Amassoma Youths in Bayelsa State has expressed consternation that while they are mourning their dead and working to ensure peace returns to the troubled town, some persons, who are respected musicians, are releasing songs with lyrics capable of instigating the youths into more violence, warning such people to desist from such wicked act or face their wrath.
The youths specifically said that as bad as this may sound “our respected musician, Barrister S. Smooth,” has never raised a song, either in solidarity or against the act of oppression suffered by the community, adding: “Hence, we are perplexed as to why tears flowing in Amassoma becomes his inspiration.”
They cautioned that what they want now, as a community is not provocative songs but to mourn the dead in a peaceful atmosphere, provide first-class medical treatment to the injured, settle the root problems in the Niger Delta University (NDU) that gave rise to the crisis and then bury the dead “as our heroes in line with our traditions.”
A statement issued on Friday and signed by Amassoma Youth representative, Ayogoi Yaibimi Simeon, said: “We wish to recall and to remind them that, the Rwandan genocide of 1994 started in this manner.” Simeon added: “Please, let us be guided by this and not allow it to be replicated here.”
According to the statement, “The military has been constantly invading and harassing our Delta Izon brothers for years now, with the aim of fishing out the Avengers, many villages have been sacked, precious lives lost and property worth billions of Naira, including the traditional Golden Scepter of the Gbaramatu Kingdom taken away.”
It noted that the Youths of the Community are deeply pained by the dimension the peaceful protest, which started as a result of the labour crisis in the Niger Delta University has taken, and how it metamorphosed into violence, destruction of properties and loss of lives.
“It is quite unfortunate that, while peaceful means were being worked on to address all the demands of the workers, the protest erupted suddenly to this magnitude. In view of the above, His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, who is also a son of our community, invited all the Chiefs, from the Ebananaowei down to the least Pelenanaowei, opinion leaders, youth groups and other NGO’s in the community.
“Frank and fruitful discussions were held and at the end, all the issues in the dispute have been resolved amicably. The stakeholders and the Chiefs in the community have equally set up a high powered committee to liaise with the bereaved families to bury the dead and proper traditional rites done in accordance with our tradition. At this juncture, what we need as a community is lasting peace and harmonious living.
“The people of Amassoma in general, and the youths, in particular, are resolute and well informed enough to end this crisis with home-made solutions. We wholeheartedly appreciate everyone, who has genuinely identified with our pains and sorrow. We equally appreciate the Governor and the Government of Bayelsa State in their show of commitment towards the peaceful and amicable settlement of all contentious issues.”
The statement enjoined the people to preach peace and only proffer solutions that will bring about lasting peace in the community, adding: “Anyone, who is trying to gain popularity and score political points with this unfortunate incident, should please steer clear of our community.”
“Above all, the ultimate goal is to have peace in the community and have the university re-opened to serious academic activities at the shortest possible time,” the statement noted.
