Effective communication strategies will bring lasting peace in the Niger Delta - Prof. Ayedun

By Akpokona Omafuaire

Effective communication strategies will bring lasting peace in the Niger Delta - Prof. Ayedun

Attainment of peace in the Niger Delta region has always been in the front burner of national and international discussions, this is occasioned by the volatile nature of youths who feel marginalized by the exploitation and exploration of oil in the region.

Several strategies have been evolved to bring lasting peace with minimal results with stable peace still eluding, government had adopted heavy militarization of the region, it only escalated to increase militancy and daily confrontation between militants and the military.

What yielded peace was the granting of amnesty to the agitators with a promise to train, reintegrate and develop the region. The situation became jittery recently with the ascendancy of a new government and several restructuring were being carried out. Palpable fears resurrected as allowances of ex-agitators were not being paid until the federal government started payment which has brought some level of peace.

Peace is key to development, conflict usually arises where interest of various groups clash, in finding a solution, the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, ACSPN held a one day communication empowerment programme in Effurun, Delta State which focuses on communication strategies for building better relationships between communities, oil multinationals and government.

In his lecture titled, "Strategies for Building Better Relationships Between Communities And Corporations in Nigeria oil and gas Adventure", Dr. Victor Ayedun, a University Don canvassed the need for communities and corporate organizations to dialogue in order to live in harmony by adopting communications strategies with a view to fostering healthy relationships.

Ayedun blamed corporate organizations operating within the oil producing areas for not having regards for the ecosystems that support the existence of the communities.

Ayedun while speaking further on the theme “Issues in Communication Studies and Practice (SS1) with a Sub-Topic: Communication Strategies for Building Better Relationships Between Communities & Corporations in Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Adventure” identified “hostilities” and “antagonism”  as major
challenges militating against communities and corporate entities.

The University egghead noted that the absence of communication between the communities and corporations resulted in militancy, kidnapping, piracy
and other criminal activities within the oil and gas operating regions.

He enjoined the communities and corporate organizations to adopt a communication strategy of building better relationships within them through dialogue  as well as fulfill their moral obligations and
duties to each other rather than perceiving themselves as aliens.

Ayedun also adviced that the communities and corporate organizations be supportive of each other and to include the stakeholders include and intimate stakeholders in their affairs.

In a swift reaction, the Member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Julius Pondi said that Ogulagha Community has stayed for about twenty years without power failure pointing out that the people in the community started enjoying light after a serious protest which claimed the lives of its people.

Pondi described the lecture as mere “Utopia” that does not exists within the oil producing communities and corporations, said Oil Multinational like Chevron Nigeria Limited is heaven on earth on the one
side and hell on the other side.

Pondi noted that, "Whenever the  communities dialogue with the corporate organizations, they get little but when confrontational force is applied, they get more.”

He berated the oil companies for refusing to adopt the communication strategies needed for the eace and development of their host communities,

He advised  stakeholders and communities to keep hoping and see if the Corporations operating within their domains will live up to their responsibilities as espoused in the training programme.

Special Assistant to Delta State Governor, Mr. Eric Omare, ESQ. on his part blamed the Federal Government for not recognizing and observing the rights of communities as it relates to land ownership.

Omare opined that without the Federal Government regarding the communities, there cannot be any relationships between the communities and corporations operating in their lands.

A furious Chief Godspower Gbenekama, a community leader of Gbaramatu Kingdom wondered why the oil multinationals failed to send their representation in such a discourse that is a sure way to peace. He commended the association for taking the bold step towards bring such a great strategy that will bring lasting peace.
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