DELTA COMMISSIONER TASKS NOA TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES, IMPUNI

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah wants the National Orientation Agency, NOA, to step up campaign to ensure equality in access to opportunities as part of measures to prevent conflicts in the country.

Chief Ukah stated this in Asaba at the NOA South South Zonal Sensitization to curb post election violence, other security challenges, and to promote discipline, unity and patriotism.

The Commissioner represented by an official in the ministry and Secretary NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe said ’’Where there are no equality in access to opportunities, a country where impunity is very high, I am sure NOA will find it difficult to really make the people believe them.’’

He stated further,’’ But whatever the case, we must keep faith as a country by addressing the root cause of some of these problems. This is where the NOA should try and re-strategize.’’

‘’Impunity is very high in our country; disobedience to constituted authorities, and lack of equality in access of opportunities. If you don’t know one or two ministers or honourables, getting a job is difficult or even opportunity to start up your own business. These are the things that will cause people to be agitating for one thing or the other when there is no equal access to opportunities. So, I think the NOA should address that issue to see how those who are concerned should change the trend so that Nigerians will have access to opportunities that will better their lives’’, Ukah added

Flagging off the sensitization, NOA Director General, Dr Garba Abari represented by the Imo State Director of the agency, Mr Vitus Ekeocha, urged the people of the South South geo-political zone of the country  to embrace the National Orientation Agency’s platform of peace building in all their communities to bring about the much expected economic transformation of the region.

Doctor Abari said post election violence and other security challenges will reduce to the barest minimum when those elected execute programmes and projects for the wellbeing of all the people.

Representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Delta State, the Reverend Oke Akokotu and the State Moslem Board, Alhaji Bala Abdullahi gave an assurance that religiou bodies would continue to promote peace in the state.

There were goodwill messages from representatives of Delta Police Command CP, Adeleke Adeyinka and the Commandant of National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta Command.

The programme tagged: ‘’Building a People of Peace’’,   drew participants from the religious bodies, security agencies, media, NGOs, political and governmental bodies.

Highlight of the sensitization was a paper presentation on curbing post election violence by a media expert and GM, Pointer Newspaper, Mr Clement Ufuani