By Constance Meju
Barr. Kingsley B. Otuaro
Deputy Governor Delta State
The failure by the federal and state governments to diversify the Nigerian economy poses a threat to the country and the Niger Delta. That was the expression of Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, at the award ceremony in commemoration of the fifth year anniversary of Gbaramatu Voice at Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
The deputy governor who, was among the distinguished awardees at the event, described
himself as an integral part of Gbaramatu Kingdom said, “the laudable efforts of national and sub-regional governments to diversify the economy beyond oil and gas into agriculture and solid minerals have been insignificant
“According to him, the implication is that “whatever threatens our mono-economy,threatens our country and the Niger Delta region. He stressed the need to work on the identified issues of sustainable peace and security for the region.
Otuaro, described as a peace engineer, whose efforts have
ensured sustainable peace in Delta State, said the demand for justice by the region cannot be achieved in the absence of peace and called on all well-meaning Niger Deltans to join hands to advance the region and promote peace.
“This justice we want on our political and economic platform cannot be achieved in the absence of peace”, he stated as he
urged Gbaramatu Voice to keep flying the flag, noting that the Niger Delta region cannot be undermined.
Also speaking, Niger Delta Most Distinguished Humanitarian Personality award winner, Timipre Wolo raised concerns on the Niger Delta girl-child.
While expressing deep appreciation for the award, her first from home, the respected Abuja based lawyer and player in
the oil and gas sector stressed that in charting the course for a better Niger Delta, focus should be beamed beyond the identified peace and security challenges to the education of the girl-child as a vehicle for effectively driving sustainable peace and development.
She said her story would not have been the same without the benefit of education. “I would not be where I am today without education,” Timipre stated.
