Foremost Delta governorship aspirant, Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi, has said that the only solution to the problem of insecurity in Nigeria is to productively and profitably engage the youths in a manner that will provide sustainable means of livelihood for them.
Gbagi made the suggestion while delivering lecture on “Security Challenges ahead of 2023 Elections and the Way Forward” during the press week organised by members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Warri Delta state.
Gbagi believes that many Nigerian youths are not gainfully engaged, hence some have ample opportunity to engage in unwelcome activities. He is of the belief that if youths are profitably engaged, they would have no time to indulge in acts that are inimcal to the well-being of society.
The guber aspirant who has obtained the 2023 governorship nomination form under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, told journalists that among all the aspirants in the race, he has the cleanest and best record.
He dispelled insinuations that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has endorsed any aspirant, insisting that Okowa has not endorsed anybody.
He challenged media practitioners in Delta state to speak the truth, noting that “unless we speak the truth, a wrong man will be elected as governor and such may not be good for the future of our state.” He added: “To bring someone with questionable character will be detrimental to the good of Delta state.”
Gbagi, who insisted that journalists are the problems of the state for failing to report issues as they are and hold public office holders accountable, said prior to 1999, media practitioners were truthful but that virtue has faded away.
He said: “The problem we have in Delta state, 70percent of it is traceable to journalists. They are responsible for the decay in the state. The killings, rituals and corruption in the state is the fault of journalists.
“The poor performance of government officials is the fault of journalists. Journalists have what it takes to repair our democracy. In developed world, journalists are more respected than the police. To ignore journalists is the greatest disservice anyone, any society can do to itself.”
He called for journalists to be investigative, and block evil corruption by their writing. This, he reasoned, would put public officials to check.
