…As group embarks on tree planting campaign
By: Felix Ikpotor
Former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, Barr. Worgu Boms has said only indusrialisation can bring about the needed peace in the state.
He said when people are engaged meaningfully, there will be nobody to carry arms to cause problem in the state.
Boms stated this while speaking as guest lecturer at the 9th edition of the Annual Public Lecture series of Journalists for Sustainable Development in Nigeria (JSDN) held in Port Harcourt.
The erudite lawyer took to memory lane as he chronicled how the state has lost over thirty nine once very active and large companies in the Trans Amadi axis of Port Harcourt alone that used to employ the large chunk of youths in the state, adding that at that time, crime was very minimal.
Speaking on the theme “Rivers of Unity, Peace and Love: Not of Blood”, Boms debunked the notion that conflicts among politicians in the state are the cause of the crisis, stressing that even if all politicians in the state unite, the insecurity would still persist.
He said: “to be sure and specific: even if Sir Celestine Omehia, Sir Peter Odili, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, Chief Nyesom Wike, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, Chief Sergeant Chidi Awuse, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Tonye Cole etc all become best of friends today, this state would still not be cured of the type and form of criminality we are witnessing now”
“At any rate, in the not too distant past, many of the political gladiators mentioned here, were best of friends. Did we have the best of peace, the? He querried.
He urged the state government to return back to massive industrialization as that alone can drive the youths away from crime.
“It’s obvious that our brightest bulb in the box is to seek a way to reinstating the industrialisation that characterized the state before now. The government has a role not by seeking peace with politicians and within the political class but through a conscious policy of industrialization and creating the environment that makes business thrive” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Journalist for Sustainable Development in Nigeria, Parry Saroh Benson said the group has decided as journalists to play their own role in bringing about the needed development in the state and country at large, through public lectures, campaigns etc.
While reiterating that knowledge garnered is power, the JSDN boss said the group is impacting knowledge as a way of empowering the populace.
On his part, chairman of the occasion, Rt. Hon Chibudom Nwuche said the theme of the lecture was apt as the state over the years has witnessed a very toxic style of politicking that has affected the development of all sectors of the state.
The former deputy speaker of Federal House of Representatives who was represented at the event by his media aide, Karl Chinedu Uchegbu urged the group to continue in its advocacy for good governance.
Meanwhile, the group had earlier carried out a tree planting campaign at the Isaac Adaka Boro Park.
Speaking at the event, Parry Benson said the tree campaign initiative of the group is part of the group’s effort in combating climate change.
He noted that the group in partnership with the State Ministry of Education would take the campaign to schools.
Speaking on the occasion, Head, Legal and Public Enlightenment Unit of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Barr. Karibi George commended the group for the initiative and called on participants to imbibe the habit of planting trees.
