By Kelvin Ohoror
The Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Community Development, Hon. Emakpor Odogu has organized a two day workshop for community leaders and vigilantes in Isoko nation on Protecting Government
Facilities with a theme: “The Role of Community Leaders in Isoko” at the ancient Ekpre Otobo hall, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The first of its kind, the workshop in Isoko was attended by five delegates each from all the clans in Isoko and Isoko communities in Ndokwa.
In an address delivered by the convener, Hon. Emakpor Odogu said tha, “the two days workshop on protection of government facilities: the role of community leaders is a testament to the Governor’s commitment to community engagement and sustainable development through his MORE AGENDA.
According to him, “the workshop is organized to explore ways to protect government facilities and promote socio-economic growth in Delta State”.
Hon. Odogu further said that, he recognize the critical roles community leaders play in safeguarding public assets and promoting development, noting that the presence of the community leaders is the demonstration of commitment to the noble cause of protecting government facilities.
He emphasized that, “as custodians of our collective heritage, community leaders are the bedrock upon which the edifice of our society is built”.
He admonished that, as custodians, “we should chart a course for a safer, more prosperous, and more resilient Delta State, where government facilities are cherished, protected and utilized for the benefit of all”.
Earlier, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Community Development pay courtesy visit to some traditional rulers in Isoko, to hint them on the impending workshop at Ekpre Otobo hall.
Delivering his keynote lecture on the roles and responsibilities of communities in protecting government facilities, Prof. Chris Akpotu the President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU) said that, “community leaders as custodians of their communities have a unique position to influence and mobilize their people to safeguard public assets”.
He asserted that, community leaders and their followers should have a mental reconstruction by seeing government properties as their own properties, stating that public assets are stolen by people with that mental construct that, they are government properties.
Prof. Akpotu also advocated for a reward mechanism by the various organs of government for the vigilantes who have been safegaurding public assets without renumeration in various communities continuing that a reward system will motivate them to do more in protecting public assets.
Also, Chief Dr. Jimoh Eshenake in his lecture on the overview of government facilities in Delta State and their importance said that, government facilities are important because they support service delivery, create jobs, attract investment, maintain law and order, and improve quality of life.
Mr. Alex Sanco who also delivered a lecture on identifying and mitigating security risks to government facilities in Isoko nation stated that, community leaders must have integrity, vision, on how to put security structure in place to ensure government facilities in their area are protected.
He further emphasized that, the community leaders must work with the security agencies and trained those under them on how to safeguard government facilities.
