Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday charged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of peaceful co-existence so as to reduce the burden on security operatives.

Speaking in Asaba at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service to mark the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Dr. Uduaghan pointed out that with peace, the work load on security operatives would be reduced.

He observed that security operatives are making a lot of sacrifices for Nigerians due to their actions or inactions. “Please, let us ensure a peaceful society so that we will not need to send security men to communities, so that we will not need to keep security men on our roads,” he said.

The governor assured Deltans that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he will not shy away from carrying out his responsibilities without fear or favour. He noted that the Remembrance Day celebration was a sad reminder of those who died for the nation and also, those who are making selfless sacrifice for Nigerians.

“I will not shelve my responsibilities, I will do the work I have taken oath of office for,” the governor said, adding: “Using the security forces, I will do my work of providing security for all Deltans.”

He decried the protection of criminals by some communities in the state, warning that any community that is used as base and training ground for criminals would face the wrath of the law through the security operatives and that no amount of blackmail shall deter security men from carrying out their duties.

Uduaghan also decried the level of blackmail of security operatives keeping the peace in Kokori by criminals and their backers in the community. He reminded the people that “if they are not breeding and supporting the criminals in their midst, there will have been no need of sending the security operatives there,” adding that “ the security operatives should be allowed to carry out their jobs in peace and stressing that they would remain there until their job was completed regardless of the blackmail.”

While calling on communities to be involved in the fight against criminals rather than protecting them, Uduaghan called for prayers for those who have sacrificed their lives and those who are still taking risks to make the country safe.

Earlier, Revd. Paul Anyasi, who delivered a sermon on the topic ‘The Choice Is Ours’, said Nigeria can be a better place if Nigerians think and act positively and reduce shifting of blames and condemning actions of those in authority.

“Let us support our leaders, we should learn to forgive those who offended us, we must get Nigeria right by doing what is right for our nation,” he said.

He opined that the development of a nation was the collective responsibility of both the leader and the led. According to the cleric, “if the citizens rally round and collectively support the leaders and show love to one another and change our mind set, then we can rebuild and change the nation.”

The ceremony was attended by the cream of the society and service chiefs.

•Photo shows Governor Uduaghan.

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