He made the call just as Foreign Defence Advisers/Attaches to Nigeria have collectively commended the ‘Delta beyond Oil’ economic development model of the Uduaghan administration in Delta State.
Uduaghan who spoke while receiving a team of Foreign Defence Advisers/Attaches to Nigeria on a courtesy call, commended the international community for the support it was giving Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, noting that terrorism was a global menace that required concerted action across the world.
“In Nigeria, we are aware of the issue of terrorism, let me thank you, your embassies and your countries for openly condemning terrorism in Nigeria, terrorism is a global challenge and collectively, we can deal with it,” the Governor stated.
He said that his administration has taken proactive steps to ensure that the state is peaceful and safe for all, disclosing that the Nigeria Immigration Service recently identified some illegal immigrants in Delta and has dealt with them in accordance with the law.
The Governor also used the occasion to state that the Delta Beyond Oil model was designed to economically empower the people with the strong belief that when the people are positively engaged, it will be near impossible for them to be recruited for nefarious activities.
“You are abreast with the security challenges in the country, in the Niger Delta, we had our own security challenges starting from militancy and agitations which were dealt with through dialogue and the amnesty programme,” the Governor said, adding: “The fallout of the militancy such as kidnapping, oil theft, and vandalization are also being tackled with our economic model, the Delta Beyond Oil.”
Uduaghan explained that the state was addressing the issue of peace and security from the economic perspective through the Delta Beyond Oil policy because of the uncertainty of oil business.
“The oil can dry up tomorrow but when our people are empowered in the areas of solid mineral, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism; it will be difficult to recruit them for criminal activities as they will become gainfully employed”.
Leader of the delegation, Captain Michael Afolabi of the Nigerian Defence Intelligence Agency had explained the team was in Delta State for the Defence Advisers/Attaches to have knowledge of the area and commended Governor Uduaghan’s administration for setting up structures for investments to thrive in the state.
Col. Rajesh Sethi, Doyen of Defence Advisers and Attaches in Nigeria also speaking commended the vision and foresight of the Uduaghan administration in evolving the Delta beyond Oil Economic Development Model.
He observed that the model has the potential to diversify the economy of the state and also help reduce criminal activities as envisioned by the State Government, adding that the team since it arrived the state has been impressed with the level of development achieved under the Uduaghan administration.
