By Our Correspondent
Nigerians have been called upon to take proper ownership of public infrastructures and assets in their immediate domains to identify and curb vandalism in society.
This was the message of various Speakers on Thursday, in Benin City when stakeholders gathered to identify the Cost of Vandalizing Public Property at a one-day advocacy event engendered by the Merit Chapel, an arm of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council.
The Resource person, who doubles as co-host, and the Commandant, of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Edo State Command, Dan Samuel Okon, emphasized the need to continue to sensitize the society on protection of public property and assets.
While enumerating key areas the Corps Operatives have recorded successes over vandals in the state, Okon said allowing criminals to desecrate public property could create negative multiplier effects on the nation’s economy.
Okon, however, Charged Traditional and Religious institutions to drive the awareness culture instituted by governments at local levels as well as all interest groups who have taken it as a panacea at various forums to halt all forms of attacks on public property within their immediate environments.
He urged the citizens not to condole any act of theft or vandalism in their domain while encouraging them to report any suspected incident to the nearest Corps operatives for onward actions.
On his part, the Chairman of the occasion Hon. Charity Iguodala Aiguobarueghian, who is the Majority Leader, Edo State House of Assembly, expressed satisfaction with the projection of the event, calling on society to take ownership of public property and assets to reduce the menace of vandalism in the State.
The commissioner of information and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, represented by a director, in the ministry, admonished citizens to have a positive attitude towards proper maintenance and protection of public infrastructure to prevent the government from spending huge resources on repairs and reconstructions.
The National Coordinator of Youth 4 Youth, Comrade Kelly Okungbowa pledged to convey the message to youths on how best to secure government property, just as he sued the youths to join forces with government to build a hospitable society conducive for leaving.
Earlier, the chairman of Merit Chapel and host of the event, Comrade Eben Enasco in Unison with the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe who was represented by the Union’s Secretary Comrade Andy Egbon, said they were motivated to amplify the advocacy to end the scourge occasioned by some instances of recorded vandalism of critical public property, adding that the initiative couldn’t have come at a better time.
Dignitaries cutting across media spaces in the state NUJ, including the past chapel chairmen, leadership of the various sister Chapels, and representative of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYNC), graced the occasion.
