Pastor Bassey James, a criminologist, security expert, and clergy,   is the National President of Southern Youths Development Forum. In this interview, he speaks among others on why Niger-Deltans should support President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to address the problems of the region and how Governor Udom Emmanuel is turning Akwa Ibom State to an investor destination in the country.
On how to resolve Niger-Delta problems

The issue of Niger Delta is one issue that President Muhammadu Buhari is tackling and I want to thank him for taking into consideration the views of the people here by inviting the leaders of the Niger Delta for a talk and I think that is a plus. We must also give him full corporation and pray for him to succeed because the success of the Niger Delta is also a plus for Nigeria and Nigerians and even the President. I also want to urge our people to give him that opportunity to handle the issue of Niger Delta the way he wants to handle it, I believe at the end of the day everybody will be satisfied.

Bassey James

On whether the political leadership of the region is doing enough to boost President Buhari’s efforts to resolve the Niger-Delta issues

Every Niger Delta person wants to see peace. Nobody will have a house and wants to see his house on fire, that is why we are saying there must be peace. The leaders of Niger Delta are doing everything possible to bring peace.   It is a good thing that this dialogue has started. We believe this dialogue will produce something great and wonderful for Nigerians.

Also from the point of view of a pastor, we are preaching to people, we are praying daily to see how we can live together because the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable.

On comments that militancy in the Niger Delta is a result of the failure of the political leaders especially governors to engage the youths.

Everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion, but I can tell you that the problems of the Niger Delta started a long time ago and I think every government tried to build a united nation called Nigeria. Our leaders are doing well. They are trying their best, I don’t work in government, I don’t know the workings of government.   Before oil there were other resources, so we must go back to the drawing board and talk about the development of our people and how we can live together.

Once we achieve unity, we have achieved everything. It is not just about the government alone, everybody must put his hands on the deck to ensure that there is development. Unfortunately, everything in Nigeria is tied to government and  politics.

In the last few days, the President inaugurated the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and it is headed by one of the great sons of the region, Obong Nsima Ekere. On the day of the inauguration, there was jubilation across the Niger Delta states.     I believe the present board of the NDDC will perform wonders, especially because the Managing Director is a man that is   at home with every Niger Delta person.

We are looking for possible ways of partnering with the NDDC to create employment for our people. We have kick-started that and we have spoken with so many companies abroad on ICT capacity building.

On Akwa Ibom State

If you come to Akwa Ibom State today you will see that there are more non-indigenes even in government house and I challenge everybody in government to do the same. I want to challenge all those who have political powers to drop the issue of religion and ethnicity and begin to talk about one Nigeria. There is so much tension around the issues of ethnicity and we must move towards new crop of leaders who will talk less about where they come from and talk about Nigeria.  While the President is doing something to bring unity, everybody should also contribute to the development of our country.

On Governor   Udom Emmanuel’s administration

I want to thank the former governor for some of the things he did.

This government is in a hurry to bring peace and deal with the issue of infrastructure and sustain free and compulsory education. I want to say that we have never had it so good. We are thanking God for what he has done in the   last few years in Akwa Ibom State.