President Muhammadu Buhari met with Niger Delta stakeholders on Tuesday in Abuja as part of deliberate efforts to find lasting solutions to militancy in the region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Imo states, as well as ministers and other political appointees from the region attended the meeting.

NAN reliably gathered that the stakeholders are expected to make submissions on issues that border on the economic and human capital development, as well as security and restoration of peace in the region.

The meeting is also expected to “focus on socio-economic development of the region as well as building a strong synergy with multinational oil companies operating in the area’’

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, confirmed the names of some of the attendees.

“The governors are seated. Then, we have Ministers from that region; Minister of State for Petroleum; Minister of Niger Delta; Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development; Minister of Budget and National Planning; Minister of State for Health; and Minister of Transport.

“Also here Mr President we have other attendees including the National Security Adviser; Director General, State Security Service; Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Navy Staff.

“Then, from the National Assembly we have Chairman, Senate Committee on Downstream; Chairman, Senate Committee on Upstream; Chairman, House Committee on Downstream; Chairman, House Committee on Upstream; Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta; Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta.

“The governor of Imo State is also here. Then, the acting Managing Director of NDDC; Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and the Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme.’’

Others are Service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Idris Ibrahim and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura as well as traditional rulers and representatives of militant groups. Former governors, civil rights activists and community leaders from the Niger Delta region including Obong Victor Attah, Timi Aliabe, Diette Spiff, Ledu Mitee, Florence Ita-Giwa, Tony Uranta, Nkoyo Toyo, Sen. Ewa Henshaw, Seminatri Bozimo and Roland Owei.

The meeting, which is being presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, began at about 12.10p.m.