By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, JP.
#eacgovdelta
Today, July 8, marked another full blown year of God’s divine influence in the life of His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Ekwueme Gburugburu,
His journey in life has been very remarkable, qualified as a medical doctor at the tender age of 23 years, practiced medicine and due to his large heart for service to humanity, he ventured into the political arena and in 1998, began to craft result oriented leadership strategies that would launch him into the mountain top of public service through representative government.
He gradually rose from the bottom of the ladder in politics and public service to an enviable position; served as local government chairman, multiple commissioner, Secretary to Delta State Government, Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing the good people of Delta North Senatorial District; and was elected as the third executive governor of Delta State, in 2015, in the present democratic dispensation.
Calm, calculated but very firm, the Ika born son of Anioma nation, set in motion a new vision and roadmap to build on the legacies of his predecessors, His Excellencies, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan. He embarked on a journey to give Delta a face-lift and ensure that the three senatorial districts are developed in line with the socioeconomic and infrastructure development agenda, as encapsulated in the SMART and STRONGER DELTA agendas.
Six years in the saddle as governor of Delta State, practically revealed the purposeful and dynamic leadership of governor Okowa, touching lives and changing destinies through the divine inspiration of God.
His greatest hobby is to celebrate Jesus, and to savour His divine presence through praise and worship. His tenure as governor opened a new page of practical devotion in Government House, wherein it is a daily affair to first worship God, in morning devotion cum service at the Chapel before commencing government business. And it shall be so throughout the life span of this administration and it is hoped that the next governor in 2023, will sustain the trend of putting God first before anything and anybody. God dwells in Delta State.
Okowa’s socioeconomic policies for the youth and women took over 100,000 Deltans from the congested labour market and made them bread winners and employers of labour. Delta is the only state in Nigeria, that has achieved this enviable record in human capacity development, job and wealth creation. In recent weeks, testimonies of thousands of the beneficiaries of YAGEP, STEP, RYSA, PROJECT GEST, etcetera, flooded the social media, praising and thanking Okowa, for giving their lives a positive touch, hope and a brighter future. Thank you, Your Excellency. God, will continue to give you a brighter future, in Jesus Name, Amen.
His visionary leadership is felt in virtually every aspect of the state economy, building political bridges and playing multifaceted roles as a true democrat, a christian and God fearing individual whose pragmatic leadership has been well recognised and attested to by political leaders in Southern Nigeria, across Nigeria, and beyond.
Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, is today the Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, the leader of the Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He is one of the most respected national leaders of PDP, and very famous for conducting what was adjudged the most transparent, fair and free national convention of PDP in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in 2019.
In all of these, Deltans are the greatest beneficiaries of Okowa’s 62 years here on planet earth, as can be seen from his enviable and mesmerising track records of excellent service to humanity and his people.
He excelled as Council Chairman, made remarkable progress as Commissioner in the state, adjudged one of the best SSGs, brought reforms to the Health Sector as Chairman, Senate Committee on Health and placed Delta State in the front roll of fast developing states in Nigeria, as revealed by national and international agencies, including the National Bureau of Statistics, World Bank, Tony Elumelu Foundation, the Central Bank of Nigeria and and United Nations.
Today, Delta is now the second least poor state in Nigeria. It is on official record that an average Deltan spends over two United States Dollar per day (1,000), whereas in 2015, Delta State was ranked one of the poorest states in Nigeria. Thank you, governor Okowa.
The completition and commissioning of the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, upgrade of Asaba International Airport, construction of a multi billion Naira Delta State Secretariat due for commissioning very soon, Teachers Institute, FRSC Training School, renovation and equipping of six moribund Technical Colleges, renovation, construction and equipping of primary and secondary schools across the state, establishment of three additional Universities in Delta, are some of the achievements this administration.
Other landmarks of Okowa’s good governance strides includes; construction and commissioning of a gigantic traditional rulers secretariat in Asaba, a modern and well equipped Court of Appeal complex, construction and rehabilitation of over 500 roads of nearly 2,000 kilometres, underground water tunnels of nearly 1,000 kilometres and reforms in the health sector.
Okowa good governance brought about; monthly financial assistance to widows, prompt payment of student bursaries, sports infrastructure development and overwhelming victories at sports competitions, prompt payment of salaries and allowances, poverty alleviation, adequate provisions of logistics supports to aid efficient operations of security agencies in the state, result oriented peace building initiatives, etcetera.
It follows that celebration governor Okowa at 62, is the responsibility of all well meaning Deltans, home and abroad. He’s God’s gift to Delta State and mankind. He is worth celebrating in and out of season.
Congratulations to the “Roadmaster” of our time, a game changer, a pragmatic and visionary leader, multiple award winner and the platinum governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on the occasion of your 62nd birthday anniversary celebration. Bravo!