By: Ike Philip Abiagom
His Excellency , the executive Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has been inducted into the Urhobo Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the governance of the state. The induction took place during the 93rd Urhobo National Day Celebration 2024/Grand Reception for the Governor held on Saturday, at Urhobo House, Uvwiamuge, Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
At the epochal event, Governor Oborevwori was conferred with the title of “Omorotomo of Urhoboland” by the Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers led by the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1.
The Governor, on the occasion, said the theme of the celebration: “Repositioning the Urhobo Nation For More Prosperity” aligned with the MORE Agenda of his administration, which embodied policy priorities for sustainable social and economic development through accelerated infrastructural renewal, youth development and empowerment, and the promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He said: “I am happy to let you know that through the various platforms of the Delta Action (for) Resilience and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) programme, a total of 203,204 persons have so far been empowered with business support packages.
“Another set of 5,426 persons received cash grants under the MORE Grant Scheme for petty traders, artisans, and female entrepreneurs, while 6,000 farmers were empowered with agricultural inputs to boost agricultural production in the state.
“We have also distributed fertilizers to farmers across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state in support of our drive to grow the family economy and ensure food security for our people.
“This is in addition to the expanded focus on Agriculture under the Result Area 2 – FADAMA (Food Security) of the D-CARES scheme, as well as the release of N1 billion counterpart funding for the Africa Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD), meant to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock and aquaculture.”
Continuing, he said; “we recently introduced the MORE Biz-Up programme to assist a minimum of 2,000 fledgling entrepreneurs who are finding it hard to cope under the harsh effects of the economy.”
Governor Oborevwori thanked the people of Anioma, Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri nations for supporting his election and appealed to Urhobos to unite for the political and social economic development of the Urhobo nation and Delta State in general.
He said his administration had prioritised key infrastructural projects like Ayakoromo bridge and Trans-Warri Roads and bridges to fast-track their completion.
The Governor urged the Urhobo nation to continue to function as one big, happy and united family, saying; “as individuals, we may have our political differences but we must, nevertheless, stand resolute in ensuring that the interest of our people, the state, and the nation comes first in all our actions and utterances.
“That is why, as Governor, I have maintained cordial relations with elected and appointed public officials of other political parties. I believe that we can disagree without being disagreeable, and learn to separate politics from governance.
“This attitude of tolerance, mutual understanding, and cooperation is imperative for peace and sustainable development.”
He appealed to parents to pay more attention to the training of their children and be good role models to them.
According to him, “As goes the family, so goes the nation. The get-rich-quick mentality of today’s youths is symptomatic of a breakdown in the family unit.
“I, therefore, call on our parents to step up to the plate and take this Biblical injunction seriously for the sake of our collective prosperity and future safety.
“It is also my desire and earnest expectation that Urhobos in diaspora will channel their investments home to complement the efforts of the government to create jobs for our teeming youth population and drive inclusive economic growth.”
Governor Oborevwori also used the occasion to condole the people of Okuama, in Ughelli South Local Government Area over the unfortunate passing of their President- General, Pa James Oghorokor, recently in military custody, over the Okuama crisis.
He said the State Government had sent a delegation to sympathize with the family and the community, adding that the Army authorities were in contact with the State Government.
Oborevwori said; “As a government, we are saddened by this unfortunate development and we extend our profound condolences to the deceased family and the entire Okuama community.
“We are in touch with the Army authorities and we will ensure that an autopsy is conducted to unravel the cause of his death. I will like to also assure that the autopsy report will be made public.”
In his remarks, Chairman on the occasion, Olorogun John Oguma, congratulated UPU on its 93rd anniversary and commended Governor Oborevwori for his outstanding accomplishments in the governance of the state.
He urged the people to rally round the Governor to achieve his administration’s MORE Agenda and to return him for a second term in 2027.
The President-General of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, (Worldwide), Olorogun Ese Gam Owe, in his welcome address, paid glowing tribute to past leaders of the UPU for their contributions to the growth and development of the Urhobo nation.
Gam Owe thanked Governor Oborevwori for the State Contributory Health Scheme and for providing free health care services to Deltans and lauded the Governor for the ongoing construction of flyovers in Warri and Effurun and for other projects in Sapele, other parts of Urhobo nation and Delta State in general.
Representatives of the Itsekiri, Isoko and Ijaw nations, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Professor Chris Akpotu and Professor Ben Okaba, congratulated the Urhobo nation on their 93rd anniversary celebration and for honouring Governor Oborevwori.
They commended Governor Oborevwori for the unprecedented development and for his sterling performance across the nooks and crannies of the state, stressing that every local government area in the state was being touched across all sectors of the state economy.
They pledged to support his administration beyond 2027.
The 2024 Urhobo Day celebration was attended by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor; the member Representing Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency, Hon. Francis Waive; Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi; the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo; the President of Ijaw National Congress, Professor Ben Okaba, and the President of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Professor Chris Akpotu, among other dignitaries.
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Ogujiuba who was accompanied by Chief Ambrose Elofu Dike,Chief Victor Ifeanyi Nwodo and other top management of Gateway Parks Limited,paid a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba in his palace in Asaba, Delta State, further said the ascension of His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Azinge on the throne was a sign of possibilities for the country.
Chief Ogujiuba said the waterfront development is the kind of development the world is looking at today and that God has given Asaba the location and a very wonderful place, because of the water, the islands and the terrain. So, we want to do something beautiful in Asaba. The largest market in the world will be developed in Asaba, It’s not the normal lock up shops, but there are going to be 35 Malls containing 22,000 shops. It’s going to be the biggest shopping arcade in the world. It will have its own river port so that goods can come in straight and get into the market without trucking. We’re going to have 1,000 Housing Units developed there.
It’s a brand new City with Amusement Parks, Hotels, Hospitals and all the trappings of a City. By the grace of God, construction will kick of very soon and it would create employment for Asaba and Delta State. We’re looking at 40,000 jobs during construction and about 12-1,000 post construction jobs.
This Project is going to change the narratives and the story-line of Delta State. This project will put Asaba on the map of the world, because its going to be about the biggest private development that’s going to happen in West Africa, the environment of Asaba, the landscape and everything about Asaba and Delta State.
Responding, HRM Obi Azinge, thanked Gateway Parks Limited management for the honour and insights, adding that Chief Frank Ogujiuba
Asagba Arzinge said that he is a strong defender of Asaba interest and in everything Asaba stand first and will always like to know where the interest of his people is located in anything happening in Asaba land and that he will never equivocate on that because Asaba is his primary constituency and he came to throne committed to protect and promote the interest of Asaba people.
“This city of Asaba is not ordinary city in both historical and modern times, Asaba has always been seen as the major commercial and the fastest growing economic state capital in West Africa and the melting pot of diverse tribes and culture,”
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At the reception held at the Sheba Event Centre, Lagos, the Special Guest of Honour Dr Gabriel Ogbechie, congratulated the couple on their successful marriage and urged them to love one another to ensure longevity of their union.
Many are now looking forward to the main wedding ceremony coming up this weeks.
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According to Senator Nwaoboshi, “I extend my warmest congratulations to His Royal Majesty,Epiphany Azinge, the Asagba of Asaba Kingdom, on the occasion of his presentation of the staff of office by the Delta State Government.
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Governor Oborevwori admitted that it was the responsibility of his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, to make the presentation, congratulated the Asagba on his successful ascension to the throne of his forebears.He noted that Asagba Azinge reign was coming at a time Asaba was witnessing an influx of non indigene due to the peaceful atmosphere the state capital had come to be identified with and the infrastructure upgrade thar had taken place in recent times
Oborevwori said one of his administration’s goals was to make the state a safe haven to investors, stressing the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure that communities and urban centres were safe and secure for domestic and foreign investors.
He said: “I note with pleasure that Asaba has become the city of choice for many people who find it a safe place to raise their families.
“Hence, you must remain vigilant and alert to any form of security threat that will destabilise the kingdom, and, by implication, the state capital.
“This charge is also applicable to all the traditional rulers in the state and their subjects, for the sustenance of peace and security.
“Towards this end, everything must be done to avoid inter- and intra-communal clashes. It is important that our traditional institution maintains a regular interface with the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council for effective strategies to contain any emerging security threat. This is the pathway to building the Delta State of our dreams.”
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Speaking at the event, Senator Aguariavwodo expressed that the Delta State Government would continue to work closely with the ACNPN, emphasizing that the administration is committed to strengthening the partnership with community-based media outlets. He further reassured the association that the government would remain supportive of their efforts to serve the public and promote local issues. “Governor Oborevwori believes in the power of community newspapers to drive change and empower the people. As such, we will continue to provide support and collaborate with your esteemed association in no small measure,” he said.
In his remarks, Aguariavwodo highlighted the importance of community media as a vital tool for nation-building, noting that it offers a platform for disseminating information that directly impacts the daily lives of the people. He encouraged the publishers to keep up the good work, stressing that their role in shaping public discourse and holding both the government and citizens accountable cannot be overstated.
The event also marked a moment of reflection on the leadership of the outgoing Chairman of the ACNPN Delta State Council, Comrade Jude Obiemenyego.
Senator Aguariavwodo commended Obiemenyego for his exemplary leadership and his contributions to the growth of the association. “Comrade Obiemenyego has done an exceptional job in steering the affairs of the Community Newspaper Publishers, and we acknowledge his tireless work over the years,” said Aguariavwodo. He also promised that the Governor would continue to collaborate with the new leadership of the ACNPN, ensuring that the association remains a key partner in Delta State’s media landscape.
Speaking further, he performed the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected executive members of Association of Community Newspapers Publishers of Nigeria, (ACNPN ), Delta State Council and charged them to uphold the constitution of the Association.
Governor Oborevwori further advised the new executive led by Comrade Ike Philip Abiagom to justify the confidence reposed on them by building on the legacies of the outgone Chairman. He noted that Government will continue to support Community Newspapers in the State as they are partners promoting good governance for the betterment of Deltans.
He encouraged Publishers to be resilient and focused in reporting issues affecting rural communities.
The highlight of the event was a lecture titled *”The Imperative of Cooperative Societies, it’s Impact on Nigeria Economic Growth ‘delivered by Pastor Idowu Okeze and The Incessant Killings in the Country: Building Synergy Between the Government and the Grassroots for Effective Remedy,also delivered by ACP Alex Udeze of the Asaba Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force. ACP Udeze’s lecture focused on the troubling issue of violent crimes and insecurity in the country, with an emphasis on how a collaborative approach between the government, law enforcement, and the grassroots could help address the root causes of violence.
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