Meeting osinbajo niger delta leaders withdraw ultimatum nigerian govt

Here's a summary of the meeting between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Niger Delta leaders, which led to the withdrawal of the ultimatum by the Niger Delta leaders:

Background

In October 2020, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PNDF), a coalition of Niger Delta leaders, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government to address their demands, including the need for greater autonomy, economic development, and environmental remediation in the region. The ultimatum was set to expire on October 31, 2020.

Meeting between Osinbajo and Niger Delta leaders

On October 29, 2020, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with a delegation of Niger Delta leaders, including the PNDF chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, and other prominent leaders from the region. The meeting was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

During the meeting, the Niger Delta leaders presented their demands to the Vice President, including the need for greater autonomy, economic development, and environmental remediation in the region. Osinbajo listened to their concerns and assured them that the government was committed to addressing their issues.

Withdrawal of ultimatum

After the meeting, the PNDF chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, announced that the ultimatum had been withdrawn, citing the government's willingness to engage with the Niger Delta leaders and address their concerns. Essien stated that the meeting with Osinbajo was productive and that the government had shown a willingness to work with the region to address its challenges.

Government's commitments

The Nigerian government committed to several key initiatives during the meeting, including:

  1. The establishment of a Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board, which would oversee the development of the region.
  2. The provision of additional funding for the NDDC to support its development projects.
  3. The implementation of a comprehensive environmental remediation program to address the environmental degradation in the region.
  4. The establishment of a Niger Delta Development Fund, which would provide financial support to the region.

Aftermath

The withdrawal of the ultimatum was seen as a significant development, as it prevented a potential crisis in the Niger Delta region. The meeting between Osinbajo and the Niger Delta leaders was seen as a positive step towards addressing the region's challenges and promoting peace and stability in the region.