Delta State, Nigeria: The First family of Delta state, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, the Deputy Governor, and his family, past governors, political appointees across board, and Deltans from all walk of life converged at the Dome event center to mark the one year anniversary of his impactful leadership of the oil rich state.
The historical event kick started with a thanksgiving service held at the Living Faith Church some days earlier, and later culminated with praises and thanksgiving to Almighty God at the Dome event center, Asaba, the state capital.
The event which had all the trappings of a global event, attracted seasoned and prolific gospel artist, ministers of God, business moguls, senior government officials, elected representatives at all levels under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, immediate past governors, and their wives, deputies, Chief Judge of the state, President Customary Court of Appeal, Speaker of the state House of Assembly and many others.
Worthy of mention among these seasoned gospel artist were Mercy Chinwo, Bushi, Frank Edward and many others who thrilled the excited audience with endless soul lifting songs.
In a sermon, former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, lauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for choosing to praise God on his first year anniversary, pointing out that prayer takes believers to God’s gate but praise takes them to His presence.
Papa Oritsejafor, who took his sermon from Psalm 100 Verse 4, told those in position of trust to eIn a welcome address, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Johnson Erijo, said the Delta Praise Day was established by law and urged all Deltans to praise God for all He had used the Governor to do in the last one year.
The Governor in his speech also had so many reasons to thank God for; from the pre and post election 38 cases victories at the Courts below to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Stating further, he said “Deltans are already experiencing the benefits of his leadership”.
“In just one year, many are beginning to feel the impact of the giant strides in the state. The MORE Agenda is not just a slogan but a work plan delivering tangible, people-oriented projects,” the governor remarked. He also highlighted other significant achievements of his administration, like the successful flag off and ongoing construction of three mega flyovers and pedestrian bridges at DSC roundabout, PTI junction and Enerhen junction, massive construction of the Ughelli-Asaba dual roads projects, completion of Emevor-Orogun road, payment of local government pensions, completion of the State High Court complex and several roads projects across the three senatorial districts.
Worthy of mention is the prudent management of state resources as well as strict fiscal discipline on wasteful and frivolous spending of state resources. His timely intervention in the educational and health sector is commendable with increased budget allocations, timely bursary payments and addressing the “Japa Syndrome” with recruitment of skilled medical personnel..
“Additionally, social welfare and empowerment initiatives like the “You Matter Foundation” and MORE GrHe remarked that his administration was already fulfilling his promise to restore the lost glory of Warri and environs, adding that construction giant, Julius Berger, was constructing three flyovers and a Cloverleaf, Interchange in the twin cities of Warri and Effurun.
He said the State Executive Council had terminated the contract for the Warri Township Stadium, pointing out that the contract would soon be re-awarded to a competent firm to give Deltans a world -class stadium.He said: “I have kept faith with the people of Delta State. The fair, objective, and realistic way to judge political leaders is by evaluating them by the promises they made while running for office.
“I promised, while seeking your support during the electioneering campaign, that I will urgently address the issues of unpaid promotion arrears to both serving and retired state public servants and the protracted issue of pension liabilities in the local governments.
“Within three months of assuming office, I fulfilled these promises. Regarding the promotion arrears, we paid over N5.5 billion to 23,887 serving and retired public servants, along with the reinstatement as well as remuneration of promotion arrears for 362 retired officers.
“To the glory of God, the thorny issue of unpaid local government pensions was speedily resolved as promised. My administration helped to secure legislative approval for the local governments to obtain a N40 billion bank loan to enable them liquidate their backlog of pension liabilities.
“The loan, which is guaranteed by the state government, is payable over a five-year period, and will be deducted from the accounts of the local government councils.
“It is worthy of note that, as part of our administration’s desire to fast-track the rebuilding of the city of Warri and environs, we have also completed the reconstruction of Upper and Lower Erejuwa and the Esisi road corridor, even as work on the other adjoining streets is progressing as scheduled.“When these projects are fully completed, they will radically change the landscape of Warri and environs, while tackling the perennial problems of traffic congestion in the axis,” he said.ants have positively impacted numerous Deltans.”
The Governor, also said that the first year of his administration had been a remarkable story of promises made and kept, assuring that better days lay ahead for Deltans in the second year of his government. mbrace praise to God as a weapon to attain breakthrough and overcome challenges.
On security, he said Delta was adjudged the safest state for oil and gas investments in Nigeria in 2024 at an award ceremony sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Abuja, and pledged to continue to partner security agencies to guarantee the continued safety of lives and property of Deltans.
In the area of social welfare, Governor Oborevwori said thousands of Deltans had benefited from the MORE Grant Scheme and D-CARES, and promised to do more.
He added; “our social welfare agenda has been further rejigged with the introduction of our MORE Grant Scheme which was launched about a week ago, with over 5,000 beneficiaries who are mainly petty traders, vulnerable people and the elderly in the state.”
He said so far, the welfare of the state workforce had received uncommon attention through the prompt payment of promotion arrears and other incentives to boost their moral. Governor Oborevwori, who commended his predecessors in office for their support, urged them not to relent in contributing to the growth of the state.
The colourful event climaxed with more soul lifting songs and dancing from other gospel artist.
