Delta state Governor ,Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori said his administration is working hard to curb security challenges in the state.
Governor Oborevwori made the statement during the 2024 annual lecture of the Delta Online Publishers Forum ,DOPF held in Asaba on Wednesday
Commissioner for information,Rep Governor Sheriff Oborevwori
Governor Oborevwori who was represented by the commissioner for information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, said he has put in place necessary resources towards ensuring that Delta state remains peaceful and secured.
“As a government, the issue of security is one that is at the very core of this administration’s strategic focus and its great importance has been underscored by the fact that Enhanced Peace and Security is the fourth Component of our M.O.R.E Agenda, complimented by the other critical components of Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All and Realistic Reforms, which collectively form the MORE Agenda.
“We are very conscious of the fact that Enhanced Peace and Security creates the right atmosphere for social and economic life and it is quite obvious that the other aspects of the development agenda cannot materialize without deliberate and sustained prevalence of peace and security.
“We have built and initiated mechanisms to detect early warning signals, conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and conflict control. We have equally engaged with critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and women, amongst others, to maintain peace and resolve conflicts.
“This administration has created platforms to encourage and promote cultural interfaces between communities, established and maintained channels for policy and programmes feedback from the grassroots and stakeholders, especially through our town hall meetings, engaged our youths in productive and gainful employment through our social safety net schemes and initiatives to mitigate youth restiveness and collaborated robustly with all security agencies in the state, by providing logistics and operational support in the maintenance of law and order.”
As part of implementable solutions to curb insecurity the state government donated 31 operational vehicles to the police and other security agencies to strengthen their efficiency and enhance the joint security operations “in our domain through our existing security special purpose vehicle, now code-named “Operation Delta Sweep.”
Governor Oborevwori said his administration “remains committed to providing the necessary support to ensure peace and security in Delta State and with the measures we have put in place so far, we are confident that our people will enjoy a secure and peaceful state going forward.”
While commending members of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF,the Governor described the group as reliable partners in progress, not only in reporting and promoting the MORE Agenda of this administration, comprehensively but for also embarking on this annual intellectual discourse which has continued to interrogate and expand the frontiers of our national conversation on salient and germane issues.”
“We give kudos to DOPF for the courage and commitment to conceptualize and deliver a quality event of this nature and assure you that this administration remains irrevocably committed to openness and transparency in the business of governance.
“The only thing we desire is that journalists and owners of media establishments should please fact-check their information with relevant government officials before publication for accuracy, fairness, and balance, in line with the ethics of the profession.
“They should not resort to blackmail or the very disturbing penchant of media trials, persecution, cyber bullying and premature judgements against anybody or institution, until the the proper agencies and courts of law have investigated, deliberated and pronounced on such situations.
Earlier the chairman of Delta online Publishers forum ,DOPF Mr Emmanuel Ochonogor Enebeli Said the forum serves as essential bridge , facilitating , understanding and collaboration among security experts , government,civil society and the media .
He however stated that securing communities demands is more than information alone .
Mr Enebeli called for coordinated action , partnership and innovative thinking.
He thanked Delta state government for its committment to policies that are responsive to the needs of the people
For his part ,the chairman of the 2024 DOPF lecture series,Elder Emma Ogidi also commended members of the group for organising the programme,assuring that the guest speaker ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi will do justice to the theme titled security challenges: finding local implementable solutions.
Elder Emma Ogidi advised media owners to verify their stories before publishing.
The Guest speaker,Force public relations officer , Nigeria Police force,ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi during his lecture listed some implementable solutions to security challenges to include addressing root causes ,empower communities and sustainable solutions .
He said communities leaders have a lot to do in order to curb security challenges in the society.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi
The Programme featured panel discussion led by professor Kemi Emina as the moderator,others are Bridget Dominion Foh Affiah , Ambassador (Pst.) Edewor Egedege, Professor Odikasieme Nonsense amongst others.
The programme also featured presentation of Gifts to some Distinguished personalities.
