Comments on: Yar’Adua grants militants unconditional amnesty…frees Henry Okah

By: Nnaemeka Chukwu

Nnaemeka Chukwu — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:53:35 +0000

The president has in his wisdom freed Henry Okah and extended the olive branch to others of his ilk.Having said this,if i was the president of this great nation,i would go on with the ‘war’ against this criminals as by their activities,they have deprived themselves of their hitherto inalienable rights.

By: Alexander

Alexander — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:49:39 +0000

The gvt has done well by the amnesty offer,the govt should also sincerely address the main issues affecting the oil producing communities of the country before the expiration of the 60 days, so as to make the people trust the goverment, after all no body is happy to be a militant.

By: kennedy

kennedy — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:14:25 +0000

Bravo to the ‘militants’! But how many militants do we truly have in Nigeria or Niger Delta in Particular,if not some crop of disgruntled elements empowered by ambitious politicians for their selfish interest.Now that they have been granted amnesty can sombody then tell me who will compensate for all the innocent blood of Nigerians,even children ,that they have wasted their lives and future in the name of Militancy?Can somebody please tell me who will compensate all those ripped off milions of naira as ramsome for being kidnapped?I had thought that the millions they made, from the Odili’s of Nigeria politics ,and from their bunckering activities ,was enough compensation.

Sincerely , if what these criminals have enjoyed for masqurading as militants is really what it means then in my next life ,if there is that opportunity,i will come back as a ‘Militant’!

By: Nelson

Nelson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:44:10 +0000

Thanks to Yaradua for the amnesty. What of the names of the top nuts in the deal. They will still sponsor others if they are not brought to book.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:36:26 +0000

I know that creek. its close to my villa .

By: emeka mandeyndeed r y

emeka mandeyndeed r y — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:23:21 +0000

If Yar’adua indeed did release Henry Okah,then the miltants should be willing to make some concessions to the FG.It is infantile for someone to sit in the cozy comfort of his office and say the real militants should die in the struggle.Truth is we’ve come to the point where the rest of the country view militancy as it is presently as plain criminal.We’ve come to that watershed point,and the militants and their unseen leaders should evaluate and take this or terribly beg for it later.

By: Pere

Pere — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:09:45 +0000

Yara Adua & PDP, bogus Amnesty program. what next? what would u do to develop ND? When do u intend to address the core issues such as restructuring the political landscape of ND LGAs, fair elections, fiscal federalism, massive scholarship to ND indigenes to study in EU/USA. Expand PH International Airport 400% to open up the region, Another Cargo Airport at Ahoada, Marine transp – Interstate modern Ferryboats service, deregulate ND media – govt owned newspapers like Tide, well trained indigene dominated 50-60% ND natives Police Force, disband MOPOL and JTF. Rebuild all communities razed or destroyed by security forces in ND. Pay out monetary compensation and render apologies. Allow international NGO to access refugees situation in ND and offer credibel assistance. Stop all ND allocations for security votes.

By: Patrick Agbobu

Patrick Agbobu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:07:22 +0000

MR. PRESIDENT WE DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THAT WIDFALL TAX IS NOT POSSIBLE.
MR PRESIDENT WINDFALL TAX IS AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED PRACTICE, TO CORRECT INJUSTICE AND CLAW BACK CHEAP GIVE AWAYS BY GOVERNMENT. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT UNDER THE LABOUR PARTY, USED WINDFALL TAX, TO RECOUP AND CLAW BACK THE HUGE GAINS AND PROFITS SOME COMPANIES MADE DURING THE PRIVITIZATIONS OF THE BRITISH COMPANIES BY THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. THE MONEY REALISED WAS ALL USED TO CRATE NOW JOBS AND TRAIN THE UNEMPLOYED. THIS WAS VERY POPULAR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IT WILL BE VERY POPULAR IN NIGERIA. MOST OF THE COMPANIES WHO MADE THESE HUGE PROFITS IN THE NIGER DELTA, ARE BRITISH AND AMERICAN COMPANIES AND AS SUCH THEY WILL NOT FAULT IT. IT IS A GENERAL SAYING THAT THE POLLUTER ALWAYS CLEARS ITS MESS AND PAYS THE PRICE OF ITS POLLUTION,

By: danny UK

danny UK — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:00:37 +0000

Mr. hacklord i like your comments regarding this issue. The thieves who are spoiling the image of the real militants are the ones who will accept the amnesty. The have stolen and made so much money from kidnapping and piracy so the will want to accept this amnesty to enable them enjoy their booty. The freedom fighters will never sell their birth right for a pot of porridge.

By: Ezedei Emeka

Ezedei Emeka — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:50:05 +0000

Well as I posted early this morning concerning Niger Delta crisis I still insist that any Government, whether present or future government which will be able to stop the ND crisis and not to control it will be celebrated and regarded as the best Nigeria President. Mr. president, keep it up. You just started where Obasanjo stopped (what he is scared of) and who knows you may succeed. But that is not the true fact because Militants must exist no matter how you fought against it. Is a mark of TRUE DEMOCRACY. These guys are for people who cannot fight for their right. SO let justice be done.

By: Mambo (UK)

Mambo (UK) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:48:54 +0000

The President has unclenched his fist, will the militants recieve? Time will tell and posterity will stand us all on trial as to who make or break Nigeria. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By: HackLord

HackLord — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:46:26 +0000

Felix B Poronen you have spoken well. However we all know that a leopard does not change its skin. The Northerners are greedy and they have used the military over the years to perpetuate their agenda and brutalize any dissent to submission. Nigeria must return to true federalism if we want peace. The government should give peace a chance by implementing true federalism.
Oil reserves are to last for about 40 yrs or there about. The Northern agenda is to cling unto power by any means for that period until they have sucked the Niger Delta dry like leeches.
A hen that protects her offspring from the vicious hawk is better than the man who cannot fight for justice.
It is only a criminal that will accept this amnesty. Anyone who accepts this amnesty is part of the criminals who have been terrorizing the innocent. The real freedom fighters will be known in a few days.

By: Patrick Agbobu

Patrick Agbobu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:36:06 +0000

There should be no more slogans, meetings, talks and committees. There should be and must be positive actions.
The problem in the Niger Delta was caused by the followings,
1. The International Multi National companies in the Niger Delta. These companies operate as cow boys, recklessly, with dis regard to the environment, the waters, the lands of the Niger Delta. They polluted the waters, waters and the environment as a result, the people can not farm on their land or fish in their waters, which is their main occupations. The people are dieing dailly of diseases caused by the polution to the environment by the multinational companies. These multi nationals build cheap infrastrutures like pipe lines etc., with disregards to internationally accepted norms and good practices. There will never do such things in other parts of the world they are operating, otherwise they will pay very dearly for such horrible practices. The multi Nationals have made a lot of money from these sharp practices, at the expence of the lives of the people of the Niger Delta.
2. The next offender are federal and state governments of all shades, both past and present, who have made lot of money by ignoring and encouraging the multi National companies to get away with murder. Most of them are in the council of state, The President now want to get advice from. They are now being asked by the President to mark their papers or be the judge and jury in their own case.
3. The third group are the so called selfish leaders or do i say dealears of the Niger Delta, who have also made a lot of money from the sufferings of the people of niger Delta, they claim they are leading. These same persons are some of the those who sponsor the criminals to forment and cause a lot of sufferings to the people of the Niger Delta.
4. The President must without futher delay, publish the names of those, who have been sponsoring these criminals in the Niger Delta. The President must name and shame them.
We then can talk of amnesty, truth and reconcilliation. Why talk of amnesty when we do not know these people who sponsor these criminals. If The President names and shame them, then grants amnesty, the criminals will now openly come out.
The federal government should introduce a wind fall tax on the huge profits the mnltinationals made over the period and use ALL the money for the developement of the Niger Delta and the ecconomic empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta. ALL the money realised from the excess crude, which was got any way, from the Niger Delta, should be used for the ecconomic development and empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta. The federal government should draw down now, 30% of its external revenue for the ecconomic developement of the Niger Delta and ecconomic empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta. The ferderal government should not give the usual excuse, that this draw down will affect the value of the naira, as this is a price that, we should pay for the peace and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria. ALL THESE MUST BE DONE NOW!! Mr. President do all these and you have solved the problem permanently. If you do ALL of these history and prosterity will remember you very kindly.

By: Patrick Agbobu

Patrick Agbobu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:32:44 +0000

MR PRESIDENT YES YOU HAVE GRANTED AMNESTY. YES AMNESTY FOR GENIUNE AGITATORS, WE REGARD AS HEROS AND PATROITS.
THERE SHOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR CRIMINALS, THEIR BACKERS AND COLLABORATORS. YOU OWE NIGERIANS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD A PRIME DUTY, TO NAME AND SHAME THESE CRIMINALS, AS THESE CRIMINALS ARE GIVING, A VERY BAD NAME TO OUR GENUINE AGITATORS, WHO HAVE ALWAYS DEMANDED THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE NIGER DELTA LIVE HAPPY, HEALTHY LIVES AND THAT THEIR CUDE OIL SHOULD BE A BLESSING AND NOT A CURSE. MOST OF THESE HEROS AND PATRIOTS HAVE MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE WITH THEIR LIVES.
YOU MUST NAME AND SHAME THESE CRIMINALS, THEIR BACKERS AND COLLABORATORS, SO THAT OUR MILITARY PERSONS, WHO WERE SLAUGHTERED IN COOLD BLOOD BY THESE CRIMINALS DID NOT DIE IN VAIN. YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THAT YOU AS THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, SENT THESE GALLANT MILITARY PERSONS TO THE NIGER DELTA TO MENTAIN LAW, ORDER, PEACE AND SECURITY. THESE BRAVE MILITARY PERSONS WERE ONLY OBEYING LAWFUL ORDERS FROM YOU AS THEIR PRESIDENT. PLEASE DO NO LET THEM DIE IN VAIN. NIGERIA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD ARE WAITING FOR YOU TO NAME AND SHAME, THESE BACKERS AND COLLABORATORS, AS THEY ARE THE REAL ENEMIES OF NIGERIA AND THE NIGER DELTA. YOU SHOULD NAME AND SHAME THEM, BECAUSE THEIR OWN AND ONLY INTEREST, IS TO MAKE BLOOD MONEY AT THE EXPENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NIGER DELTA AND NIGERIA, THIS ISSUE CAN NOT COME TO A CONCLUSION UNTIL AND NOT UNTIL YOU NAME AND SHAME THESE ENEMIES OF NIGERIA. UNTL YOU NAME THEM THIS ISSUE WILL NOT GO AWAY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEMAND THAT YOU NAME AND SHAME THEM.

By: Felix B Poronen

Felix B Poronen — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:19:07 +0000

Since oil exploration began in the Niger Delta Region in 1956 there was no native hostility against the oil companies and the government until the level of poverty due to environmental degredation became unbearable which prompted the Ogoni peaceful awareness campaigns but unfortunately, the Ogoni peaceful awareness campaigns led by MOSOP and its charismatic spokeman and leader, Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa were brutally repressed destroying 36 towns and villages and killing more 3,000 Ogonis including the Ogoni 9 who were executed and the Ogoni 4 who were deliberately used as baits and put in harms way to pin down Ken Saro-Wiwa.
So, to declare an amnesty without addressing the resource control issue which resulted into this militancy is not going to do the trick. When Nigeria became independent in 1960 the distribution of national revenue was based on 50% derivation to the resource producing area but greedy and criminal politicians from other parts of Nigeria feel that 50% is too much for the Niger Delta region and that is why the people are asking for 100% control and this is where I stand.
If you are really patriotic and want Nigeria to succeed as a nation, this is my proposed solution. The Niger Delta Region will take control of their oil, invite oil companies of their choice to exploit it and pay tax to the government. They do not have land but are blessed with oil in these swampy lands.
The rest of Nigeria that have vast arable land and are unable to produce enough food for the nation should in turn invite industrial farmers from the USA and other developed agricultural nations to come to their lands and flood the whole African continent with surplus food and pay tax to the government and Nigeria will not only be great in Africa but in the whole world. Infact, revenue from agriculture will even surpass that from oil and gas in the future.
The president should use his authority to effect this constitutional change before any true freedom fighter will accept any amnesty, otherwise, the situation will deteriorate in the future and the amnesty will be revoked and the people concerned arrested, tried and hurriedly executed like the precedent set with Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni eight.
Therefore, without resource control, the amnesty cannot work on a long term basis. Sooner or later, the pendulum will swing back.
FB Prononen
Chicago, USA

By: Nelson I

Nelson I — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:07:58 +0000

Vanguard, Vanguard what is the meaning on this:

Below is the full test of Amnesty Proclamation:

Do you mean “TEXT” ?

Please proof read before posting. Millions of people read Vanguard online.

By: Patrick Agbobu

Patrick Agbobu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:03:48 +0000

MR PRESIDENT OCTOBER 1 2009 IS A LONG TIME, WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW, TO SHOW GOOD FAITH AND TRANSPARENT SINCERERITY IS,
The federal government should introduce a wind fall tax, on the huge profits the mnlti nationals made over the period and use ALL the money for the developement of the Niger Delta and the ecconomic empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta.
ALL the money realised from the excess crude, which was got any way, from the Niger Delta, should be used for the ecconomic development and empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta.
The federal government should draw down now, 30% of its external revenue and use ALL the money, for the ecconomic developement of the Niger Delta and ecconomic empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta.
The ferderal government should not give the usual excuse, that this draw down, will affect the value of the naira, as this is a price that, we should pay for the peace and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
ALL THESE MUST BE DONE NOW!! Mr. President do all these and you have solved the problem permanently. If you do ALL of these history and prosterity will remember you very kindly.
ANY SHORT OF THESE WILL BE REGARDED AS JUST TALK, JUST POSTURING, JUST WORDS, JUST PLAYING FOR TIME AND JUST UNNESSESARY DIVERSION.

By: HackLord

HackLord — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:02:03 +0000

Who does he think he is deceiving if not himself. Why i like this amnesty is because it will draw the line between the real militants and the criminals. The criminals who have fed fat from theircriminal activities will of course grab the amnesty with both hands and then go home to eat their proceeds from crime.
The real militants however will never surrender! Now we will know who the real freedom fighters are to enable us give them our 100% support to fight the injustice in the polity.
They who fight for justice will not surrender when justice has not been served. They will prepare to die because die we must someday either as heros or fools. Die we must someday either as slaves or freemen. Die we must someday either as poormen or richmen. Die we must and only a coward will be scared in the face of oppression and injustice because die he must someday!