Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has urged the newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major General Everest Okoro, to sustain proactive security operations and collaboration with other agencies to protect lives, property and critical economic assets in the Niger Delta.
Oborevwori gave the charge on Tuesday when Okoro, who also serves as Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, paid a courtesy visit to the Delta State Government House in Asaba.
The governor congratulated Okoro on his appointment and described 6 Division as a strategic military formation with a key role in maintaining peace and security across the region.
Oborevwori said the relative peace in Delta State was largely attributable to sustained cooperation between the state government and security agencies.
He noted that Delta’s position as a major oil-producing state made security in the region particularly important to Nigeria’s economic stability.
“Delta State is very, very key to the economy of Nigeria, and we rely on the security agencies to do their work because the peace we are enjoying today is the result of collaboration between the state and the security agencies,” the governor said.
He said the state government had continued to support security agencies with infrastructure and logistics, citing the recent construction of one-unit flats at the Amphibious Army Barracks in Agbor and sustained logistical support to the 63 Brigade.
Oborevwori stressed that security and economic development were closely linked, saying businesses and investments could only thrive in a stable environment.
“If this region is safe, the economy will go up. If there is unrest in this region, the economy will go down,” he said, urging the new GOC to adopt proactive measures against criminal activities.
The governor assured the Army of continued cooperation from the state government and recalled his previous involvement with the Presidential Amnesty Programme and engagement with security agencies in the Niger Delta.
Earlier, Okoro said his visit was part of a familiarisation tour of formations and units under his command following his assumption of office.
He commended the Oborevwori administration for its support for Delta’s security architecture, particularly in infrastructure, welfare and economic development.
The GOC identified Delta’s oil and gas infrastructure, waterways and other critical national assets as key security priorities, stressing that their protection was important to Nigeria’s economic and energy security.
Okoro said credible intelligence, realistic training and effective coordination among security agencies and other stakeholders would be central to addressing security threats within the Division’s area of responsibility.
He said his leadership would focus on protecting critical national assets, defeating security threats and delivering assigned missions through disciplined leadership, realistic training and seamless joint operations.
The Army chief also commended the existing relationship between the Delta State Government and the Nigerian Army, particularly the 63 Brigade, and called for its sustenance.
Oborevwori Tasks New 6 Division GOC on Security Collaboration in Delta
