Bayelsa State, created fifteen years ago is a state to watch with delight among the comity of states in Nigeria. With a population of less than two million people, about the size of the republic of Botswana in the Central African Republic, Bayelsa has made its mark in the history of Nigeria.
Whether you accept it or not, the history of Nigeria cannot be discussed without reference to Bayelsa State, a homogenous Ijaw state, and the fourth largest ethnic group in the Nigerian geo-ethno-political configuration.
Late President Musa Yar’Adua must have his reasons when he described Bayelsa State as “historic and strategic” to the development of Nigeria, during his one – day visit to the state on July 20, 2009.
While commending Governor Timipre Sylva for the strategic steps so far taken in refocusing Bayelsa State for positive change, President Yar’Adua paid glowing tribute to Late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, who was named after an expansive recreational park built by Governor Sylva, and commissioned by Mr. President.
Of course, Mr. President had his reasons to describe the glory of all lands in that perspective.
First, Bayelsa is endowed with natural resources, particularly oil and gas, where oil was first discovered in commercial quantities in 1956 at Oloibiri, Nigeria. Second, there is no gainsaying the fact that oil and gas, which constitutes 90 percent of the Nigeria revenue earner, in which Bayelsa alone, contributes well over 40 percent.
Ironically, the state is one of the most backward, rural, lack of basic infrastructure, and grappling with the problem of environmental degradation, as a result of the cumulative neglect, with accusing fingers being pointed directly at the successive administrations of the central government of Nigeria and multinational oil companies.
Fourth, and quite sadly, Ijaw (Izon) which means truth loving people, and a people that quest for nothing but the truth were confronted with the problem of fratricidal communal conflict, claiming many lives and property over activities of oil exploration.
Communities have been displaced from their ancestral homes. While hostage-taking which was alien to this part of the world reared its ugly head and assumed monstrous dimension, forming part of the protest against the power that be like any other parts of typical Niger Delta States.
The central theme that runs through the entire gamut of the conflicts in the area revolves around the issue of neglect, marginalization, deprivation, poverty or non empowerment and under development, and the lack of political will to address these challenges.
Little wonder, Bayelsa state represents the cynosure and epicentre of agitations for a fair deal in the lingering Niger Delta Crisis.
Interestingly, the Ijaw ethnic group was the first in the history of Nigeria to organize a separatist movement to protest against the inequities of Nigerian politics led by the legendary Late Major Isaac Adaka Boro.
The State is also blessed with men and women of integrity who have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavor, and have contributed immensely not only to Bayelsa State, but to the entire nation and the international scene generally.
Few examples are late Earnest Ikoli, a foremost nationlist, Journalist and first African Editor of the Daily times, professor Turner T. Isoun, a distinguished scholar and Nigeria’s Former Minister of Science and Technology, Retired General Andrew Azazi, Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, later Chief of Defence Staff and currently the National Security Advisor, and Dr. Gabriel Okara, a foremost African writer, and poet of international repute – to name a few.
The movement for the creation of Bayelsa State, which was fired by the vision of Late Isaac Boro was started by illustrious sons like Hon. Francis G. Endeley, Dr. Amba Ambaowei, Senator Amatari Zuofa, Chief N.A Frank Opigo, Late Chief Melford Okilo, Professor T.T Isoun, Professor Kimse Okoko and Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha amongst others.
The present governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva was also an active member of the great movement agitating for the creation of the state when he was a member of the House of Assembly in the former Rivers State.
The vision of the movement was clear: to have an homogenous Ijaw state, which can be used as a major plank to address the long years of neglect and underdevelopment of the state.
It was not surprising therefore for Chief Timipre Sylva’s divine elevation to become the governor of the state, which many people attributes to God’s reward for the role he played over the state creation. Against this background, his vision to build a unified, secure, and prosperous Bayelsa State was made very clear right from the very beginning when the mantle of leadership fell on him.
On assumption of duty as governor of the state on May 29, 2009, the first challenge governor Sylva faced was the issue of security.
Apart from the spate of kidnappings and hostage-taking that heralded his administration; one could recall the threat issued by some militants on the eve of his swearing-in to stop the swearing-in ceremony.
To tackle the growing state of insecurity in the state, Chief Sylva came up with a novel, and well articulated and scientific principle known as the “Triple E” approach.
The first is to Engage the militants in dialogue and re-orient them. The second is to Empower the people, educate and employ them, and of course the third is to Enforce the law where necessary.
One could recall that one of the first assignments as governor of the state was securing the release of some Italians who were held hostage. He personally took the risk to go to the high sea to secure their release, a feat many Niger Delta governors could not have dared at all, basically in the interest of national security, peace and economic progress..
He also personally traversed the creeks, talking to the militants at great risk. This culminated in the signing of a peace pact with the militants, in a ceremony with major stakeholders in attendance at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa.
Excerpt from:
Bayelsa State: the path to greatness