JUMADA-AWWAL 7, 1429 A.H.
TUESDAY, MAY 13 2008
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Monarch advises youths on peace
The traditional ruler of Eket, Akwa Ibom state, Dr Timtinikon Enodien, has advised youths to shun violence and other vices and preserve the existing peaceful atmosphere in the area.
Enodien advice came on the heels of reports that some youths had attacked oil workers in neighbouring communities in Esit Eket local government area of the state.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that an enabling environment was required for investors to fully operate and develop the abundant oil and gas resources in the area.
The traditional ruler said the youths should channel their grievances through the established channels rather than becoming violent and lawless in making demands from companies operating in the area.
Enodien said the Eket Traditional Rulers Council was concerned about the high level of youth unemployment in the oil producing communities and had taken steps to address it.
``We have been involved in measures designed to generate employment for youths and other able bodied and employable men and women.
``We are doing this by collaborating with investors within our domain, and this has enthroned peace and harmony throughout Eket local government area.
``Peaceful co-existence is an essential prerequisite for combating unemployment and poverty. Employment can only be generated through injection of investment capital into the system.
``No investor wants to risk investing in a crisis prone community,'' he added.
He said that cooperation among the different groups in the community had distinguished Eket as the most peaceful and investor friendly place in the Niger Delta region.
Enodien urged clan heads, youths and women leaders to sustain the temple.
He said the area was already on the path to development given the high influx of investments in the recent past.
``We are happy about the development in the community. The drilling at Uqua marginal oil fields has also started,'' he said.
