BY Monday Uwagwu
No wise farmer plants in a forest on fire-Ancient African proverb
Long, long ago-perhaps as soon as the time was born and history began- it was held, and without sustainable argument to the contrary, that peace is the grandparent of sustainable development.
The truism and relevance of the above proverb are self-evident in the daily life of man and have since found credible credence in the works of renowned Development Economists who hold that wholesome development and enduring peace and security are identical Siamese twins.
The import of the wise crack of ancient Africans as captured above and the submission of Economists was never ever, for the briefest capsule of time, to be lost on the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who recently, in deference to his personal conviction, inaugurated the State Advisory And Peace Building Council, in Asaba, in pursuit of the practical implementation of his administration’s MORE Agenda. The broad mandate of the council sums up in just a few words: enhancing the tempo, timbre and tenor of peace and security in the state.
At the occasion, Governor Oborevwori underpinned the critical importance of the council and the imperative of peace in the state, saying his administration would not only partner conventional security agencies but also ensure that all issues that can threaten public peace and peaceful coexistence in the state would be adequately addressed under the aegis of the MORE Agenda, the acronym for the thematic operational code and philosophy of the government.
Pointedly addressing the galactic ensemble of the members of the council led by former Minister and elder statesman, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, at their inauguration at Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori described them as men and women of exceptional accomplishments in both the private and public sectors and expressed the hope that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
Though Delta State is peaceful, relative to other parts of the country, the publicly expressed sentiments of the governor at the inauguration ceremony reflect his innate desire for deepening the tempo of peace and security in the state.
As is now generally acknowledged, the inauguration of the council, one of the major actions of the Oborevwori administration, has multiple elements of significance which put it rightly where it belongs-a frontline project for a government truly desirous to earn its place of pride in the already enviable annals of the state.
A primary element of significance of the inauguration is its timing-less than five months after its inauguration into office. A true evaluation of this element is better appreciated against the backdrop that Oborevwori did this at a time some of his contemporaries and colleagues are still settling down to duty after their swearing in. In fact, that the inauguration of the vital council is one of the many other worthy initiatives already taken by the administration depicts the preparedness of the governor for service in the exalted office of state governor, well ahead of time. In sum, he came into office roaring to go.
Another element of the overall significance of the inauguration of the council is the fact that it enables the person of the governor to lay the appropriate foundation for the envisaged far-fetched fulfillment of the fourth pillar of the MORE Agenda, which revolves around enhanced enduring peace and security of life and property in the state. This element is especially vital in the light of the truism of our earlier submission in this write to the effect that Development Economists hold peace and security as vital precedents for sustainable wholesome development to which they (peace and security) also are inextricably tied as identical Siamese twins.
Though the state is not in a serious security crisis, the ageless African proverb above which says that no wise farmer plants in a forest on fire drives home the place of peace and security, which constitute the fourth element of the MORE Agenda, in the sustainable development of any society, and underlies and underlines the predicate of the Oborevwori initiative with regard to the council.
For the government, the right slant here is on preventive action.Yet, there is much more to the initiative of the government.
Thematically, the event and the council itself glut with vital significance. This is because, rather than constitute just a committee as is most common these days, Oborevwori opted for a council, which has a broader, deeper, mandate portfolio. It is interestingly important to note that the council is not just an observer body but one with the scope of responsibility that includes peace building. This is laudable as it typifies the huge store that the government places on the council and its faith in its ability to deliver.
Again, there is the element of significance relating to the number 44, which is not just spiritually important and rhythmically appealing, but speaks to the desire of the administration to source actionable experience and knowledge and skill from a broad spectrum of the society, without creating clumsiness and bloating.
Of course, the scope of the membership also tell a good story that defers to not only competency , but also inclusiveness. It is gratifying to note that members are drawn from the clergy, traditional institution, the professions, civil and public services, security and politics; this is an attempt by the government to garner credible actionable inputs from a broad spectrum of the society to deal with issues as they arise.
Correlatedly, the scope of the mandate of the council is understandably big; it has the responsibility to, using credible information at its disposal, advise the government on vital proactive steps to prevent misunderstandings from degenerating to crisis and constituting veritable threats to public security and peaceful co-existence, while dealing with existing ones.
The wisdom in this mandate portfolio is underpinned by the ageless saying that prevention is better, cheaper, than cure.
And then this: by giving the council the mandate to work for enhanced understanding and cooperation between the state government and its people and other states and the Federal Government, Governor Oborevwori has exponentially demonstrated his conviction that, just as individuals, Delta State, must have peace not just within its borders, but equally importantly, outside of it, by earning the trust, goodwill and cooperation of others.
Overall, the end goal of the Oborevwori administration is to ensure that the state remains secure and sure footed as it marches to unequalled stardom as Nigeria’s champion state.
What greater wisdom exists than this?
