At Waziri Adio’s Book Launch, Stakeholders Task Public Officers on Integrity

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Stakeholders in Rivers State have urged public officers, especially those in the corridors of power, to value integrity while in service and ensure that they achieve the purpose they are called to service.

This call was made yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, during the launch of a book titled: ‘The Arc of the Possible,’ published by the former Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr. Waziri Adio.
In his address at the event held at the Port Harcourt Club, Senator Magnus Abe, noted the need for the society to encourage those who have good intentions and developmental ideas for the country.

 Abe, who was the chairman of the programme, regretted that values are placed mostly on things that bring setbacks to the country.
He said the young ones are not encouraged to read books that would develop them and earn them better life in the future, because the society prefers to “reward agents of immorality, violence, crisis” and other vices.
The former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state, explained that “the book deals with an aspect of Nigeria that we never say anymore in the country.”

According to the former Rivers East senator, “Waziri explained how he tried to separate public finances from his personal finances”.
He, however, urged the current public office holders to get a copy of the book and read it, adding that it will create a real change that will positively impact on the nation’s development.

In his speech, the governorship candidate of Accord Party in the 2023 general election in the state, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, noted that the society does not reward people for merit.
He said: “Struggle is the essence of life. We all need to live. Our society today does not reward merit”.
 On his part, the author of the book, Adio said governance is a moral enterprise, stressing the need for strategies for a better future.
 Speaking with THISDAY at the event, Adio said: “The challenges are still there in creating a better society and the resources to work for all Nigerians. Especially now, things are tougher than the time when I was there for the country.

“This is 2023; what we are struggling with now as a country is a far cry for what things were three years ago. But that is what it is; there are decisions we should have taken a long time ago that were delayed. We just have to bear the brunt now, hopefully, until the government has to do what they will for things to get better.”

He said: “If you have the opportunity to serve, serve with the best of your ability. You should also let people know that they can learn from your experience, so they don’t repeat the mistake you made. This is something we should do as a country, when people serve, they should share their experience so that people will learn and make a difference and that is why I documented my experience”.

The convener of the programme, Mr Kingsley Wali, said the plan was to encourage development and youth inclusiveness in a better Nigeria.