YENAGOA – Reuben Okoya, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Special Duties in Bayelsa State, is canvassing a new approach towards addressing issues of underdevelopment and injustice in the Niger Delta.
Okoya, a known philanthropist in the area, said that the time had come for fresh perspectives to be adopted in resolving the problems causing youth restiveness in the region.
He stated this in an interview with journalists during the 2019 Isaac Boro Day anniversary and wreath-laying ceremony for the late icon of Ijaw struggle at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.
He urged the Ijaw people, especially the youths, to acquire more education in order to deepen the struggle for fairness and equity.
Okoya, a strong contender for PDP governorship ticket, stated that through intellectualism and proper communication the Ijaw people could get other people to understand their sufferings and underdevelopment.
Commending Boro for his sacrifice for the Ijaw nation, he noted that people had at some point resorted to armed struggle, but it was more important and more effective to fight with the brain using the tool of communication.
Okoya said, “Nowadays, sometimes, you may have armed struggle, but it is more important and more effective that we fight with our brains intellectually to make sure that we educate outsiders on what we need with reasons and rationale.
“I think a new approach is now in order… support Izon people to educate themselves in fighting this battle in different ways, intellectually with their brains.”
The PDP stalwart said that Nigeria’s wellbeing depended on the crude oil produced by the Niger Delta but the people were not getting as much as they ought to, noting there was need to convince other ethnic groups that they should get more through dialogue, education and being their brother’s keeper.
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