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Stand-Up For Women Society Conducts Training In Business Skills For Women In Asaba IDPs Camp

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Hill Nigeria
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By Patrick Ochei

As defenders and restorers of the dignity of women, the Stand-Up For Women Society (SWS), Delta State Chapter has yet again, taken up the initiative of conducting husiness trainings for women in the Internally Displaced Persons Camps across Delta State.

This programme was today, Thursday 27th October, 2022, flagged off at the Ogbe-Afor IDPs Camp in Asaba, with a charge that the women should look beyond their present predicament of hopelessness by seeing an opportunity that would launch them into an unimaginable position of comfort in life.

Speaking to them motivationally before the commencement of the programme, the State Chairperson of SWS and Functioning Permanent Secretary in the State Orientation Bureau, Mrs. Stella Macaulay told the women not to be depressed about their present circumstance orchestrated by the flood disaster that ravaged their homes and farmlands, asking them to instead, look up to God for help and direction.

Macaulay who intermittently sang and danced with the women, encouraged them to see opportunity in their coming to the camp to seek refuge and relief, maintaining that in the mindset of God, every disappointment is a blessing.

She told them that the SWS was in the camp not only to train them on skills required to begin life again after the camp, she assured them of Empowerment that can enable them to start little after the camp experience.

Her words, “In our 365 days of impact as a group, we have been able to truly bridge the gap between the women folk and the men folk in terms of creating mindset reorientation in women to realise their potentials and strive towards fulfilling their purpose on earth.

“Because of the aggressive nature of men, a lot of women are laid back in contributing their quota to the growth and development of society. However, if only the society can allow the women the opportunity to make contributions towards economic and political value system of our country, they will surely excel and perform optimally.

“This programme is put together to alleviate the suffering of the women in the circle of those affected by the flood, by way of putting smiles in their faces and reassuring them of God’s intervention in their case.

“We have discovered the enormous benefits of engaging in dry season farming – a situation where plants are harvested between 3-4 months and can be done twice in a circle of one year. We know that majority of these women are farmers and now heartbroken by the disaster caused them by the flood. Our agenda here is to engage them as they prepare to return to base, so as to upscale to other businesses and still do farming that they can benefit from during rainy and dry seasons without always developing hypertension that flood is going to come to flush away their crops. And that is why we have brought experts in various areas of farming and skills, to impart in them the requisite knowledge to drive their future in the midst of surmountable predicaments”, Macaulay posited.

Further evaluating the acceptance of the message by the women, the group’s Chairperson told newsmen that from the sequence of the event, the local dialect was extensively used to drive down the orientation and training for easy communication, adding that “I am sure they appreciate this effort by their responses, which to me is a perfect feedback.

“These skills will help them to productively engage themselves as they begin life again after the flood”, she stressed.

Macaulay insisted that fund does not pose challenge to her in carrying out her functions as a humanitarian service oriented NGO, maintaining that the focus of SWS wouldn’t let her deter in meeting the needs of majority of traumatised and less privileged women in the society.

She gave a brief background of the achievements of SWS since inauguration in Delta State, scoring the group excellently in tangible performances.

Macaulay hinted that the group’s Live Programme for Adolescents and Youths (LPAY) had helped it to professionally educate the children on what they can do to minimise the effect of social vices on them while making positive effort to become better through imbibing the requisite values and morals for their future benefits.

She equally talked of how the group had rendered psychosocial support to a young lady who got pregnant through rape and almost committed suicide, adding that SWS came in to assist her rehabilitate among other cases the group had been rendering rehabilitations to.

“We have a platform for Real Women Conversation where lots of women who had abi initio bottled up their pains and sorrows are now beginning to speak up. So many of them had even slided into trauma and depression, majorly as a result of rape and domestic violence. Meanwhile, our coming into their lives has helped to open them up to discuss those issues that bothered them.

“The fact that the IDPs are alive means that God is not through with them yet. And the fact remains that they need as much help as they can get. This knowledge we are imparting in them is key and surely, the Empowerment that will come to them will further encourage them not to start recounting their pains”, Macaulay explained.

However, the training sessions had Mr. Kalu I. Kalu teaching the women the benefits of snail farming and of course, the economic values of crops like pawpaw and coconut.

Of much interest was that the woman who invented Zobo drink in Nigeria, Mrs. Rebecca Isagba was there to teach them how to make Zobo, while Miss Patrick Lynde Oluomachukwu (makers of Richlyn soap products) also brought her expertise in soap making to bear, for the benefit of the IDPs.

They also learnt how to make pof-pof and other snacks from Teggy Tag Confectionaries, and both the trainer and the trainees ended up making enough for majority in the camp to feed from.

In a nutshell, the Camp Commandant, Mr. Okpor Daniel was pleased with the humanitarian gesture by the Stand-Up For Women Society, thereby commending them for their selfless humanity towards the IDPs, especially the women among them.

He prayed that God would continue to replenish the purse of the NGO to continue to bring succour to the hopeless and sorrowful with a view to creating a society of lovely and peaceful people.

Nonetheless, one Mrs. Maria Okelue thanked the Stand-Up For Women Society for their selfless concern on behalf of the IDPs, however, appealing to other relevant agencies to come to their aid to enable them return back happily to farming.

Okowa Presents N561.8bn Budget For 2023

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta State Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has presented an Appropriation Bill of N561.82 billion for 2023 to the state’s House of Assembly.

Christened “Budget of Seamless and Stable Transition”, the governor told the lawmakers that the Bill was made up of N326.6 billion for Capital Expenditure and N235.2 billion for Recurrent Expenditure.

He said that capital expenditure constituted 58 per cent of the Budget while 42 per cent represented recurrent expenditure, and announced that the allocations were targeted at completion of all ongoing projects and new projects in critical areas of needs.

The governor explained that N172 billion, representing 53 per cent of the capital budget, was allocated to the economic sector while N70.5 billion was allocated to the social sector; the administration sector got 13.34 billion and regional sector, N64.2 billion.

“In 2023, we propose to spend N111.4 billion on Works, N5.9 billion for Urban Renewal – Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, N8.3 billion and Warri-Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, N8 billion.

“Others include N12.4 billion on Health; Education, N42.6 billion; Trade and Investment, N8.6 billion; Sports N8.4 billion; Culture and Tourism, N2.7 billion and Housing, N10 billion.

“In order to continue tackling unemployment by creating jobs and wealth for our youths, the sum of N4.3 billion has been earmarked for our model entrepreneurship development programmes, notably STEP, YAGEP, RYSA, GEST, WESAP and ICT Youth Empowerment Programme,” he said.

Okowa disclosed that the budget, which was derived from the state’s ‪2023-2025 FSP/MTEF, was anchored on crude oil production benchmark of 1.69 million barrels per day, oil price of 70 dollars per barrel, exchange rate of N435.57 per dollar, National Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 3.75 per cent and 17.16 per cent national inflation rate.

“The economy faces headwinds from fiscal instability arising from huge debt overhang, runaway inflation, massive exchange rate depreciation, record-high subsidy costs, high interest rates, insecurity, and food crisis.

“Notwithstanding the persistently challenging external conditions, it is incumbent on the leadership to address the socio-economic needs of our people and ensure that their legitimate aspirations are realised.

“To successfully do that requires that we must be conscious of the decisions we make and guided by the obligation to carefully weigh every available option in the light of our fiscal realities vis-à-vis the demands of good governance,’’ he stated.

Welcoming the governor to the House of Assembly’s chamber earlier, the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, lauded him for the giant strides recorded by his administration in infrastructure and human capital development since 2015.

Oborevwori, who is the Governorship Candidate of the PDP in the 2023 general elections, said that Okowa’s model entrepreneurship development programmes had rescued many youths and women from unemployment and underemployment.

He urged all Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to buckle up for the defence of their budget proposals before the Standing Committees of the House.

Motion to accept the Appropriation Bill for consideration was later moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Ferguson Onwo and was seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Innocent Anidi.

The lawmakers also approved a motion, slating the second reading of the Bill for Nov. 2, 2022 after earlier adopting the acceptance of the fiscal proposal as its first reading.

 

 

 

 

We’ll Sustain Commitment To Growth Of Commerce – Okowa

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that his administration would sustain its commitment to providing needed environment that would stimulate the growth of commercial activities in the state.

Okowa, who disclosed this while inaugurating the regional branch of Providus Bank on Thursday in Asaba, said the state government would continue to work hard to ensure that there was peace and security in Asaba and other parts of the state.

He said that the influx of commercial banks in the state was a healthy development, and reiterated that his administration would continue to do the needful to ensure that businesses thrived in the state.

According to him, the growth in the number of commercial banks in the state capital was a sign that the economy of the state was booming and needed to be tapped into by investors.

While expressing delight over the establishment of Providus Bank in the state, the governor lauded management of the bank for all its previous interventions in schools and at the General Hospital in Ibusa, and expressed hope that more interventions would be made with the establishment of the bank in Asaba.

“We have continued to hear about Providus Bank but today, we have you sited here in Asaba. And, it is not just a branch as you have already told us that it is a regional branch that would cover this whole catchment area.

“Not too long ago, we had the Premium Trust Bank sited here in Asaba inaugurated and today we have the Providus Bank.

“We are happy as a state because, the more banks you have, the more banking and support services you have both as a business community and also for the government of a state.

“It is also a sign that the economy in the particular place where the branches are sited is actually booming economies that can be tapped into.

“And, to that extent, you are helping us to judge or to have a true assessment of the impact of our governance in the state capital.

“We have several banks in the state capital here and in the last few years, a lot of businesses have moved in. Even, a lot of our brothers from across the Niger now live here and go to Onitsha for their businesses.

“This is because, over time, Asaba has become very peaceful. The environment has become so welcoming and people are comfortable to bring up their kids here because of the various institutions provided,” he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Walter Akpani, had said that the bank which was licensed for commercial banking operation in 2016, had 13 branches nationwide, adding that four new branches would be established soon.

Akpani disclosed that the Asaba branch would serve as a regional hub of the bank, pointing out that the mission of the bank was to help businesses prosper across the country.

He commended the Okowa administration for providing the necessary ambience that had stimulated the growth of businesses in the state, and stated that the track record of the bank was not just to support businesses but institutions.

Oborevwori, Test and Trusted For Good Governance, Says Abanum

By
Hill Nigeria
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…As Artisans Rejoices With Him On Supreme Court Victory

Chairman, Delta State Artisan Association, Chief Ifeanyi Abanum, has described the flagbearer if the People’sDemocratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori as a man test and trusted in the delivery of good governance.

Abanum made this known while speaking with our reporter in Asaba, the state capital.

He said Rt. Hon. Oborevwori’s  effective leadership of the state House of Assembly as Speaker for the past seven years and peaceful administration was a testimony of his capacity given the opportunity to run as governor of the state, come 2023 general election.

According to him, the recent verdict by the supreme Court was well deserved.

He said his quality leadership was reasons why  Artisans in the state, had earlier endorsed him and would always queue behind him in the coming election.

While frowning at the foul language used by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo  Agege  towards the state government, adding that as the DSP and a Deltan he had not in anyway contributed towards the development of the state.

He advised other members of the Party to come on board in delivery the governorship candidate, adding that PDP was one big family.

 

 

 

Civil Society Appeals For More Palliatives To IDPs

By
Hill Nigeria
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In line with the current threat to lives and properties, the flood disaster has caused  one third of the communities in Delta State, the Delta State Civil Society has solicited for relief materials and other supplies to the affected victims.

The President, Delta State Civil Society Community, Dr. Martins Kedienhon made the appeal during a press briefing on the current flood disaster, in Asaba.

He called for more food  and relief materials to the inmates in the  various camps as they had earlier request for more foods and toiletries during our visit to the camps.

While calling on private sectors, international donors and well to do individuals to send relief materials and food to this displaced persons in the camp, he said that due to the increased number of displaced persons, there was need for more donations to IDP camps.

Sympathizing with those that lost their loved ones, farms and properties to the flood, he also commended those that continuously risk their lives for the sake of the peoples wellbeing

 He reiterated that sensitization was continuous and advised the general public to reach out to them  through their opening of more IDP camps in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Warri South and other local Government areas that are affected by the flood.

The President said that the society being key players in ensuring that Government and other stakeholders act and redress grievances and bridge gaps  on intervention and amplify the collective voice of the people especially those at risk of being left behind, had set up a Civil Society situation room for citizens, where critical details are captured.

He commended all who had helped the flood victims either in their trapped locations  and in the IDPs camps.

The leadership of the society,  also called on the camp Commandants of the various IDPs for fair and  even in the distribution  of relief materials provided for the victims and to intensify severity issues in order to prevent gender based violence in camp.

He also added that education was on going in the camp which has been 76 by the state Government, we also call for more skill acquisition training which will help prevent post-flood school dropouts.

He said that in improving their mental health,  reduce the impact of economic hardship and the rate of unemployment during and after the flood disaster, the Organisation will continue to collaborate with relevant, related MDAs, Private Sector and international community to build, develop skills, fill-in the knowledge gaps, engage in trainings and any other ventures such as sensitization, Health talk, Gender based violence issues and safety in camp, Environmental challenges, Business development, Soft skills and Entrepreneurship.

League of Like Minds Intl Club Showers IDPs With Love

By
Hill Nigeria
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… Promises To Revisit Inmates With More gifts

In an effort to ameliorate the plight of Internally Display Persons ravaged by the recent  flooding in Delta State, the League of Like Minds International Club has donated food items,  toiletries to inmates in Ogbeafor camp in Oshimili South Local Government Area.

This was made known during a visit to the IDP camp in Asaba, the state capital.

The Chairman of the Club, Amb. Valentine Chukwuma said the body was pained considering the impact of the flood on  the lives of the inmates, stressing that they decided to contribute their quota to the inmates by providing them succour.

According to him “the body is a group of like minds from every strata of the society, who decides to support them fully.

He said the donation came as a result  of the conception by one of their member, Mr Charles Omordia who saw the need for the club to extend gesture to the IDPs in the camp.

The Chairman promised to look into their request of providing clothing as most of them had lost their properties to the flood, stressing that the gesture would make them forget their loss.

On his part, image maker of the club Olorogun Dr Austin Akpede said they considered it necessary to bring aid to those who were challenged as a result of the ravaging flood, hence they put resources together to assist the inmates

Reacting to their need on clothing Akpede promised that in no distance time the camp would be visited.

While receiving the items on behalf of the camp commandant, the Red Cross official, Mrs Ada Monye, commended them  for their kind-heartedness, adding that the items would go a long way to satisfy the inmates.

While commending the Club members for the massive gift items, ranging from diapers, bags of foreign rice, cartons of Indomie noodles, bathing sponges, slippers, toothbrushes, toothpastes, cartons of detergents, cartons of tissue amongst others,  she also appealed for clothings to enable the inmates have wares to put on.

 

APM Candidate For Delta State House Of Assembly, Sir Okonji Receives Royal Blessing From Omu Anioma

By
Hill Nigeria
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By Patrick Ochei

The candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) for Delta State House of Assembly, Oshimili North State Constituency and Omelora of Ibusa, Sir Dr. Felix Okonji has paid a consultative visit to Omu Anioma, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu where he received a Royal Blessing ahead of the 2023 general election.

Omu Dunkwu who commended the politician for his widely acknowledged philanthropic gestures, wished him well in his political journey to represent the people of Oshimili North Local Government Area at the State Parliament.

She said that the nation needs people of proven integrity and mental capacity to drive the political leadership of the country from the coming election, maintaining that we have lagged behind for too long in developmental leadership.

Omu Anioma gave her blessing to Sir Okonji, praying and declaring that it’s a season of contest and not a season of death; and so therefore, no Anioma son or daughter in the race for any political office would kill or be killed.

She posited that her stand as a mother is for Anioma sons and daughters in the political race of 2023, to play by the rule without harbouring any intentions to kill another.

Her words, “I pray that no death will near you. I pray that nobody will kill you and you will not kill anybody either, intentionally or unintentionally. I pray that evil that beclouds politics will be far from you, you will only excel and emerge victorious just as you have desired.

“Our God Almighty and our great Ancestors will guide you, protect you and direct you in all your endeavours during campaigns, election and even after election. The peace of God will always go with you and you will always conquer the forces of darkness”, Omu Dunkwu declared.

Earlier in his address to Omu Dunkwu by way of stating his mission, Sir Okonji eulogized her for her sterling leadership qualities and impeccable mentoring personality, positing that his long dream of meeting with her had finally come to fruition.

He said, “We are humble and loyal to your authority as our mother, and that is why we have come to consult with you and to seek your blessings ahead of our campaigns.

“You are indeed Nneoha with matchless power and authority. Your open door policy is unimaginable.

“I am a child of history, and having followed your activities over the years, I make bold to ascribe the best of virtues to you as far as motherhood is concerned. We cannot continue our political journey without your motherly blessings and advice.

“My party – the Allied People’s Movement may be small, but my followers are not small. Together, we are strong as men of proven faith and integrity, who are launching out their best potentials for the good of society. It’s our utmost desire to change the narrative in order for the system to run unfettered quality representation and good governance for our people, both old and young.

“I want to stand for Oshimili North people in this contest for the House of Assembly, to ensure that they get all their rights from the system. We are not just coming out as novices in people oriented leadership; we are coming out because we have our antecedents that can be verified and attested to. If the people remember my antecedents, they will support me.

“We must all agree that 2023 must be different. Seeing the Youth Movements and the eagerness in the people for a change, you will know that our time for the people’s leadership has come.

“God Himself is involved in this. And of course, the structured Government and the structured politicians know that with your support and everybody’s cooperation, we will stand firm to speak truth to power and of course, the truth that can only liberate us all.

“Let me assure you that women and children must have their pride of places in our agenda. We must put control mechanisms in place to ensure adequate security of our people; we must not allow outsiders to overwhelm us and overrun us with insecurity.

“Your Majesty, as the Omelora who has achieved in life and has helped where help was needed, I am assuring you that my foray into the race is to serve on a larger scale. Leadership by service is what I have come down to Nigeria to render to my people. Thank you ma for your usual support and confidence that you have always reposed in us for quality and honesty”, Okonji submitted.

Emotional Omu Anioma Recounts Life’s Journey At 67

By
Hill Nigeria
-

By Patrick Ochei

It was indeed a memorable day as the cerebral and amiable Omu Okpanam/Omu Anioma/Nneoha, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu recounted her life’s journey with tears of joy on the 19th October, 2022.

The Omu Anioma who clocked 67 on this day, was taken by surprise as her children and mentees woke her up with music and dancing conducted by the voice of Emma Sax.

Dancing emotionally with this group of people to the site of the Royal Residence being constructed for her by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and then back to the Palace, Omu Dunkwu took time to recount her journey of life.

She revealed that she was born by poor parents and was taken away by a relation at age two, adding that she returned as a big girl during the war where people had to point her parents and their thatched house to her.

She stated that having seen the pauperised state of her parents, she therefore, determined to succeed in life to lift her family out of poverty.

Omu Dunkwu affirmed that her determination as a clerical staff with the Ministry of Finance in Bendel State, took her to England and America to further her studies.

She said she returned to Nigeria over 38 years ago, was able to build her parents a house at the age of 25, trained her siblings who are all doing well presently outside the shores of Nigeria and was able to build a consultancy business that had managed the image of the Oba of Benin of blessed memory and other top Nigerians.

Omu Dunkwu said she dreamt of joining politics to contribute to leadership through politics but was interrupted by the call to become an Omu.

However, before then, she had risen through dint of hardwork to become the first female president of Asaba Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ASACCIMA) and then first female president of Delta State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DELCCIMA). She didn’t stop there but rose to become the pioneer Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and currently holds the position of Life Vice President of NACCIMA.

The woman with the most deliberate philosophical slogan “Image Is Everything”, has indeed brought visibility into the ancient institution of Omu since becoming the Omu of Okpanam over two decades ago and Omu Anioma over 12 years now.

According to her, “I have done my best, I have been patriotic enough all these years, to the effect that I dedicated my life and resources to the growth and development of my community and of course, Anioma Nation. I promoted the institution of Omu and Anioma Culture in a way that no one else had done. I brought renaissance into our tradition and culture.

“In doing these, I faced monumental opposition and challenges. I didn’t look back because I represent the forces of light, which will in perpetuity defeat the forces of darkness.

“I make bold to state that God has always given me victory, because He has seen my heart and my purpose. I am not deterred because what I do is a physical manifestation of a spiritual conclusion”, Omu Dunkwu posited.

Speaking further, Obi Martha Dunkwu specifically appreciated a number of persons who have supported him in prayers, finance, media publicity and others.

She thanked the mother of the Minority Leader and Member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Mama Elumelu for her prayers and motherly support.

The Omu profusely thanked Ndudi Elumelu who had commenced the building of the Omu Residence for her through his constituency projects, maintaining that the gesture was marvelous to him.

She also thanked the Director General of Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi for visiting and taking up the responsibility of painting the entire Omu Palace for her, praying to God to continue to embolden her in her political journey.

Not stopping there, Omu Dunkwu sent a message of prayer to Brig. Gen. Raymond Nani Ochei for being an illustrious son of Anioma who never fails to show concern to her person in times of need.

Furthermore, Omu Dunkwu eulogized her Abuja based god-daughter and renowned lawyer, Barr. Juachi Adaeze Ezete for her affection and quantum of love always expressed in giving without restraint.

For Comrade Mrs. Stella Macaulay, Omu Anioma described her as a wonderful daughter who has continued to make her proud in all ramifications. Same accolades went to Ogbuenyi High Chief Paul Eloke Uduh and wife, and of course, Chief (Mrs) Josephine Ada Kachikwu for their undiluted affection and support all these years.

It was indeed a great day as Omu Dunkwu cut her birthday cake dancing to the ‘buga’ song. The event was sumptuously put together by the Functioning Permanent Secretary in the State Bureau of Orientation, Comrade Mrs. Stella Macaulay, an Abuja based lawyer, Barr. Adaeze Ezete, NUJ Delta State Council’s Secretary, Comrade Patrick Ochei and Ogbuenyi and Mrs. Uduh.

Others who attended the occasion included the Omu of Obior, HRH Omu Onyebuchibe Okonkwo, the Founder of the Courageous Girls, Women and Children Initiative, Ayovuata Courage Uyoyou and crew, NUJ Delta State Council’s Auditor, Comrade Celestine Afokobah, GM of Bridge Radio, Comrade Gospel Amaliamifeobu, Mr. and Mrs. Tony and others too numerous to mention.

S’Court Victory- Distractions Put To Rest

By
Hill Nigeria
-


… As Pascal Adigwe Congratulates Oborevwori

The Director General of Ned Nwoko Campaign Organization, Hon. Pascal Adigwe has described the affirmation of the flag bearer of the Delta State People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori as a platform to greater unity in the state.


Adigwe made this known while speaking with our reporter in Asaba, shortly after the declaration of the victory.


He said the latest affirmation would put all distraction and misconception of the Party as been disunited to rest.


Hon. Adigwe called on all aggrieved members of PDP to join hands with Oborevwori in ensuring a more united state.


He said that with the support of all Party members, the victory at the 2023 general election poll would be a work over.

 

S’Court Verdict: Test For Greater Responsibility, Okowa Charges Oborevwori

By
Hill Nigeria
-

Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday, charged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the state, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to see his victory at the Supreme Court as a test of his preparedness for greater responsibilities in governance.

Okowa who is the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave the charge in Asaba, at a special thanksgiving service to appreciate God for the resolution of the party’s gubernatorial candidacy of the party in the state by the apex court.

He noted that it was God who saw the gubernatorial candidate through the difficult stages of the court process, adding that he should always put God first in all his dealings.

“I am happy that I am present at this thanksgiving because I was away at the last one and I give all the glory to God for this.

“I must thank all of you for coming to rejoice with the Speaker and also for coming to rejoice with me, my family and the entire PDP family in Delta State.

“Whatever has been happening in the last few weeks is a test of our faith. And I thank God that you have stayed alive and that you have stayed hopeful in God,” he said.

The governor urged Oborevwori to be magnanimous in victory by carrying everybody along in the scheme of things, and appealed to members of PDP in the state to put their differences aside and work together for the collective interest of the party.

“We give thanks to God. One joy I have in my heart is that from the beginning, I knew that it was a battle of the altar, and I remained confident in God.

“There are many things that happen sometimes you almost begin to shake. But I know that since 2015, we have always prayed.

“And, I have always said that if any Governor is coming here and would not glorify the name of God in Heaven, Lord do not create a path way for that governor to come.

“This place is the altar of God; so, the altar in this Government House Chapel must remain alive. I pray that each and everyone of us will find the God that is in this altar because He is alive.

“As I congratulate Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his wife, the greatest joy you can give to me is that when you eventually get sworn in, you must make sure that the fire in this altar remains aglow,” he said.

Okowa said that his vice-presidential ambition would not in anyway hamper the developmental agenda of his administration, and called on Deltans to rally round him in advancing the Stronger Delta vision.

He lauded politicians and civil servants in the state for their input and sustained support towards the Stronger Delta vision, emphasising that there was need for them to redouble efforts in taking the state to a greater height.

The governor used the forum to call on Deltans to extend hands of fellowship to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are in 11 camps across the state as a result of flood that had wreaked havoc in parts of the state, affirming that his administration would spare no effort in making IDPs comfortable in the camps.

“I want to thank all of you who have been holding forth in the state, both politically and the government. I have not abandoned my duties, I am only on a multiple assignment.

“I thank those who have been very strong down here in the state and kept the government running, especially those who have been handling the people in the IDPs’ camps.

“I was happy to see that they are well taken care of when I visited them. I thank the SSG and his team and all those who have supported the state government by donating foodstuffs and other materials,” Okowa added.

In an interview with journalists shortly after the victory thanksgiving service, the PDP gubernatorial candidate and Speaker of the State Legislature, Oborevwori, said that his victory at the apex court was for all Deltans, adding that there was no victor, no vanquished.

He said that the litigation that ended up at the Supreme Court was a family affair, and expressed hope that all the actors in the case and their supporters would soon join forces to enhance the electoral fortunes of PDP in the state and in the country.

“First of all, we have God, so we were sure of victory and this victory is for all of us in Delta State. I believe that my brothers on the other side will come and join us as a family in no distant time.

“And, I want to say with all due respect, that nobody is good enough to be my enemy neither do I have the ability to hate anybody. So, we are one as a family,” Oborevwori said.

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