Delta @31: Deltans now more united and feels better benefit of democratic dividends – Okoro

 

As Delta State marks 31st years anniversary of its creation, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural and Community Development, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Okoro, PhD, has felicitated with Deltans, noting that the state government was still very committed to giving Deltans a good standard of living that they truly deserved as citizens of the state.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Comrade Oku Victory, on Saturday, in Asaba, Rt. Hon. Okoro noted that Deltans has become more united than they were when the state was created 31 years ago.

Dr. Okoro, who has been an active politician since 1991, and played an integral role in the take-off of the state as Pioneer Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, stressed that under the watch of His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Deltans are greatly noticing as well as feeling more benefit of the democratic dividends from both the starting SMART to the finishing STRONGER AGENDA of the Okowa's administration.

“On behalf of my family, Members of the Delta State First Assembly, and Office of the Special Adviser on Rural & Community Development, I heartily congratulate all Deltans for their quintessential and astute cooperation with all the successive Governors since the creation of the State till date.

“As Speaker of the State First Assembly, our beloved State which was created on the 27th day of August, 1991 by the Military regime of Gen. Ibrahim B. Babangida, has continued to blossom inspite of the socio-economic, political and security challenges confronting us in the country. 

"Thirty one years ago, Delta State was created and given the prevailing political atmosphere at the time, its creation was, understandably, greeted with cautious optimism.

"Indeed, alot of persons expressed doubt about the future of the new state, given its ethnic plurality and the initial feelings of disappointment among those who felt shortchanged in the process.

"But after 31 years of existence, it is pleasing and satisfying to note that the skepticism has given way to belief, as despair has been replaced by confidence, and suspicion has succumbed to understanding and acceptance. 

"I have enough courage to say that Deltans have come to live as one big, happy family and the State has continued to forge ahead in all indices of human, physical and economic development.

“So as Deltans, we have every reason to be grateful to God, and to celebrate our 31st years anniversary as a State, because we have continued to on the right trajectory to greater development under the watch of His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. 

“Boldly as someone who has witness successive administrations in our dear state since her creation, I can conveniently tell without any equivocation that our Road Master, Governor Okowa is the best we have had in our state, as he is always very ready to deliver on his oath of office which he took earlier in his first and second term at his swearing-in to build a smart and stronger delta.

“Very importantly, Okowa, in the last seven years has done quite a lot in terms of road infrastructure, health infrastructure, school infrastructure and Human Capital Development, even as he has continued to give special attention to Technical education.

"It is also worth mentioning that our women and youths had benefited immensely from the Governor Okowa administration's job creation programmes.

“I have no doubt that at the end of His Excellency's tenure, Deltans will forever live to remember him for his lasting legacies of good governance."

The Special Adviser, however, paid glowing tributes to the past Governors for their immense contributions to the growth and development of the state.

"My appreciation also goes to our past leaders in the persons of Late Olorogun Felix Ibru, Chief James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who have served the state at various times.

"Your ideas, policies, programmes and contributions have helped to raise the profile of Delta State to what it is now.

Dr. Okoro, while concluding, appealed to Deltans to maintain their peaceful coexistence and support for the government.

“Dear Deltans, as we celebrate our dear State on the success so far, there's need for us to maintain our peaceful coexistence in all our dealings, and I also appeal for the continuous support of the policies and programmes of the government.

"I wish everyone God's protection and His wonderful mercies from day to day.”