In the spirit of the Democracy Day celebration, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Pointer Chapel, on Tuesday held a Democracy Day Walk.
The Walk tagged, “Walk for Democracy and Fitness” kicked off at about 7 am from The Pointer premises on Nnebisi Road, Asaba and terminated at the Squash Club, Government House, Asaba, Delta State.
Addressing participants at the Squash Club after the Walk, the member representing Ethiope East in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Oshevire, said democracy has positively impacted on the lives of Nigerians after 13 years. He observed that “though, we are not there yet, we are matching towards our destination.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development in Delta State, Mr Patrick Ferife, said Delta State is richer, development-wise for 13 years of unbroken civil rule. He enjoined all to “support democracy and the government of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan”.
While describing democracy as “a self-cleansing process,” that yields dividends in “leaps and bounds”, the Commissioner tasked the press to be objective in its reportage and contribute its quota to deepen democracy.
Speaking in a similar vein, the former Commissioner for Works, Omordi George Ugbomah, called on the Federal Government to “practice fiscal federalism” if democracy must take root in Nigeria and yield the desired dividends.
Chairman of the Delta State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Chief Ifeanyi Obi observed that democracy has come to stay in the country and urged all Nigerians to work towards deepening it, noting that Deltans have fared better under democratic rule than the military.
The Director of Sports in the state, Mr Victor Onogagamue said the Walk was a very good exercise and urged Nigerians to always engage in exercise which he described as good for the health.
Earlier, the Chairman of The Pointer Chapel of the NUJ, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, welcomed and commended participants for turning out for the exercise. He said the essence of the walk was “to draw attention of Nigerians to the need to support democracy, disclosing that the Walk will be an annual event.
