N’Delta struggle, not about destruction – Hassan
• Thursday, Aug 9, 2007
The Chairman of the Rivers State Peace and Rehabilitation Committee, Alhaji Hassan Douglas has told youths of the state not to destroy the state in the name of fighting for the emancipation of the state.

Alhaji Douglas gave the advice last Tuesday at a meeting of the Committee with the people of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

Alhaji Douglas said while government was in support of the course of emancipation and the struggle against marginalisation of the Niger Delta, it was opposed to the criminal angle of the struggle, which has just been recently introduced.

He hinted that the intention of government was for everyone to form a common front in the struggle but noted with sadness that the introduction of criminality such as destruction of lives, kidnapping and other acts of terrorism could not lead to the actualisation of the struggle.

Alhaji Douglas explained that unemployment would continue to confront the state if the youths do not stop the harassment and kidnapping of those who would have developed the economy and provided employment opportunities for them.

He announced that to address the problem of restiveness among youths, the state government constituted the Peace and Rehabilitation committee to meaningfully engage youths that choose to give peace a chance in the state. He urged them to embrace peace initiative being brokered by government to turn their lives around for good.

The Chairman Caretaker Committee of Port Harcourt City Local Government, Mr Achinike Wonodi assured the committee of the support of the council and urged the youths to embrace the opportunity.

The State Peace Committee also visited Obio/Akpor Local Government area where the Chairman, Alhaji Douglas underscored the priority the Sir Celestine Omehia-led government attaches to youth development in the state.

He named scholarship scheme, employment opportunities, economic empowerment and skill development as some of the programmes being proposed for youths in the state and charged them to take advantage of the opportunity.

The Chairman Caretaker Committee, Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, Dike Harcourt Whyte who described peace as the bedrock of development of any society commended the committee for the tour.

The committee had earlier paid courtesy call on the Eze Epara Rebisi, Eze Sunday Woluchem at his Palace and also met with Traditional Rulers of Obio/Akpor communities.
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