My attention has been drawn to a story in ThisDay today which suggests I justified BH activities because of uneven distribution of resources and derivation funds to the Niger Delta. I haven't read the story (as I am just on way back from Davos) but would like to issue this clarification to this network:
My attention has been drawn to a story in ThisDay today which suggests I justified BH activities because of uneven distribution of resources and derivation funds to the Niger Delta. I haven't read the story (as I am just on way back from Davos) but would like to issue this clarification to this network:
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1. The story was published by the FT of Friday 27th yesterday and can be read by anyone. It is straightforward and clearly there is some mischief here
2. The interview was done long before these bombings indeed part of it had been used in the FT review of Nigeria late last year
3. I have long held the view that ethnic and religious violence in Nigeria has its roots in poverty and deprivation and perceived marginalization. I always said this about the militancy in the delta while fully condemning it, the truth remains that militants tapped into a groundswell of frustration. In addressing that problem we have gone to an extreme now where the levels of poverty in the north are recreating the same conditions and results we saw in the delta
4. I made more or less the same points in interview with David Frost shown on Al Jazeera yesterday and today and I think to be repeated today and sunday.
I hope this clarifies the position and urge anyone interested to read the FT piece which in my view was harmless enough and reflected the substance of my thoughts on the matter-that poverty and marginalization create conditions of the possibility of radicalization.
SLS
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