IN today's Nigeria where the embers of ethnic violence are being stoked daily by characters of all shades who take to public spaces to make unguarded utterances without regard for the peace and continued unity of the country, it is somewhat easy for efforts by ordinary Nigerians at lower levels of society who are working hard to defuse the tension in the country to go unnoticed. Indeed, despite the well-meaning efforts of government and the private sector to deliver democracy's dividends to the citizenry, the general feeling in the land is that of tension, distrust, disenchantment and in some cases, an outright abandonment of caution to the vagaries of whatever ill wind is being blown by mischief makers. However, despite the negativity that pervades our political and social airspace, there is yet hope that we can go against the tide, paddle against the ill winds and row our nation's boat out of the dark, murky waters we are currently in.A small but noteworthy pointer to the efforts of some Nigerians to foster unity in the land can be evidenced by the award of honour recently conferred on Captain Shehu Usman Iyal- a man who hails from Northern Nigeria -by the National Association of Niger Delta Students. That a group from the Niger Delta could look past the socio-political mistrust currently rife in Nigeria's North-South divide and honour Captain Iyal, a man well deserving of such accolades, is noteworthy and commendable. It goes a long way towards spiting the misguided efforts of home-grown terrorist elements who appear hell-bent on pushing Nigeria over the precipice.Keen observers of recent activities in Northern Nigeria by criminal elements masquerading as religious extremists fighting a holy cause would have observed increased levels of violence and intimidation directed at innocent Nigerian citizens. Despite wanton and blatant acts at provoking violent responses from the peace-loving, law-abiding Nigerians, some even still healing from the emotional and psychological scars of a recent militancy, peace has prevailed even though there still looms the danger of reprisals. It may seem like a small, insignificant attempt at keeping the peace but when examined critically and without the myopia of ethnic jingoism and strife, the honour conferred on Captain Shehu Iyal by the National Association of Niger Delta Students can help defuse and deescalate tensions in the country.Captain Shehu Usman Iyal, already recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) currently serves Nigeria as the Senior Special Adviser on Aviation (SSA) to the President. He has served meritoriously in this capacity for over eight years and is well respected in aviation circles for his wealth of experience and strength of character.Indeed, unlike certain presidential advisers (past and present) known for vociferously attacking the opposition, Captain Iyal, a detribalized Nigerian, has been statesmanlike in service of his fatherland. In honouring a recent invitation to appear before the legislative arm of government to clarify certain issues in the aviation sector, he was most professional and even when refuting the lies of a certain airline that had resorted to a campaign of blackmail and calumny against the federal government, did so in a gentlemanly manner worthy of commendation. That Captain Iyal is worthy of the Award for Excellence he recently received from the Nigerian Association of Niger Delta Students is not in doubt and there are significant lessons that Nigerians can and should learn from this instance.While it is easy to sing the praises 'and well-deserved they are- of prominent serving leaders in Nigeria such as Governors Godswill Akpabio, Adams Oshiomhole, Rotimi Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola amongst others, there are several unsung heroes who are meritoriously contributing towards building a better Nigeria but are not being celebrated. That it is youth organizations such as the conveners of The Future Awards and the National Association of Niger Delta Students who are spearheading the celebration of present-day achievers and heroes so that their 'labours of love' will not be in vain is instructive and seems to corroborate the oft-stated point that Nigerian youth are well and able to contribute meaningfully to national development and should be given greater roles to play in governance.The National Association of Niger Delta Students, whose National President is Comrade Lucky Emonefe, is the umbrella body of all Niger Delta students in tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria and worldwide. Peopled by some of the most brilliant minds in this generation of Nigerians, the association is among its other laudable roles, empowered by its constitution to organize the Niger Delta Students Award to present Awards of Excellence to deserving Nigerians of all ages, tribe and creed who have visibly contributed their quota to the development of the Nigerian state. The Association is working assiduously to bring together students who hail from the region to tackle socio-political and economic problems facing the region and to advocate for sustainable development by peaceful means. That the Association's Award for Excellence, which it recently bestowed on Captain Shehu Iyal, both honours a well-deserving Nigerian citizen and at the same time engineers a bridge-building effort of fostering peace and unity across the Niger is both brilliant and a display of excellence in statecraft.Not a man given to shying away from salient, albeit slightly touchy issues, the National President of the Association of Niger Delta Students, Comrade Lucky Emonefe has called on the 'leadership of Boko Haram to shun all their violent acts and killings of innocent Nigerians' because 'it is inhuman and barbaric'. He urges them to 'embrace dialogue so as to foster the much-needed national unity that is critical for Nigeria to make sustainable progress.'He also has an interesting view on the ongoing national constitutional review and advocates for 'financial and political autonomy for Local Government Councils and State Houses of Assembly.' With extensive knowledge of the remote and immediate causes of the Niger Delta agitation for equitable distribution of resources that led to armed militancy in the region which is now a thing of the past, he urges President Goodluck Jonathan to 'implement the Ledum Mitee's Technical Committee report on the Niger Delta, to properly ensure that all disarmed youths in the region are usefully engaged, and to ensure that the appropriate authorities in charge of the amnesty programme to be all-embracing'.With this much knowledge and leadership acumen on display by Nigerian youth in this season of anomie, there is yet hope that the centre still holds and things will not fall apart. At least, not while there are still Nigerians who believe in the dreams of our country's founding fathers and are committed to building bridges of peace across the Niger.
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