Victor Otuya and Wilson Macaulay - Asaba
The Delta State Government on Wednesday inaugurated the state Advisory and peace building committee in the state Capital Asaba.
Addressing the members during the inauguration, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the council was a first step in the fulfilment of the second point of the SMART agenda.
According to Governor Okowa, the Council was an improvement over the Delta State Advisory Council that had been in existence since the year 2000.
He noted that the Council sought to promote sustainable peace in the society by identifying and tackling the root causes of violence whilst building and enhancing indigenous structures and capacity for conflict prevention and peace management.
According to him, “Ultimately the goal of peace building in any society is the enforcement of human security and that refers not just to the absence of violence but the presence of food security, financial security, educational security, health security and social security”.
He lamented that kidnapping, cultism, sea piracy and crude oil theft, with their attendant economic and environmental challenges were obstacles to the state, adding that he was concerned with the emerging trend of inter and intra communal land dispute, conflicts between oil Companies and their Host communities, post amnesty agitations as well as clashes between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers, which constitute serious security threat that we must confront with boldness and decisive action.
Okowa maintained that history beckoned on them not to disappoint the people of Delta State, emphasising that only the best was good enough for Deltans.
The Chairman of the newly inaugurated council Professor Sam Oyovbaire who responded on behalf of the members appreciated the Governor for finding them worthy of the appointment. Oyovbaire observed that though the assignment is enormous, he admitted that it is a task that must be done.
He noted that, the terms of reference of the council are exhaustively crafted and challenging. According to him, everything will be done to ensure that the premise upon which the council is founded is not deviated from.
Professor Oyovbaire promised the state Governor and Deltans in general that as Chairman of the new body, he will work collectively with the members by using the platform to increase the unity, harmony and peace which exist in the State.
Oyovbaire also assured Deltans that the assemblage of men and women who make up the list of the council are people of proven integrity who have distinguished themselves in their various disciplines and appealed to the governor to listen to them any time the need arise for them to advice in the capacity they are appointed.
Members of the newly inaugurated Delta State advisory and peace building council are professor Samuel Oyovbaire Chairman, Sir B.S.C Elue former Deputy Governor under Chief James Ibori Administration member, Chief Mrs. Nkem Okwofu member, Chief Dr. Chris Agbobu, Alawei Brodick Bozimo. Others are: Brig. Gen. B. Demeyeibo, Chief Mike Adiotomre, Barr. (Mrs.) Phillip Atagana, Chief William Ibori, Rt. Revd. Cyril Odutemu, chief S.I. Agidi,Chief John Nwagimeje, chief Barrister A.J. Opkakpor, Sen. Stella Omu, Pharm. Paul Enebeli, Senator Patrick Osakwe, Hon. Dr. (Mrs.) F. Nwaeze, Prof. E.C. Nwanze, Dr. Pius Sinebe, Chief Joseph Egigba, Chief Eddy Sorhue. Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Uduehi, Chief Major Patrick Egone(rtd), Chief E.D.O. Oborfukoro, Chief Dr. Robert Ejifoma, Chief (Mrs.) Grace Boyo, Chief Wellington Okrika, Mr. Joseph Ikhena, Bishop Triumph Osian, and Chief Dennis Etaloku.
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