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| Governor Okowa stepping out to take salute at the match past. |
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged Nigerians to
rekindle hope in the nation as they celebrate its 59th Independence
anniversary.
He made the call on Tuesday at the celebration in Asaba.
According to the governor, all over the world, countries are
facing different challenges; we should therefore, face these challenges
squarely and not allow them defeat us as a people.
He said: “Let us rekindle our hope, redouble our fervent prayers
and supplication to God to see us through the numerous trials and unite us more
than ever before.
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| Okowa exchanging pleasantries with Minority Leader of the House of Reps, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu. |
"Our declarations should be positive both for leaders and
the country; that way, we will have positive confirmation that the heavenly
Father will grant our prayers.
“I appeal to all Deltans and indeed, all Nigerians, to rekindle
their faith in a united country and in the continuous protection of democracy
as the only viable system of governance, which is already bringing sustainable
development to our nation in spite of obvious challenges.
"I wish to assure Deltans that government will not shirk
its responsibilities to its citizens as we shall at all times, conscientiously
pursue what is in the best interest of the State and according to the
provisions of our Constitution.
“At 59, if we are to make further progress and follow the speed
of sustainable development across the globe as a united people, we need to
check our emphasis on regional, ethnic and religious divides."
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| Match past at the independence anniversary celebration in Asaba. |
Okowa called for concerted effort by all to foster growth and
development in every part of the country.
He said that Nigerians let us look at themselves and share a
sense of belonging as members of one family.
"Fifty-nine years in the life of any human being or entity
is a remarkable point to acknowledge and take stock.
"I, therefore, salute our past and present leaders whose
foresight and sacrifice brought us the independence, which we are celebrating.
"I also salute our people, especially Deltans, who over the
years, made sacrifices to ensure that our country remains united and committed
to the path of democracy.
“As a government, we have maintained a steady focus on the
economy of the State with a view to promoting prosperity and public-
private-partnership in economic development.
"The State government has expended considerable resources
towards improving basic infrastructure notably roads, drainages, healthcare,
electricity, schools, bridges, housing, urban renewal and portable water
supply.
"This administration is determined to sustain this
trend. It is however, doubtful if government alone can do all.
"Accordingly, this administration is exploring private
sector participation in the overall development of the State.
“So far, we have laid the foundation for a critical mass of
skills for entrepreneurship and business development.
" Over 20,000 persons benefited from our flagship Skills
Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Youth Agricultural
Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and similar programmes undertaken by Ministries
of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Commerce and Industry, Women Affairs,
including Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development
Agency," the governor said.
He appealled to beneficiaries of the schemes to avoid selling
off the empowerment tools handed over to them by the government at the end of
their trainings.
According to him, such an act defeats the purpose of creating a
group of determined SME operators who will turn the State’s and country’s
economies around.
"It is expected that the progress they make can and should
be the envy of those who opt for white collar jobs.”
The celebration featured match past by the military,
paramilitary agencies, students and pupils of public and private schools.
Find below text of Governor Okowa’s
speech
GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR DR. IFEANYI ARTHUR
OKOWA, THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, TO DELTANS ON THE OCCASION OF THE
CELEBRATION OF NIGERIA’S INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, AT THE CENOTAPH, ASABA, ON
TUESDAY, 01 OCTOBER, 2019
Dear Deltans
I bring you warm greetings on this unique
occasion of the celebration of the 59th Independence
Anniversary of our great and beloved country, Nigeria. Fifty-nine
years in the life of any human being or entity is a remarkable point in time to
acknowledge and take stock. I therefore salute our past and present
leaders whose foresight and sacrifice brought us the independence, which we are
celebrating. I also salute our people, especially Deltans, who over the years,
made sacrifices to ensure that our country remains united and committed to the
path of democracy.
2. At
fifty nine, if we are to make further progress and follow the speed of
sustainable development across the globe as a united people, we need to check
our emphasis on regional, ethnic and religious divides. We should
all work as a united people to foster growth and development in every part of
the country. Let us look at ourselves and share a sense of belonging as members
of one family.
3. There
is no gainsaying the fact that our country is facing serious challenges in many
spheres. But this is not peculiar to Nigeria. Every country in the world is
facing various challenges too. We should therefore face these challenges
squarely and not allow them define us as a people. Let us rekindle our hope,
redouble our fervent prayers and supplication to God to see us through the
numerous trials and unite us more than ever before. Our declarations should be
positive both for leaders and the country. That way, we will have positive confirmation
that the heavenly father will grant our prayer.
4. I,
therefore, appeal to all Deltans and indeed all Nigerians, to rekindle their
faith in a united country and in the continuous protection of democracy as the
only viable system of governance, which is already bringing sustainable
development to our nation in spite of obvious challenges. I wish to assure
Deltans that government will not shirk its responsibilities to its citizens as
we shall at all times, conscientiously pursue what is in the best interest of
the State and according to the provisions of our Constitution.
5. I
am delighted that the development profile of Delta State is on the
rise. I reaffirm the commitment of this administration to the
completion of all on-going projects. Government has maintained a
steady focus on the economy of the State with a view to promoting prosperity
and public private partnership in economic development. The State
government has expended considerable resources towards improving basic
infrastructures notably roads, drainages, healthcare, electricity, schools,
bridges, housing, urban renewal and portable water supply. This
administration is determined to sustain this trend. It is however,
doubtful if government alone can do all. Accordingly, this
administration is exploring private sector participation in the overall
development of the State.
6. In
the public sector, government is determined to plug all areas of
wastages. We must all join hands to ensure that the syndrome of abandoned
and shoddy contract execution become a thing of the past. Let me assure you
that the State government is fully determined to ensure the good use of its
resources for the provision of infrastructure and overall development of the
State. This insistence might not be popular but the overall interest of both
the State and its people are at the centre of our resolve. Most of those who
complain are people who stand to benefit from a lopsided and warped utilization
of the State’s resources to benefit only a handful.
7. The
issue of unemployment, especially among our youths has reached alarming
proportions. Previously, government held a dominant position with the State
economy as a major employer of labour and producer of goods and services. Since
opportunities for direct employment in the public sector are limited,
unemployment has been on the increase and has become an issue of great
concern. This is why early in the life of this administration,
energy was directed towards creating opportunity that will improve quality of
life for Deltans by job and wealth creation through skills acquisition. No
doubt, the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development is a life
changing model. The philosophy here is to create a pool of active players in the
establishment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises –SMEs.
8. So
far, we have laid the foundation for a critical mass of
skills for entrepreneurship and business development. Over 20,000 persons
benefited from our flagship Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme
(STEP), Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and similar
programmes undertaken by the Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Commerce and Industry, Women Affairs, including Delta State Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises Development Agency. My sincere appeal to
beneficiaries is to avoid selling off the empowerment tools handed over to
them. Such an act defeats the purpose of creating a group of determined SME
operators who will turn the State’s and country’s economies around. It is
expected that the progress they make can and should be the envy of those who
opt for white collar jobs.
9. Progress
is deficient in a society that cannot feed itself, so we need to go back to the
land but this cannot be done by government alone. It is on this
basis that the Agricultural Development Programme – ADP - has been restructured
into Delta Agricultural and Rural Development Authority. We are
making conscious efforts to revamp and revitalize the agricultural sector and setting
up related activities to absorb the teeming number of the unemployed youths in
our midst. Various opportunities have been opened by the State government, the
CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and other agencies to encourage farmers at all
levels. I urge our people to key into these avenues for the expansion of their
production.
10. However,
the issue of unemployment among our youths should not be a reason for moral
decadence, armed robbery, indiscipline and kidnapping, which are becoming
worrisome across the country. Let me make it abundantly clear that as much as
we believe that kidnapping and moral decadence among our youths could be
manifestations of the prevailing economic situation in the country, we cannot
fold our arms and allow youths to abandon the time honoured virtues, which
constitute a source of pride and uniqueness to our people. More than
ever before, there is the dire need for all patriots to join hands to check
these manifestations of societal decay in the nation to avoid bequeathing to
our children, a bleak future.
11. Fellow
Deltans, I like to use this opportunity to sympathize with communities and
individuals, particularly those who are suffering various degrees of setbacks
following consistent flooding these past few years during rainy
season. I need to re-emphasize that those still in flood prone areas
should relocate to higher grounds. We are committed to checking future
occurrences through the institution of modern planning regimes for cities and
the construction of drainage systems and embankment in the riverine areas of
the State. I therefore, appeal to all residents to avoid building houses and
kiosks in unauthorized places to avoid blockage of natural water-ways, with its
attendant disasters. We are coming to a point where those who deliberately
build on water channels will be denied compensation if their structures are
pulled down.
12. We
should, at all times, remember our gallant officers – men and women – on the
frontlines fighting against terrorists, especially in the north eastern parts
of the country. Families of fallen heroes and heroines should also feature
regularly in our prayers as we ask God to protect and strengthen them.
13. I
am pleased and proud to acknowledge the contributions of our traditional
rulers, community and religious leaders, youths, workers, security agencies,
legislators, the judiciary, the press and indeed, every resident of Delta State
towards building a State of our dreams. Delta State will continue to
maintain cordial relationship with neighboring States and indeed, all Nigerians
in the true philosophy of being a shining example of love towards all.
14. On
this occasion of the 59th Independence Anniversary of our
beloved nation, I implore all Deltans to renew their spirit of brotherhood,
love and peaceful co-existence for the progress of the State and
country. We reaffirm that the present administration shall not
deviate from its commitments to equity, fairness and justice in all its
actions. The challenges ahead are great, but with your continued
goodwill, love and support, we will build a State that guarantees economic
prosperity, political stability and security.
15. I
wish you all, happy independence celebrations.
Long
live Delta State!
Long
live Nigeria!!
16. Thank
you and may God bless us all.
Office of the Governor
Government House,
Asaba
October,
2019
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