daughters to see his departure as a rallying point to forge a united front to demand for equity and fairness.
He acknowledged some of the achievements of the late former Governor, including the establishment of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, which he noted, had contributed in no small measure towards boosting the growth of education and human capacity development in the state.
Dickson expressed gratitude to all, who attended the event from within and outside the state, the chiefs and people of Amassoma and particularly the Southern Ijaw for its offer to bankroll the Alamieyeseigha memorial activities next year.
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