Boko Haram, IPOB, N’Delta Challenges Resolvable, Says Otuaro

…Advises FG should make concessions for peace

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, says despite country-wide security challenges, peace for development is possible just as he thanked Almighty God and the individuals he used, including Evang. Eddy Owase of Christ Embassy Church, to aid his modest contributions towards national peace.

Otuaro spoke, weekend, as the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), Nigeria, which had conferred him with a Fellow of the SPSP, organised a lecture delivered by Prof Isaac Olawole Albert on the theme: “Governance, Security and Peacebuilding in the Niger Delta”, itself title of the Book presented by the SPSP in honour of Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro at 50 years.

“Talking about security, let me observe: From when I was at the University of Ibadan, on my voyage in Peace and Conflict Studies, I wondered why, say Boko Haram insurgency, IPOB challenge, Niger Delta crisis among others should linger, if the Federal Government leverages on knowledge of experts such as my teacher, Prof Isaac Olawale Albert, who was first to introduce Peace and Conflict Studies as a discipline to Nigeria at the University of Ibadan”, Otuaro suggested.

Otuaro appealed to Niger Delta agitators: “Do not shoot self in the foot by destroying the environment through oil facilities vandalism with attendant environmental pollution. Let the intellectuals leading the struggle embark on a paradigm shift and evolve ways of drawing national/international attention to our plight without violence, which Mohandas Ghandi posited is a courageous way of life”.

“Let us think of ways to maximally engage government to benefit optimally from our oil before it runs dry or lose its value in a world gradually shifting its focus to other sources of energy. There are more bridges and road projects and other infrastructure that would require huge revenue and expedited attention in the riverine areas for our socio-economic advancement”, Otuaro advised.

“The FG should hence adopt win-win and avoid win-lose strategies towards reconciling all sections of the country to forge a united, strong and prosperous Nigerian nation, Otuaro pleaded, adding: “The FG should please see no sacrifice as too big to achieve peace in all parts of the country including the Niger Delta”.

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