FEHN moves to broker peace through training on ethnic harmony

The conference hall of Limeridge Hotel in Lekki area of Lagos was on the 8th of September, 2017 filled to the brim by what can be described as strange bed fellows drawn from different ethnic tribes in the country.

In the large open hall, leaders of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Arewa Youths and ex-agitators of the Niger Delta militants were carefully seated in groups in different corners of the hall talking in low tones.

They were waiting for the opening session of the 5-day training organised by Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN) for OPC, IPOB, Arewa Members on Ethic Harmony.

Expectedly, the atmosphere was very charged such that any pessimist could start to predict possible fracas within the different ethnic groups following the recent calls made in certain parts of the country few months ago.

But the truth was that initiator of the training and Chairman of FEHN, Barrister Allen Onyema, had control of the situation right from the beginning.

Due to the strong fate the US Embassy had in the training programme, they sent the Economic and Political Officer, US Consulate in Lagos, Ms Maria Davydenko to observe the meeting of warring warlords under the same roof.

With the arrival of US rep, Chairman of FEHN, Allen Onyema and some US trained conflict resolution specialists, including Charles Alhpin Snr, Dr. Bernard Lafayette of Emory University, Atlanta, USA and other important dignitaries, the atmosphere became relaxed.

Despite fears, Onyema who is deeply rooted in peace making across the country had adequately prepared for the training of the youths.

First, he had sent out information to the Presidency and even the Director of Security Services – announcing the big meeting.

Smartly, the FEHN Chairman also divided the training programme into five sections, comprising of Day 1 to Day 5. Day one was the inauguration of the training; Day 2 was for familiarisation parley; Day 3 was for all participants to meet up their targets.

The major target was that each participant was expected to make two friends across other tribes.

For an example, a Hausa youth was expected to make one Igbo friend and a Yoruba friend. Making the friendship was not the only deal. Such friends are expected to be introduced to the organisers; they are also expected to co-habit in one room. Umn!

Day 4 was the main day: it was the day all participants were expected to write very rigorous examination which is supposed to be passed by all the 45 Nigerian youths aspiring to travel to the United States of America for further training.

According to Onyema, the certificates issued in the training would be one of the visa requirements at the USA Embassy for visa procurement.

Although the exams were not very difficult, but Onyema insisted that any youth that wants to travel to US must pass the Exam.

Speaking on the inauguration day particularly, Onyema warned that until Nigerians fight for each other across ethnic lines, the concept of nationhood will continue to elude the country.

He therefore, pleaded to Nigerians from one part of the country to fight for other Nigerians in other parts of the country so as to engender peace.

“This country will never know peace until we fight for each other. Until we fight for each other, nationhood will elude us,” Onyema said.

The training, solely sponsored by him, he announced, will train 45 members of Oodua People Congress (OPC), Arewa Youths and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on ethnic harmony and how to entrench peace and unity in Nigeria.

However, the conspicuous absence of the Niger Delta Militants was obvious and loud.

Onyema revealed that after the training in Nigeria by US based specialists in conflict resolution, the beneficiaries would also be taken overseas for further training at FEHN’s expense.

He said that the objective of the training is to make the beneficiaries to eschew all those things that create division among ethnic nationalities and to see and help to build Nigeria as one, united entity and also help to galvanise their members to unite and campaign for one united Nigeria.

Onyema who addressed the audience comprising of OPC, Arewa Youths, IPOB leaders, members and other Nigerians said that his Foundation has been promoting peace and unity in Nigeria, an effort started during the Niger Delta militancy, which contributed immensely in quelling the crisis in that part of the country.

On the 5th Day, Onyema who remained focus on the training continued to stress the need for the people – irrespective of their divide, to unite and pursue peace.

“Conflict in itself is not too bad. Indeed, it can be a catalyst for positive change. If conflict is addressed the right way, it is capable of sparking up positive changes,” Onyema told the hot blooded congregation,

reminding the audience that the focus of the training was aimed at engendering better ways of doing things, while promoting Pan-Africanism which is expected to bring positive change to the country.

He said further: “I implore eminent Nigerians to play active role in creating wealth in the economy through job creation and empowerment of the youths as this can help address various forms of agitations.

“One of the challenges facing the country is that the rich are investing their monies in other economies and providing jobs for citizens of such economies.

If the country needs to progress, the pursuit of peace and justice shouldn’t be left in the hands of government alone, because every Nigerian have a role to play in contributing their quota.

“My belief is that if we achieve peace, there will not be any problem. We need peace and justice in this country and we cannot just leave it to government to handle alone.

You don’t need to be a President or Governor to contribute your quota to bring peace in the community. I’m doing this for the love of my country and ensure that she achieves its potentials. We can only do this if there is peace and justice. We are ready to create a new Nigeria.”

Onyema lamented that Nigerians are tired of the divisions and fighting within ourselves as a nation. “Any injustice we are facing as a nation has to be addressed now; it cannot be allowed to linger on for a longtime.

I engaged Nnamdi Kanu and we discussed very well. On my part, I’m helping the Federal Government to engage these agitators to reduce the tensions already created. This is costing a lot of money, but it is done for the pursuit of peace and justice,” he said.

Assuring he has no political motive for this sacrifice, the FEHIN Chairman said he is doing this for the course of humanity.

“I’m not interested in politics; I’m doing this for humanity. Injustice should not be allowed to linger for a longtime, but should be addressed, and the way it is tackled is very important.

“Everybody must not be a political leader to contribute to the development of the country. Recently I wrote to the state security service and I told them to please give me permission to engage the Arewa Youths and IPOB.

That I believe from my position of expertise in conflict management, that I could handle these people. I know that we can make them come together and embrace peace and that I what we are working on now, which I know we will realise to strengthen the unity of Nigeria,” he added.

One of the US trained conflict resolution specialist, Dr. Bernard LaFayette, in his contribution, said the training is a right step in the right direction.

“Participants of this programme will never remain the same after the 5-Day period. It portends all-round-success, and I have absolute confidence in the initiator, Onyema and the programme generally; that is why I am part of the programme,” he said.

The training which is expected to gulp over N350 million, was well attended by Nigerians and a representative of the Embassy of the United States of America in Nigeria.

Others include Obiageri Akano, Joy Imeli, Director of Programmes/Public Affairs of FEHN, Charles Alhpin Snr, and Charles Alphin Jnr amongst others.

Notable ex agitators also present include Mohammed Bowel, Jonathan Lokpobiri, Comrade Rex Anighoro, younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu, Prince Kanu, amongst others.