When we destroy facilities, we destroy ourselves, Okowa tells saboteurs

GOVERNOR of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has urged Deltans to realise that whatever damage they do to the nation’s facilities in the state is a destruction of themselves.

Okowa made the assertion on Friday at a Public Lecture/Book Presentation held in honour of his deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro in Warri.

The book with the title: “Governance, Security and Peace Building in Niger Delta” was sponsored by the Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Nigeria, South-South Zone and was presented to mark the 50th birthday of Otuaro.

Ostensibly referring to hoodlums engaged in the destruction of government and economic assets in the state, Okowa lauded the current tranquillity pervading the state.

“I think there is still a lot to be done in Delta even while we are enjoying so much peace at the moment.

“People must continue to realise that whatever we do to destroy any of the facilities we have in Delta is actually a destruction to ourselves,” he quipped.

Okowa averred that governors alone cannot entrench peace, noting that all hands must be on deck to achieve the needed feat.

“Governors alone cannot build peace, it is a participatory thing; all the people of Delta have to be involved so that the partnership will be strong.

“We have peace-building structures; those of us in government must provide that partnership because without that, we cannot achieve peace,” he enthused.

The governor, who commended the Society for Peace Studies and Practice, Nigeria, South-South Zone, for the great work, recommended that copies of the book be given to the 60 traditional rulers in the state as well as the President-Generals of the various communities in Delta.

He thanked God for giving Otuaro the grace to celebrate 50 years and wished him more successful years.

Meanwhile, Professor Isaac Albert, Director, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, in his keynote presentation/lecture, said there was a need for Delta to build a consensus challenges confronting the Niger Delta region.

“There is a need for us to know the kind of Delta we want; if we destroy our state, who will come from other ethnic nationalities to build it for us?

“Among the Niger Delta governors, there is need to also build consensus to tackle the main problems in the region. There is a need for the governors to have a peace study programme,” he admonished.

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The celebrant, Otuaro, in his remark, thanked God and the organisers for the honour done him.

“I thank God for the gift of life and mercy; I am overwhelmed and glad to see this great day. Being 50 is heartwarming and exciting,” he enthused.

The 383 pages book was reviewed by President, Historical Society of Nigeria, University of Ibadan, Prof. Chris Ogbogbo amid dignitaries such as the immediate past governor of Delta, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, state and federal lawmakers, government functionaries and traditional rulers among others.