Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has cautioned leaders in the country to stop the “blame game” but take full responsibility and play active roles in the battle against terrorism.
Governor Uduaghan spoke on Thursday at the 2014 Democracy Day celebration which was marked with solemn inter-denominational church service in Asaba, where prayers were offered for the peace, unity of the country, and release of the abducted female students of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
Dr Uduaghan who took a swipe at those who claimed that sponsors and members of the dreaded terrorists group, Boko Haram was faceless, said it was “impossible for someone not to know who knew someone who knew members of the Boko Haram sect.”
The Governor whose speech was laced with his personal efforts towards ensuring that aggrieved militants sheath their swords in Delta State asserted, “we all have to be involved to solve the problem of Boko Haram, leaders have to take responsibility at the national and state levels rather than pass the buck.”
“Leadership comes with responsibility, decision making and engagement with the people. There are leaders in those areas (northern part of Nigeria), yet, we hear people say, we do not know them (Boko Haram) or we cannot engage them.
“I want to appeal to every Nigerian, especially our brothers and sisters who are from the northern part of the country to take responsibility, we cannot say we don’t know somebody who knew somebody who knew them (members of Boko Haram), and these people are not faceless” the Governor said.
He urged every leader in the country especially those in the northern part of the country to be personally involved in seeking lasting solution to the Boko Haram menace, observing: “We cannot stay in the country and allow some people to overrun the country and we are aloof.”
While assuring that his administration will continue to be proactive towards ensuring the peace and security of the people, the
Governor urged all political aspirants not to overheat the polity as they prepare for the 2015 general elections, stating that his administration was determined to midwife a violent-free transition to another administration.
Uduaghan reiterated that power belonged to God and that he had no influence over who would succeed him or win the governorship election, warning, “do not take a life because you want to attain political position.”
“Eight years is not as long as we imagine, so, if you must destroy because you cannot wait for eight years, you are not only destroying yourself but you are destroying the whole system,” he said, and called for prayers and cooperation of Deltans as his administration winds down on its activities.
Delivering a sermon with the theme, “What the Lord started through you must be completed,” Revd. Fr. Mario Dibie said in life, one was confronted by eight oppositions, which included: spiritual, ancestral, marital, financial, social, psychological, academic and physical but all could be surmounted when he/she returned to God, exercise faith in Him and allow the Spirit of God to envelop him.
Prayers were offered for President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Nigeria, Delta State, the South South region and for the release of the abducted Chibok girls.
