Gambari’s Delta Gamble

Let me begin by confessing my surprise that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed Professor Ibrahim Gambari to chair the proposed Niger Delta Summit.  The President, a scientist, showed no appreciation of politics. 

And then—surprise—Gambari accepted the appointment.  Gambari, a political scientist, showed no understanding of history.

This is the irony of the Niger Delta situation.  Last Thursday, in a response to criticism, the President said he could not conceive of abandoning the idea of a Niger Delta summit because a lot of thought and effort has been invested in its conception and planning.

That is just contradictory. 

Where is the evidence of true preparation if—of 140 million people—the government found Gambari the most qualified person to chair the summit? 

Little wonder the alarm bells started clanging right away.  Sani Abacha headed a brutal government that murdered and cheated and looted, and Tomi Ikimi was his Foreign Minister. But Gambari was the international face and mouth of the regime. As Nigeria became of concern to the international community and grew increasingly isolated, it was Gambari who sat in New York as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative and casually defended the regime. 

Gambari considers himself a clever man, so finding clever ways of explaining the actions of a widely despised regime to diplomats and the press was no problem for him.  Nothing else Gambari ever does will define him as much as his work during that era; while he can pronounce on any subject on earth and anywhere on earth, when it involves Nigerians, his credibility will always be an issue. 

Also of issue: his ego and his motives.  Remember, he never said ‘No’ to Sani Abacha.  He came across as a man who, allied with power, will serve power against the people.  They have a name for such people. 

And here we are, just one decade later, and power beckons on him again, this time to the scene of the crime: the Niger Delta.  Finding himself again on the side of power, Gambari again fails to find the strength of character to say ‘No.’

The problem for him here is that the victim is only stabbed, not dead.  The victim was not Ken Saro-Wiwa and his friends whose lives were taken by the blood-thirsty cabal of which Gambari was an important fixture; it is the people to whom the Niger Delta Summit is supposed to bring justice. 

Obviously, Gambari’s motives have nothing to do with justice or the interest of the people of the Niger Delta.  If they were, he would have said to the president: “I am sorry, sir, but not this assignment.  The people have no reason to trust me, and so my appointment can only agitate the process”.

Instead, he grabbed the opportunity.  He even expressed surprise that people were criticizing his appointment.  This shows that his interest is in the power and influence of the appointment, not the potential for peace and justice.

Last week in New York, he told the News Agency of Nigeria he plans “deep and wide’’ consultations with all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to douse misconceptions about his personality. 

Misconceptions?  In 2008?  This demonstrates that Gambari still does not understand.  If his intentions were honest, he would have sought to make his peace with the people of the Niger Delta in the past 10 years.  Having taken them for granted for so long, he has suddenly discovered there are misconceptions about him?  That is like Obasanjo waiting till he is 100 to address accusations about his two terms as elected president. 

If Gambari’s commitment were to the people of the Niger Delta and the need for solutions, he would never have accepted the appointment, knowing from the beginning that he is now a part of the problem in a way that no other Nigerian is, or can be. 

But he is not talking about the wrongs he may have done, not of atonement or restitution.  He is talking about misconceptions. 

In order words, he has done no wrong; he has only been misunderstood.  Fortunately, he is clever enough to explain the misconceptions to people in whose veins the same blood does not flow. 

I think the people of the Niger Delta will give Gambari the opportunity to tell his story, as long as it is not within the context of his chairmanship of the summit.  That would make this critical juncture in our national life just another game. 

Nigeria is full of greedy, power-hungry people who think only of themselves and play games with the lives of others.  That is how we got where we are in the Niger Delta in the first place.  If we are truly to move forward, people like Gambari would do well to pay a little attention to history. 

Abacha didn’t, but it might also have helped if they remembered, in the first place, that the same heart beats in the chest of other men. 

Osayande Osunde, RIP

I am stunned to learn of the death of my friend, Osayande Osunde, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of TQA Communications.  If you never met him, you missed somebody really special. 

I met him in 1986 when I was the editor of THISWEEK magazine in Lagos.  He was one of those employees that immediately distinguish themselves through their commitment and enthusiasm.  He never saw problems, only challenges and opportunities. 

When I began City Tempo, I knew he was someone I needed with me, and he came along to run the Circulation Department.  City Tempo did not last long, but he distinguished himself so much that every edition sold out in a couple of hours.  And he was chased around the city by distributors from distant states begging for copies. 

But none of this really distinguished my friend.  What separated him from others were his perpetually cheery personality and his willingness to help others. 

It is a shock to see him go so young.  But it was a successful sojourn, and he was a total success.  Somewhere, he is warming new homes and hearts with his big smile; sewing hope where there is doubt; offering his hand where there is a need.

 Goodnight, my friend. 

·        sonala.olumhense@gmail.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 Gambari’s Delta Gamble Let me begin by confessing my surprise...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 06.07.2008 00:05

Agidimolaja  Villager

# 2 In a civilized democratic society,an aspiring President must be an ardent student of history. In Nigeria,it is not so. Despite the fact that our President can boast of being the first President with a University degree,yet he is not an ardent student of history. How can the President not remember the roles played by Agboola Gambari in recent years during the murderous era of Sanni Abacha? What then made our President to think that a person with such bad records is the most qualified among his over 140 million subjects to lead peace mission in Niger Delta? Sir,you are already failing woefully as President unless you don't know. Did I hear some people say Obj was a failure? Wait! The greatest failure is yet to come. Posted by Agidimolaja| 06.07.2008 02:12

princedelta  JJC

# 3 As much as we may be aggrieved by the past misdemeanor of some personalities, especially on the Niger Delta problems, there is need to forge ahead by alowing the Summit to go on with man recommended by the government. He cannot control our anger and contribution at the confab. We may recognise the international reputation of Prof. Gambari globally at the United Nations and his peace efforts all over the world. I personally have nothing against anybody chairing the Summit unless we believe he would gag us from having a say Posted by princedelta| 06.07.2008 05:06

akuluouno  Villager

# 4 Prince of Delta, I totally disagree with you. Personalities heading sessions matter if the commission is to make any headway. Read SO's copious submissions again and you will see that both UMYA and IG woefully failed ab initio and that there were no deep thinking over the ND imbrogolio. Ask Hitler to head a commission for the salvation of Jews and tell me how far such a body will go:twisted::twisted: Posted by akuluouno| 06.07.2008 05:31

PAPIG  Villager

# 5 Gambari chairing the Niger Delta peace summit has a close analogy in Mr Umaru Yar'Adua asking his friend and financier, Chief James Onanefe Ibori to Chair the EFCC. The Niger Delta people would say 'e get as e be'. Posted by PAPIG| 06.07.2008 06:32

Abraxas  Villager

# 6 =PAPIG;4295066175>Gambari chairing the Niger Delta peace summit has a close analogy in Mr Umaru Yar'Adua asking his friend and financier, Chief James Onanefe Ibori to Chair the EFCC. The Niger Delta people would say 'e get as e be'. Hi, folks! Asking Ambassador (selective amnesia-prone, absent-minded Professor) Ibrahim Gambari to chair the Niger Delta Summit is analogous to President Umaru Yar'Adua asking a notorious Izon ashewo to preside over a divorce proceeding at the Zanfara Sharia Court of Appeal. The good people of Zamfara would say "Kai, dan iska! Menini wanna! Sai gwobe." Muchas gracias. His Eminence, Sheikh Saddiq D'Fuqkk of Sakkwato Khalifate, Darfur & Dubai Emirates. a.k.a. Don Juan-Carlos ABRAXAS (III) Posted by Abraxas| 06.07.2008 06:54

Oguguo Yakere  Villager

# 7 I thought a "servant leader" would readily listen to the "voix populi". Instead, one is hearing a stubborn voice reminiscient of "do or die". This time it is "Gambari or no summit at all". Lest we forget, UMYA is a product of the PDP oppressive, killer, theiving cabal. The leopard never changes its spots. As we lay our bed so shall we lie on it. Posted by Oguguo Yakere| 06.07.2008 08:22

datuouwadaberechi  Villager

# 8 it really doesnt make sense in a country of 140 milliion people that UMYA didnt think deeply or far enough that he had to choose just that one man who has a bad record on the issue to chair the summit. it doesnt make sense that the same man accepted the appointment it doesnt make sense that, having accepted the appointment, even if in error, he didnt resign the appointment once he (IG) saw the well-deserved agitations against his appointment, but goes around talking of "addressing misconceptions" (imagine the insensitivity). it doesnt make sense that UMYA even has to set up another summit after all the summits and talks and conferences and retreats and so on on the subject of niger delta. i should think that we know what the problems are....they are not new, they have been talked about. we also know how much allowances, hotel bills and other kinds of waste that will accompany this summit. why doesnt UMYA simply have a summit with julius berger (or any reputable construction company, indeginous preferably), and the army currently deployed and get a hold of some of the previous reports, and move into action??? the report will give an idea of works to be carried out, the army will be there to protect the workers, while the money will be released....60 days of excess crude sales to start with and thereafter, all that is required to put up roads, schools, hospitals, power, water, clean up the air, and so on. UMYA is wasting more time talking..... action is required. this is one time the legislature can make a mark...by enacting the required legislation to enable th release of the funds! which kin leader be this oh??? Posted by datuouwadaberechi| 06.07.2008 09:31

philipikita  Villager

# 9 Is this Gambari man truly a UN class diplomat with respect and honor? With the torrents of public condemnation, any genuine UN diplomat worth his/her onions would have long stood down, declined, excused himself...keep his/her respect intact. Ah! Na by force? Posted by philipikita| 06.07.2008 10:13

Bode Eluyera  In Purgatory

# 10 =Agidimolaja;4295066110>In a civilized democratic society,an aspiring President must be an ardent student of history. In Nigeria,it is not so. Despite the fact that our President can boast of being the first President with a University degree,yet he is not an ardent student of history.How can the President not remember the roles played by Agboola Gambari in recent years during the murderous era of Sanni Abacha? What then made our President to think that a person with such bad records is the most qualified among his over 140 million subjects to lead peace mission in Niger Delta? Sir,you are already failing woefully as President unless you don't know. Did I hear some people say Obj was a failure? Wait! The greatest failure is yet to come. QUOTA SYSTEM DON BUTTER THEIR BREAD My brother, U don speak well. But, I just want to remind you that Yaradua and Gambari are all products of ALMIGHTY QUOTA SYSTEM which has produced an army of HALF-BAKED northern graduates. If not for quota system people like yaradua and gambari are supposed to be cattle rearers or MEGIDA somewhere in Eko. Fortunately, quota system has buttered their bread. If not that Gambari has always served the north all his life, he would NEVER have held all those diplomatic and united nation's posts in the first place. But what really disgustes me is this Fulani man bearing a Yoruba name and claiming to hail from the north. He should pack his bags and go to Sokoto. He belongs there. I HAVE SAID IT MANY TIMES OVER AND OVER THAT "THERE IS NO NORTHERNER THAT HAS THE BRAINS TO RULE NIG'GERIA 'SUCCESSFULLY'"WE JUST NEED TO GET RID OF THESE PEOPLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! _________________________ _________________________ =akuluouno;4295066153>Prince of Delta, I totally disagree with you. Personalities heading sessions matter if the commission is to make any headway. Read SO's copious submissions again and you will see that both UMYA and IG woefully failed ab initio and that there were no deep thinking over the ND imbrogolio. Ask Hitler to head a commission for the salvation of Jews and tell me how far such a body will go:twisted::twisted: You are wasting your time with that guy. I doubt it if he is really from the Niger delta as he wants us to believe. First, he is a JJC. Secondly, from Abuja. Third, his STUPID and IRRATIONAL post. The TELLTALE SIGNS are just everywhere. You only have to be attentive and read between the lines. He could even be that Gambari, that the whole of the south has rejected completely, but bent on forcing himself on us. Posted by Bode Eluyera| 06.07.2008 10:29

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