Tompolo's Independence Gift for Nigeria

"Larry! Larry!!", my younger brother called. Oh what is it again; i murmured. That was the third time he was distracting me ever since Lucky turned on the TV. My room was having a re-work so i came out to the sitting room to do some work. I remember regretting that decision. Finally, i asked him what the problem was this time. He looked at me apologetically and said "you really need to see this", he was looking at the screen. I stood up from my desk and took the sharp curve that got me behind him. I got pass him towards the screen and what i saw baffled me.

Tompolo, the notorious Niger Delta Militant leader was on TV. Not masked this time and/or raising any of those his Subs, as i have seen him a couple of times on the Papers; he was seated with President Yar'dua and some top dignitaries, including Military Generals and famous politicians in the country. What? "What is happening?", i turned to Lucky who just spreads his hands sideways and told me how surprised he was. Then it struck me: Amnesty. Oh sweet; surrender. Tompolo has decided to surrender! Whao!

What a great birthday gift for Nigerians at 49. What other development would have been a better package? i thought. Tompolo's laying down of arms was a major breakthrough in the struggle for peace in the Niger Delta and by extension a plus in the Security data of Nigerians and foreigners trooping into that area for oil. I was so happy that i forgot i was doing some work. In fact i had to call a friend who was serving in the Niger Delta region to congratulate on the "safety boost". He almost prayed himself out of his deployment when he had was posted to Bayelsa State to serve under the NYSC. Anyway, it was something to call anybody about and share congratulations.

It was a beautiful thing and you can help thinking this simple looking young man, had been a lead-Terror to the country since God-knows-when. He was even treated like a gentleman; he was hosted in the Villa after which he met with a powerful council of Elders of his region based in the capital city and like i heard last morning, Saturday night was declared "Tompolo's Night".

However, lets not be carried away in our excitement. A lot still needs to be done. What FG had with tompolo and others like him, was a deal. Every deal has two sides. I think Tompolo has kept his part of the deal or at least has indicated interest in a mutual deal- just like a thousand others. It will be truly great for Nigeria and her people, if FG will show due diligence and faithfulness. The country will benefit more if we come to understand that the race has just began; and not ended. We may have convinced, forced or lobbied our countrymen in the Niger Delta, into surrendering their arms but only trust can earn us the submission of their minds and patriotism. We can risk that.

That notwithstanding, it wont be out of place to commend this administration for its effort so far-with that can doggedness we can go places. Happy Independence Nigeria.