The Amanyanabo of Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ateke Tom, has said that his decision to take up arms in the Niger Delta struggle was to draw attention to the plight and marginalisation of the region.
Ateke, a former militant leader, said that the agitation by the militants eventually got the Federal Government’s attention, saying that part of its benefit was the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan from the region as Nigeria’s president.
He said this on thursday when he received members of the ECOWAS Parliament on a courtesy visit to his palace in Okochiri.
Also, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima also commended the monarch, saying, that his efforts in ensuring peace in the Niger Delta are commendable and provide valuable lessons for the broader ECOWAS region.”
