By Ben Ogbemudia
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, says strategic meetings, consultations with stakeholders, and support of the Federal Government combined to establish peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

Akpabio stated this in his remarks at the special stakeholders’ dinner organised by the Harvest Committee of Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, held at the Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Represented at the event by his chief of staff, Sir Etekamba Umoren, Akpabio said, “ In my search for peace, I have traversed the length and breadth of the Niger Delta Region, meeting various stakeholders, in some instances, in the midst of clamour for hostilities, from Bakassi to Okrika, to Ogoni Land, Yenagoa, Warri, Gbaramatu, all in an effort to ensure peace.”

According to the former senate minority leader, “We have also held various stakeholders’ engagements through the office of the Minister of State of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with different host communities, all geared towards ensuring lasting peace in the region.

“The efforts of the ministry, with that of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Presidential Amnesty Programme and those of the youth leaders of the United Ethnic Nationalities Forum, have collectively helped to engender better understanding of issues and government policies resulting in the region being the most peaceful in the country today.”

He added, “I am delighted to stand before this August gathering as I make my remarks on the ongoing discussions by the Methodist Church Nigeria, gearing towards inculcating a culture of peace and unity in Nigeria.”

Speaking further, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State noted that the topic, “Building a Culture of Peace and Unity in our Country” is very apt, considering the challenges of the times and the surreal manifestations of contemporary society.”

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Akpabio congratulated the organisers of the event, saying, “Permit me to congratulate the Methodist Church Nigeria for coming up with this programme. It is reassuring and rightly so, as this dinner provides a veritable platform for all of us to cross-fertilize ideas which will engender peace and unity for our country and the entire world.