Without peace, security, economic growth slows – Gov Oborevwori

Stakeholders across Delta State have agreed to unite against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality at a summit that brought together heads of security agencies, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups, youth and women organizations, and members of the business community.

Stakeholders at the summit organised by the government to deliberate on strategies for strengthening peace and security across the state, on Wednesday, in Asaba, condemned all acts of terrorism across Nigeria,

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori while delivering his keynote address, with the theme, “Security: A Collective Responsibility” declared that security remains a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens.

He said the security of lives and property remains fundamental to sustainable development, noting that no society can prosper in an atmosphere of fear and instability.

“Security remains the foundation of every prosperous society. Without peace and stability, economic growth slows, investments decline, and communities struggle to thrive. This is why the protection of lives and property remains one of the most important responsibilities of government,” he said.

The governor stressed that while government and security agencies have constitutional responsibilities to maintain law and order, lasting peace can only be achieved through collaboration among all stakeholders.

Calling for greater public cooperation with security agencies, the governor emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering and timely information sharing.

Oborevwori said; “If you don’t share information, security agencies are not magicians. They operate based on intelligence and credible information. Criminals thrive when communities remain silent and stakeholders work in isolation.

“The strongest security systems are built on trust, cooperation, vigilance and timely sharing of information. If you see something, say something.

“Let me make a resounding statement that Delta State condemns every act of terrorism recorded in any part of our country. We will continue to unite against terror until our nation is fully safe and secure for all citizens.

“I call on every resident of Delta State to be security conscious and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. Together, we can enhance peace and security in our communities”.

Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, said the summit was convened in response to growing security concerns across the country and the need for proactive engagement with critical stakeholders.

According to him, the gathering was designed not only to identify security challenges but also to develop actionable solutions that would enhance peace and security throughout the state.