Without peace, security, and economic growth slow – Gov. Oborevwori

Stakeholders from across Delta State met to confront terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities at a summit that brought together heads of security agencies, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups, youth and women organisations, and business community members.

The government‑hosted summit in Asaba on Wednesday was convened to discuss strategies for bolstering peace and security throughout the state and to denounce all acts of terrorism in Nigeria.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, delivered the keynote address under the theme “Security: A Collective Responsibility” and asserted that security is a shared duty requiring active participation from the government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens.

He stated that safeguarding lives and property is essential for sustainable development, noting that no society can prosper under fear and instability.

“Security remains the foundation of every prosperous society. Without peace and stability, economic growth slows, investments decline, and communities struggle to thrive. This is why the protection of lives and property remains one of the most important responsibilities of government,” he said.

The governor emphasised that while the government and security agencies have constitutional duties to maintain law and order, lasting peace can only be achieved through collaboration among all stakeholders.

Calling for increased public cooperation, he highlighted the importance of intelligence gathering and timely information sharing. “If you don’t share information, security agencies are not magicians. They operate based on intelligence and credible information. Criminals thrive when communities remain silent and stakeholders work in isolation,” Oborevwori said.

“The strongest security systems are built on trust, cooperation, vigilance and timely sharing of information. If you see something, say something,” he added.

He declared that Delta State condemns every act of terrorism recorded anywhere in the country and pledged to continue uniting against terror until the nation is fully safe for all citizens.

“I call on every resident of Delta State to be security conscious and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. Together, we can enhance peace and security in our communities,” he urged.

Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, explained that the summit was convened in response to escalating security concerns nationwide and the need for proactive engagement with key stakeholders.

According to him, the gathering was designed not only to identify security challenges but also to develop actionable solutions that would improve peace and security throughout the state.