Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the incessant attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists’ sect but continue to stand behind President Goodluck Jonathan and the various security agencies in their determination to defeat the insurgents.
Governor Uduaghan observed that despite the havoc the group was causing, it was not winning the war and cautioned against actions and utterances that tend to give encouragement and impetus to the terrorists.
Uduaghan spoke in Asaba on Tuesday at the 2014 Children’s Day Celebration, which was marked in Delta State with prayers for the peace of the nation and release of the students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. The theme of the celebration was “Unite for Peace in Nigeria; Unite for Children.”
According to the Governor, Nigerians should not have the impression that Boko Haram was recording victory, stating: “The terrorist group may be destroying things but they are not winning the war. President Goodluck Jonathan is doing everything possible to get those girls released unconditionally and unharmed and also to see to the end of Boko Haram activities in the country.
“I can assure you that the President is on top of the situation and with the help of God, these security challenges will come to an end.”
Explaining why the Children’s Day celebration was marked with fasting and prayers for the release of the Chibok Girls, Dr Uduaghan said, “Nigeria requires prayers, with prayers nothing is impossible before God.”
He noted that failure of parents to properly train and groom their children partly accounted for anti-social behaviour among the young ones and urged them to take upbringing of their children and wads with all seriousness.
The governor particularly pleaded with fathers to play more active roles in their children’s development and stop the trend of leaving the responsibility solely to mothers, adding that the former should take interest in visiting the schools their children attend and go through their school notebooks.
Uduaghan who had an interactive session with the children advised them to desist from any temptation to join cult groups and other anti-social activities that could jeopardize their chances as future leaders of the country.
The children in their separate answers to the question of the Governor on what Boko Haram meant had described the group as ‘child kidnappers’, ‘terrorists trying to destroy Nigeria’, ‘bad people who are throwing bombs.’’
In the exhortation delivered by one of the school children, Ayeh Jennifer, she observed that the rapid growth and development of Nigeria in all spheres of life lay in the citizenry living in unity and peace among themselves.
Ayeh also admonished parents to imbibe strong morals and discipline in their children to make them better citizens of the country.
The children who piloted the affairs of the day offered prayers for the release of the Chibok school girls, peace in Nigeria, peace in Delta State, an end to anti-social behaviour among students as well as prayers for the leadership of the state and the nation.
