This initiative started in earnest in 2003 with the formation of a non-profit organization called Niger-Delta Peace Initiative, NDPI. This arm was spearheaded by a respected Ijaw peace leader, Chief Nimi Barigha-Amange. He assumed this leadership position before his election as a senator in 2007.
He was able to head this organization because of the combined credential of childhood poverty (in the midst of wealth) and his understanding of the frustrations and the lack of federal presence in the socio-economic plight of the oil producing communities. Thus, he is acquainted with the daily struggles and hardship faced in the sub-region.
Moreover, Sen. Nimi has built a strong family-like rapport with the boys by paying tuition (school) fees of some and helping other establish a lucrative businesses. Hence, these boys within his senatorial district repose great trust in his leadership. Furthermore, the boys often report to him before taking up arms against the government and against all that belongs to the government. He has tried many a time to broker peace between the militant youths who he calls “the boys” and the federal government. However, he met the following challenges:
- Inadequate positive response from the government.
- Occasional belligerence of the Ijaw youths.
- Insufficient money to demobilize the armed youths and reestablished then in worthwhile business.
- Opposition from stakeholder that profit from the violence.
- Frequent military interference/intimidation.
- Poor state of socio-economic infrastructures.
Sen. Amange wrote to the government (the president) in 2003 and 2005 advising and suggesting ways of settling the longlasting strife in the sub-region. However, the government only replied to the 2005 letter, but the response was not backed with requisite actions.
EFFORTS IN NIGER DELTA
Peace Publications:
This year, 2009, Amange Foundation will publish a book titled, “Road to Peace in the Niger Delta”. In the book, the writer outlined what he reasoned is the pathway to the restoration of peace and tranquility in the conflict-ridden sub-region of the country.
Peace Negotiations (Arranging Dialog and Peace Terms Negotiations):
As a person elected to represent the interest of his constituency and the whole Niger Delta and Nigerians at large, he tries to create occasions of dialogue between government and the boys. He believes the boys are human beings that both reasons and can reason.
Hence, in March 2008, he arranged a meeting between the Senate President, Rt. Hon. David Mark and the Tom Ateke, a militant Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV) youth leader based in Port Harcourt , Rivers State. Nevertheless, this move was forestalled when the Rivers State 's government discovered an arm cache in Tom Ateke's village.
Peace Projects (Socio-Economic Welfare Packages):
Amange Foundation understands the correlation between violence and poverty. Consequently, the foundation has developed a revolving micro-credit scheme for youths and women in 2003 which assisted more than 600 youths and women presently. Amange Foundation has also introduced a Rediscover Education (scholarship) Scheme for school quits and youths. This scheme has presently helped an unrecorded number of youths to secure admission and sponsorship into various Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Fair Legislations:
Sen Nimi, the founder of Amange Foundation in 2008, prepared a bill that corrects the imbalance and lack of efficient revenue distribution within the oil-producing states. The bill in a nut shell states that the 13% derivation revenue formula should be shared 60:40 between the immediate oil-producing communities and the state. For more click 13% derivation bill: its sharing formula.
Peace Campaigns:
Amange Foundation strives to promote the use of peaceful means in handling grievances. This is done through rallies, walks, mass media system, etc. It takes these efforts to the grassroot and is propelled by a coalition of Ijaw youths.
SUCCESSES
The following are the successes witnessed by the Niger Delta Peace Initiative:
Peace in Bayelsa East:
Though is a major oil producing, if not the biggest, community in the subregion, its operation has not been hampered by violence. Sen. Nimi Barigha-Amange working to calm the boys even in face of some percieved grievances against them. However, it is noteworthy, that violent Ijaw boys (from other locations) occassionally infiltrate Bayelsa East to disturb the peaceful nature of the sub-region.
Joint Revolutionary Council, JRC/NDPI Pact
Joint Revolutionary Council is an association of Niger Delta militant groups. A deal/pact between Joint Revolutionary Council and the NDPI was established. This deal was established on two-ground conditions after a long hours of negotiations and dialog between the Senator's NDPI and the boys:
- The Joint Revolutionary Council with the associate groups would lay down arms
- The NDPI would demobilize the boys with money to reintegrate themselves into the society.
However NDPI does not have the fund to demobilize the militant groups, hence, the pact did not take effect.
Other Important Info:
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