The Niger Delta, the oil-rich region in Nigeria's south-south has popped in and out of the world's news radar for all but the savoury reason. For those who don't know, there have been persistent hostage-taking incidents of mainly expatriate oil workers by angry and armed youths for nearly two years.

Why? The indigenes say five decades of oil exploration and exploitation in the area has devastated the environment and affected farming and fishing activities, the natives' mainstay. Besides, they say that the area has benefitted little (in terms of development) from the billions of dollars earned over the years.

So to press home the point, an army of militants chose to fight for the better life. Over time, splinter groups formed and kinsmen became arch enemies, with a number of deaths on all sides.

The whole 'struggle' began some ten years ago in Okrika (some 40 km SE of Port Harcourt), where I am headed to witness a widely publicised reconcilliation meeting of seven rival groups, which bear such appealing names as Greelanders, Klansmen and Bush Boys.

At the market square, leaders of each group swore an oath to peace, using the Bible. Peace, at last. The people rejoiced, danced. Afterwards, the excited crowd moved over to a place close to the king's palace, where the fun continued and wound up.

The truce is the first of its kind in recent times and one that everyone hopes will be both permanent and embraced by all other militant groups across the region. It is a fitting first step to righting the wrongs of the past.