According to Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, chairperson Advisory Board of Converge, and the Commissioner For Information and Communication, Rivers State has continued to exist, as a platform to change and reclaim those ideals of old in the state, not just about carrying guns, but a re-orientation to take the youths back to their old values.
Ibim said that the younger generation is the one to change their generation to what it is expected to be. These were the views of Mrs. Semenitari in her welcome speech at the converge and Rewine Port Harcourt program that took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while Mr. Apola Diepriye Opuda, Co-founder, coverge conferences, who shared same views with Ibim, said the conference was targeted at the young at heart and their resolve to move their search light to Bonny Island.
However, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, who spoke extensively on “building a lasting legacy”, pointed out that there has been a sense of disenchantment in the Nigerian society, describing Nigeria as a country that is absolutely ignorant of one another. He spoke further that essence of who we are is really eluding us from who we are.
The catholic bishop explained that legacy must be built on consistency, referring to Nigeria as a country that is in a hurry in every department. He wondered why Nigeria has not been able to build a coherent society after several changes in government.
Kuka questioned the gain Nigeria has made to have seven different governments from 1993 to date as against those other African countries that probably had one simple government for the past 20 years ago.
He maintained that Nigerian politicians should stop deceiving themselves and the people to believe that construction of roads, boreholes and other infrastructure are the ideals for developing a nation, pointing out that the future of a nation will be driven by ideas.
The erudite bishop opined that Nigeria is a country that has no rules of engagement, adding that a nation that does not dream cannot develop or have a future. He added that a country must be elastic enough to accommodate the excess of her youths.
Bishop Kukah however commended the president, Goodluck Jonathan for his amnesty offer to the Boko Haram sect.
He added that amnesty cannot be granted to ghosts, but to the visible members of the sect. On Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis in Rivers State, Kuka affirmed that PDP as the largest party in Nigeria has the potential to settle its differences.
The man of God urged the people of the state not to follow the matter as it is now, adding that the people in question are politicians that can always settle their differences at any time.
While Barr. Nimi Walson-Jack, the second speaker, who dealt on my society, my responsibility urged the youths of the state to get involved in political activities, adding that only when politics is changed for better, and only will better, that good things will begin to happen in the society.###
Blaise Elumezie
