Commission set up for Niger Delta

The Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has inaugurated a special commission intended to bring development to the troubled Niger Delta region.

Speaking at a ceremony in the capital, Abuja, the president described it as an act of historic significance which Nigerians had been eagerly waiting for.

The commission, which has been delayed by squabbles between the government and the National Assembly, is meant to draw up a development master plan for the region.

However, the BBC correspondent in Nigeria says it's not clear how the commission will proceed from there.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service