Stop blame game, take responsibility, Uduaghan urges leaders

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Thursday asked Nigerian leaders to stop passing the buck and take full responsibility for the insecurity crisis in the country. Uduaghan spoke at Asaba, where a special church service was held to mark the 2014 Democracy Day. Special prayers were offered for the peace and unity of the country, and release of the abducted female students of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. The governor said sponsors and members of the terrorist group, Boko Haram were not faceless and could be fished out and made to face the law. He said, “It is impossible for someone not to know who knew someone who knew members of the Boko Haram sect. “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.” Uduaghan urged every Nigerian leader to be personally involved in seeking lasting solution to the Boko Haram menace. “We cannot stay in the country and allow some people to overrun the country and we are aloof,” he said. While assuring that his administration will continue to be proactive towards ensuring the peace and security, the Governor urged all political aspirants not to overheat the polity as they prepare for the 2015 general elections. He said his administration was determined to midwife a violent-free transition to another administration, insisting that power belongs to God. “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. The governor called for prayers and cooperation of the citizens of Delta State as his administration winds down on its activities. In 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 opposition, which included: spiritual, ancestral, marital, financial, social, psychological, academic and physical but all could be surmounted when one returned to God, exercised faith in Him and allowed 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.