Stakeholders from Okpe Kingdom in Delta State have called on well meaning sons and daughters of the kingdom to invest and establish industries in the area to mitigate the scourge of insecurity that had hindered the development of the locality over the years.
The stakeholders, who canvassed this at a one day security summit organised by the Okpe Youth Council in partnership with the Centre for Development, Sapele in Orerokpe, the ancestral home of the Okpe Nation, equally urged the people to influence investors to the kingdom to boost the socioeconomic activities of the area.
The summit with the theme, “Security As Sine Qua Non For Development-Okpe Kingdom In Perspective”, which had in attendance top notch security experts in the kingdom, including His Royal Majesty Maj. Gen Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd) Cfr, Mni Orhue 1, Orodje of Okpe as the Royal Father Of The Day, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Elder (Chief) Sheriff Oborevwori (JP), Former Minister of Information, Okakuro Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, immediate past Commissioner for works and 2023 governorship hopeful, Augoye, military, paramilitary agencies, including youths, drawn from the kingdom.
The Orodje called on residents of the kingdom to provide full support to security agents in achieving a secured and peaceful Kingdom.
The Orodje, who was represented by the Duke of Orerokpe District, Prince Ambassador Godwin Ejiyeren, said that no investors could invest in an unsecured environment and appealed to his subjects to shun any acts capable of truncating the prevailing peace in the kingdom inorder to woo investors to the kingdom.
The Chairman of the occasion, Former Minister of Information, Okakuro Prof. Oyovbaire, in his opening remarks lamented the rising spate of insecurity in the country and Okpe Kingdom which, he said, was not insulated from the security challenges and commended the Okpe Youth Council for organising the summit.
He posited that the submit would proffer solutions to some of the security challenges including cultism, robbery and kidnapping among others confronting the development of Okpe kingdom.
Professor Oyovbaire appealed to the youths to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge that would qualify them for any opportunities once there were vacancies in the few companies in the kingdom.
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oborevwori in his remarks called on Okpe indigenes and residents to support security agents in the area in achieving a secured and peaceful Okpe Kingdom.
The Speaker who was represented by his Special Adviser, Chief Daniel Ivwighren (JP), stated that the rate of violent crimes in some parts of the kingdom in recent times was becoming worrisome, adding that the security summit was not only timely but very important to help sensitise Okpe youths against violence and social vices.
The Commanding Officer, 19th Battalion, Koko, Delta State, Lit. Aliyu Umar, who spoke on security delivery in Okpe Kingdom, the role of the battalion, reiterated the commitment of the command to partner various representatives in the kingdom to provide peace and security to the people.
Lit. Umar, who described cultism as the mother of all crimes, blamed most of the security challenges on leadership problems, ignorance of the youths and unemployment, among others, just as he called on all and sundry to provide a peaceful atmosphere for investors to come and do business in the kingdom.
While evaluating the role of the police in protecting lives and properties in Okpe kingdom, the Divisonal Police Officer of Orerokpe, ACP Oluwole Ojo, who represented Sapele Area Commander, sued for synergy from the public for effective policing.
He however pointed out that information sharing remained a critical means of stemming crimes in the society.
The Chairmen of both Okpe and Sapele Local Government areas, who were represented by their secretaries Barr. Eju Ekru-Wokwo and Hon. Felix Ayemidejor respectively, said that the Councils were committed at ensure peace and security in the areas.
The duo commended OYC for the initiative in organising the summit and pledged to continue to partner with the group in provide peace and security in the areas.
The Project Coordinator, Sapele Centre for Development, Mr. Ekpeme Temiagin, who spoke on Capacity Development As A Path For Enduring Security, called for holistic approach in tackling insecurity in Okpe kingdom by creating employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed Okpe graduates.
In his vote of thanks OYC National President, Comrade Israel Otomewo, said that the summit was put together to provide a melting point for Stakeholders in Okpe Kingdom to evaluate the present security architecture within the kingdom and develop workable synergies at ensuring peace and security in the area.
He said that the outcome of the summit had generated the needed formula to secure Okpe kingdom in line with OYC vision for development.
Comrade Otomewo commended the Orodje of Okpe, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and Prof. Oyovbaire, among very many others for gracing the event.
The summit featured interactive session, questions and answers by participants.