WE MUST SUPPORT, ENGAGE AND ENCOURAGE OUR OWN — CHIEF INKO BRIGHTSTAR

WE MUST SUPPORT, ENGAGE AND ENCOURAGE OUR OWN — CHIEF INKO BRIGHTSTARrnrnI sincerely appreciate my friend, General Silas Toruwei, for standing firmly in support of our performing Administrator, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro.rnrnThe Presidential Amnesty Programme has given many of us an opportunity to acquire education, develop ourselves and become better citizens. Having benefited from such opportunities, we cannot continue to behave as though we are still in the creeks, where disagreements were often settled through confrontation rather than constructive engagement.rnrnGone are the days when every disagreement with our leaders automatically translated into confrontation.rnrnAs stakeholders in the Niger Delta struggle, we must understand that leadership comes with challenges, and no administrator can solve every problem overnight. What matters is the willingness to listen, engage stakeholders, implement meaningful programmes and continuously improve.rnrnIn my honest assessment, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro is trying. He has met many of our expectations, and there is no doubt that his administration has recorded efforts that deserve recognition. We may still have areas where we expect more, but that does not mean we should pretend that he is not performing.rnrnRather than constantly attacking our own, what should we be doing as stakeholders?rnrnContinuous engagement. Encouragement. Constructive criticism. Support. And, most importantly, presenting good ideas that can help the administration succeed.rnrnDr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro is our own, and his success should ultimately translate into benefits for the people of the Niger Delta. Therefore, we must contribute our quota to ensure that he succeeds.rnrnSupporting a leader does not mean we should abandon our right to speak truthfully. It means that when we identify areas that require improvement, we should bring them forward responsibly and constructively. When we have ideas capable of improving the lives of beneficiaries and communities, we should present them instead of merely criticizing from the sidelines.rnrnThe Niger Delta has suffered enough from division, confrontation and unnecessary internal battles. This is a new era, and we must demonstrate that we have learned from the past.rnrnOur responsibility as stakeholders is not to destroy our institutions or leaders; it is to help build them.rnrnLet us therefore give Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro the necessary support, encouragement and constructive engagement required to succeed. Where he is doing well, let us acknowledge it. Where there are shortcomings, let us offer constructive solutions. Where there are opportunities, let us bring forward ideas that can make the Presidential Amnesty Programme even better.rnrnThe success of Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro is not merely his personal success. It is a success for the Niger Delta and for the beneficiaries whose lives the Presidential Amnesty Programme was established to transform.rnrnLet us choose wisdom over confrontation, engagement over hostility, and development over division.rnrnTogether, we can do better.rnrn~ Chief Inko Brightstar a.k.a. General Whoknows TomorrowrnNational Publicity Secretary, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Third PhasernCoordinator, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro Volunteer Media Team