BY FESTUS AHON
AS angry and hungry Nigerians embarked on nationwide protests over hunger and starvation tagged #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori made frantic efforts to dissuade Delta youths from participating in the ongoing protest for the obvious reasons of possible hijack by hoodlums to cause mayhem to innocent people.
The administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had, prior to the commencement of the protest on August 1st, engaged major stakeholders across the state on the need to shun the protest. The state government insisted that the protest could be hijacked by hoodlums like the #EndSars protest which led to the loss of lives, businesses, property of citizens and public infrastructures.
However, as the protest entered day three across the country, it became very imperative to commend Delta youths for embracing peace across the state.
Commending Delta youths and stakeholders for their peaceful disposition, Governor Oborevwori while saying he feels their pains, expressed delight on the peaceful manner Deltans conducted themselves across the state.
The Governor said: “My dear youths of Delta, I thank you for the way and manner you organised yourselves.
“We are aware that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. We shall continue to protect the lives and property of our people.
“As a state government, we remain committed to the ideals of good governance anchored in our MORE Agenda.”
…Says Protest Not Solution To Nigeria’s Challenges
Governor Oborevwori had on Tuesday appealed to Nigerians, particularly those behind the planned protest, to shelve the idea, saying such protests would rather aggravate the nation’s challenges.
Oborevwori, who said the government was addressing issues raised, maintained that such protests would not solve the nation’s challenges considering the outcome of previous protests that were hijacked by hoodlums.
The Governor made the appeal when he hosted the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh and his delegation at Government House, Asaba.
According to the Governor, “a few days ago, I read your press statement on this protest. I was very happy and your coming here today is an opportunity for you to talk to other fathers of faith in this state, to continue to put this state and the country in prayers.
“We know it is a very hard time but our belief is that any time our people go to the streets to protest, the outcome is always different.
“We know all the demands and requests of the protesters. We are doing our best to make sure that our people are being taken care of. So protest is not the solution at this time.
“You have reason to protest but can you manage the protest? We have seen it in the past, we know what happened and how it ended. People were robbed and attacked.
“We have listened to your cry and we are doing our best. The solution is that we have to be more united and peaceful to see how we can move the state from the level it is today to a higher level. I believe we will achieve it.
“So your coming is a blessing because you need to talk to our people. At the evening service today or tomorrow you can preach to our people not to take laws into their hands. There are people who are already planning to hijack the process.
“You have a big role to play in these few days that you will stay here and I know that this state will continue to enjoy peace.”
…Says Hard Times Require Innovative Thinking
While inaugurating newly appointed Commissioners and Special Advisers on Wednesday, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, said the nation was experiencing hard times which require innovative and creative thinking by governments at all levels to provide good governance for the people.
While congratulating the newly sworn-in Commissioners and Special Advisers, Governor Oborevwori, charged the appointees to “be innovative and think outside the box. The times we live in call for creativity and innovation on the part of those of us who have been entrusted with leadership.
“Staying afloat in a turbulent economy demands mental rigour, strategic planning, and creative execution of policies and programmes.
“I urge you all to think outside the box. As leaders you must be resourceful, encourage and welcome new ideas, and be ready to churn out innovative policies and programmes targeted at meeting the real needs and aspirations of our people. You must therefore guard against nonchalant attitudes and hit the ground running.”
The Governor also urged the appointees to acquaint themselves with and observe financial regulations, adding that the administration places high premium on fiscal discipline, probity, and accountability.
… Protests May Worsen Nation’s Economy – Urhobo Christian Ministers
The Urhobo Christian Ministers Association International, Wednesday, appealed to Nigerian youths to suspend the nationwide protests over rising hunger and starvation in the country. The Christian body said the protest may further crumble the nation’s economy and aggravate hunger in the land.
Addressing journalists after a visit to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State at Government House, Asaba, President of the Association, Archbishop Solomon Gbakara said the appeal became necessary following assurances that President Bola Tinubu was addressing the challenges that led to the rising hunger in the land.
Gbakara said as Ministers of God they were concerned about the peace of the country and thus appealed for the suspension of the planned nationwide protests to avoid hoodlums taking advantage of the situation to loot shops and businesses.
He said: “I want to appeal to Nigerian youths that while all of us are feeling the heat of the hunger that is blowing like a harmattan wind in Nigeria, we should also be sensitive and constructive in our actions and decisions.
“So we are advising the youths that with what we have heard from President Bola Tinubu that he is putting in place to tackle the challenges, we advise that the planned protest be suspended for now.
“Let us look at the outcome of what Mr President has said because we are believing God that the outcome will be good and we are saying this by faith because we know our prayers to God will be and.
“We advise that let the protest be suspended for now and let the youths go about their work so that the economy will not crumble because once the economy crumbles the hunger will continue to increase and in the long run we will still go back to what Mr President has said.
“So for now let’s give Mr President more time to bring to pass the promises he has made to Nigerians. We have been praying that action for peace is better than protests that will be destructive. We are praying for the peace of the state and the nation.
“We are praying for peace so that hoodlums will not hijack the process to set us back. We are for the peace of the masses, peace for the government and peace for both the rich and the poor and for every citizen of this country.”
