FG should leverage lecturers to solve crisis – Delta deputy gov

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has urged President Muhammad Buhari to make some concessions that would instil peace by leveraging on the knowledge of experts. Barr. Otuaro said despite nagging security challenges across the country, actualising enduring national peace is possible. Otuaro, who spoke on his golden jubilee anniversary and conferment […]

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has urged President Muhammad Buhari to make some concessions that would instil peace by leveraging on the knowledge of experts.

Barr. Otuaro said despite nagging security challenges across the country, actualising enduring national peace is possible.

Otuaro, who spoke on his golden jubilee anniversary and conferment as Fellow of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), Nigeria, urged the Federal Government should adopt a win-win approach in conflict resolution rather than the win-lose strategies.

The deputy governor said efforts should be geared towards reconciling all sections of the country to forge a united, strong and prosperous Nigerian nation.

“The Federal Government should please see no sacrifice as too big to achieve peace in all parts of the country including the Niger Delta.

“Talking about security, from when I was at the University of Ibadan, on my voyage in Peace and Conflict Studies, I wondered why, Boko Haram insurgency, the IPOB challenge and the Niger Delta question should linger.

If the Federal Government leverage on the knowledge of experts such as my teacher, Prof Isaac Olawale Albert, who was first to introduce Peace and Conflict Studies as a discipline in Nigeria at the University of Ibadan”, these security challenges would be tackled headlong", Otuaro opined.

On the incessant Niger Delta restiveness, the golden jubilee celebrant said: “Do not shoot self in the foot by destroying the environment through oil facilities vandalism with attendant environmental pollution. 

"Let the intellectuals among the agitators lead the struggle by embarking on a paradigm shift and evolve ways of drawing national and international attention to the region’s plight without engaging violence, which Mahatma Ghandi posited as 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.