…Decries general insecurity in Rivers State
The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers
State in the April 2015 election and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside has
called on Rivers youths to shun violence to ensure a secured future for
themselves and a better society.
In his message to mark the International Youth Day 2016, Peterside noted
that the future of every society depends on the wellbeing of its young
people.
“Without doubt, the future of every society and indeed mankind depends on
the wellbeing of young people,” Peterside stated.
The NIMASA D-G bemoaned the overwhelming insecurity that the youths of
Rivers State are now living with.
“Unfortunately today, our youths in Rivers State are forced to live under
the dangerous environment of a State that has been identified as one of
the most dangerous states to live in Nigeria. This rating is occasioned by
the short life expectancy caused by unprecedented cases of armed
robberies, kidnapping, cultism, murder and piracy amongst other crimes.
“It is never in doubt that this sordid situation was created and still
being sustained and promoted by a state government that came into
existence through the patronage of criminality. It is also easily
understood that as a beneficiary of crime, the state government has
compromised the morality and vigour to fight crime. The result is that
Rivers State has become the Hobbesian state of nature, where life is
‘brutish, nasty and short.’
“However, mine is a message of hope to our youths that they should not
despair; they should not give up and indeed they should not quit as
quitters cannot win and winners do not quit. Somewhere at the end of the
tunnel is a ray of light signifying hope, greatness and prosperity for our
youth, people and the future. When the right people take up the mantle of
political leadership in Rivers State, young people will heave a sigh of
relief because the perilous times of today will be quickly dumped in the
abyss of history.
“It is important for our youths to develop their abilities in critical
thinking and deploy same in discerning what is good from bad, what is
right from wrong and engage only in those things that will bring about
progress, better life and advancement to themselves and the society. Our
young people must shun political thuggery, cultism and killings.
“Therefore, on the occasion of this year’s International Youth Day, I urge
our young people in Rivers State to continue to shun violence and vices;
they should rather engage their hands and minds meaningfully to ensure a
better future for themselves and the society. It is only by so doing that
the youths and our people will consummate their dreams and aspirations in
life.”