Insecurity: Stakeholders urges government to engage citizens more

By Onitsha Shedrack, —-KOKO—– September 26^th, 2016——–

 

Stakeholders have emphasized the need for government at all levels to positively engage the citizens through dialogue, noting that sustainable peace and security could only be achieved when the government and the people have a common ground.

This assertion was made by speakers at a Day symposium held on Thursday, at KCMA hall, Koko, Warri North local government area, Delta State, organised by the 19Battalion, Nigeria Army, Koko, for youths, community leaders and student  as part of programme to mark the 56^th National Day celebration.

The resource persons stated that without security, there can’t be any meaningful development, noting that security is the pillar upon which every important development could be achieved and sustained.

The Commanding Officer, 19Battalion Koko, Lt Col. Anthony Ozemhoya, in his presentation titled; “Security: A Panacea to sustainable Development,” observed that Nigeria can achieve sustainable development only through firm prioritization of security in the development agenda.

He added that security challenge is a global issue that is not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that if Nigeria can mix its human and natural resources in the proper proportion shunning nepotism, the country will become a great place.

The CO therefore called on the civilian populace to support government and security agency’s effort to checkmate the criminal element among them by give useful intelligence to the law enforcement agents around them.

Speaking on a paper titled; “Skill Acquisition a veritable too for reduction of crime,” Mr. Godwin Erewa, Administrator, Delta State Vocational Center, Sapele charged youths in the area to endeavour to acquire skill in order to contribute to economy of the nation and be fully employed.

Mr. Erewa stated further that if one is proficient in his or her skill, the person’s services would be constantly in high demand, noting anyone that has a meaningful means of livelihood will not be involved in crime.

He therefore urged young people to imbibe the right value by taking part in entrepreneurship and contribute to the development of the society in order to have a secured future.

Mr. Tony Ejor, in his paper titled; “ Koko: The Past, The Present and The future,” called on the indigenes to come back home and also encourage investor to come to Koko to setup business in order to bring development to the community which used to be a center of commerce.

He also stressed the need for continues engagement between the government and the people, even as he called on the local government authority to maintain the physical town planning programme started by their forefathers.

The event also have prominent people in attendance including Chief Victor Nanna, the Olariaga of Koko, the LGA Chairman, who was represented by the Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ikolo, DSP Akimoye, HPM, Warri North LGA, representative of CAN and the Muslims, community leaders, youths Corp members, school children among others.