By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, JP.
#eacgovdelta
When you seek leadership position for selfish personal, small group or ethnic interests, what you get is temporary fame and rejection on instalment basis.
And if you are elected to manage the commonwealth of your state or country, do so transparently devoid of nepotism, undue favouritism and without tribal/ethnic sentiments or colouration so that your achievements can be well appreciated by all and sundry after your tenure.
The 21st century leadership structure cut across boarders and with the advent of the new media and highly sophisticated technologies, it has become very easy to have access to first hand information that enables the global community to rate your performance in office.
The Bible says; "...from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," Mathew 12:34; and in another superlative Scripture, it says; "seeth a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings and not before mean men." proverbs 22:29.
The choice is basically that of the individual who find himself or herself in the corridors of power; either to say and do the right things and be appreciated or say and do the wrong things and be hated across board, particularly when out of office. We have dozens of such past leaders who are either loved or hated after their tenure due to open exhibition of gross incompetence, nepotism, undue favouritism and/or chauvinism.
Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, is here with us live and direct and his visionary leadership is glaring. You may not like everything he does, for it is the nature of man to pass both just and unjust moral rulings, depending on his or her relationship with the accused person(s). This account for the reason why we have divergent views and opinions about some actions and inactions of the leaders, between government and the governed.
Looking around Delta state before the advent of Okowa administration, it can be safely asserted that there were huge infrastructure deficit, but today we can boldly say that this administration has achieved tremendous progress; particularly in the areas of roads and physical infrastructure development that cut across the three senatorial districts.
The frequency of projects inspections and inauguration under Okowa leadership has been amazing and truly fascinating. Deep down the God given conscience of members of the opposition political parties, they node to themselves that the governor is a workaholic, a perfect gentleman, a promise keeper and a visionary leader par excellence.
The YAGEP and STEP programmes achieved monumental success and at the last count over 30,000 Deltans have benefited directly or indirectly, which is why the global community especially the World Bank, Tony Elumelu Foundation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, etcetera, got attracted to lend helping hands in ensuring that more and more Deltans have access to the skills acquisition and vocational training programmes of this administration, enhanced with Starter Packs and financial assistance to facilitate governor Okowa's vision for jobs and wealth creation.
We can also testify to the mega projects; the multi billion Naira State Secretariat due for commissioning any time soon, the various underground water storm tunnel/drainages sucking heavy erosion from Okpanam through Asaba and into the River Niger, which hitherto caused the collapse of buildings in the state capital.
The Court of Appeal Building, Delta State traditional Rulers Secretariat, ongoing construction of Technical Colleges in all local government areas of the State, are glaring evidence of Okowa's visionary leadership.
The Girl Child Empowerment Programme, GCEP, which recently graduated over 400 trainees, and each graduand with starter packs, shops and financial assistance, is the only young female adults empowerment programme in sub Sahara Africa, and second to none. Thus, Gov Okowa covered all segments of the state population and gender friendly.
The Rural Enterprise Youth Development Programme under the State Ministry of Youth, is currently training over 800 vibrant youth across the 25 local government areas in various skills and vocation, to further deepen the state governor's drive for sustainable prosperity for all Deltans; under the Stronger Delta mantra.
There is no state compared to Delta in Nigeria when it comes to genuine and all embracing jobs and wealth creation, and I stand to be corrected.
The beneficiaries of these programmes will in turn train others, create multiple jobs in various skills and vocations. It is only a level headed and goal oriented leader like governor Okowa that can succeed in these task of raising thousands of future millionaires in the state, and it is only fair to commend him for his good governance initiatives.
We all saw the mess created by erosion around Uvwie, Effurun, Warri and environ and how the state governor created a development agency to tackle the problems and to beautify the commercial city to enable it regain her true status as an ancient commercial hub.
It must be stated that Warri infrastructure deficit was inherited by this administration and it is already receiving prime attention. The projects are ongoing and due for commissioning sooner than later.
Our Airport, the Asaba International Airport is now one of the major hubs in the nation's aviation industry, totally renovated, rebranded and concession for effective management, consistent infrastructure upgrades and to maximise substantial profits for the state government and the concessionaire in accordance with international best practice and standard, and in the same token create thousands of jobs to decongest the state labour market.
It is a well known fact that this administration has awarded over 500 roads and other infrastructure development contracts across the three senatorial districts, and over 300 of such contracts have been completed and commissioned within a short period of five years and still contributing.
More bridges are springing up across the state to complement road networks built by this administration. The set goals of Okowa administration are glaring and we cannot shy away from his good governance strides. What we need do right now is to support government genuine efforts to make the state stronger socioeconomically through regular payment of taxes.
Tax evasion is illegal and a crime against the state. As responsible citizens we are to pay our taxes to enable government provide more social amenities for our people. This administration has judiciously deployed internally generated revenues, IGR, for various projects and programmes, and still counting. I implore you to trust Gov Okowa's prudent management of resources by paying your taxes regularly.
Peace building and provision of adequate logistics for security agencies in the state is another area this administration has been endeared to the hearts of right thinking Deltans who are in the majority. Traditional Rulers, youth, women groups and community leaders have been coopted into peace building process by the governor.
The governor interacts with stakeholders on a regular basis and collectively proffer solutions on how to sustain peaceful coexistence and enhance community policing in the state; in collaboration with all the security agencies and vigilante groups. Delta is peaceful for investments and tourism.
We now have additional Universities; Delta University, Agbor, Dennis Osadebe University in Anwai-Asaba and Delta State University of Science and Technology, in Ozoro. These citadels of higher learning came at a time the state is in dare need of more Universities to cope with admission problems due to surging requests by young Deltans to acquire formal education.
With these Universities to be funded by the state government, the stress occasioned by admission competition have been drastically reduced, and more applicants stand the chance of being admitted to pursue various undergraduate and postgraduate studies, irrespective of their ethnic nationality, tribe or locations within the state.
Governors from other States across the country have been visiting Delta State, to join our platinum governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur, to inaugurate completed projects across the three senatorial districts, a valid proof that this administration giant strides in roads and other infrastructure development attracted and still attracting the attention of other leaders in Nigeria.
The Okpanam axis linking Asaba now have no fewer that 28 network of roads to subdue the vexed erosion problems. No more flooding in Asaba, no matter the downpour due to the underground water storm projects and good road networks with standard drainage system from Asaba to Okpanam town and into River Niger through underground channels.
The ongoing beautification of the capital city of Asaba, is fantastic and if we must tell ourselves the truth, Okowa administration deserve commendation for urban renewal efforts. Salaries are paid as at when due and substantial efforts have been made to pay arrears of pensioners, subject to availability of funds in the face of huge funds needed to spread positive development to the three senatorial districts.
Governor Okowa, in the views and opinions of Deltans is a man of integrity, a promise keeper and a detribalised Deltan, who within a short period of time transformed the state from huge infrastructure deficit to a glowing first choice destination for investors and tourists.
As Chairman of South-South Governors Forum, Gov Okowa is piloting the affairs of the zone with the full support and cooperation of his brother governors to ensure maximum interstate security, improved economy through joint demand for upward review of derivation funds, renewed strategic advocacy for federalism and resource control; and to ensure that the Niger Delta region being the Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs, is not unduly shortchanged by the federal government.
The landmark achievements of governor Okowa has been noised abroad, and world leaders and captains of industry are jostling to partner with him and the state government on a public-private industrialisation synergy, as can be seen from the ongoing projects through bilateral and multilateral cooperation at the Kwale Industrial Park and other ongoing international negotiations.
Public commentators are of the view that within the next two years, Okowa will record greater fit in making the state more viable than he met it in 2015, and in the same token leave a hard to beat good governance records for his successor. Can this view be true beyond 2023? Your guess is as good as mine.
One fact is indisputable, and that is that Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, is an emerging global brand in leadership.
Stronger Delta, Let's Build Together!
