At 50: My counsel to Nigerian youths

                                                                                                       BIRTHDAY

Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli

BY Emmanuel Enebeli

Some 50 years ago, I was fortunate to come into this world through a family who believed in the wonders of God’s work. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Okuguni and Beatrice Enebeli, from a little unknown town of Obi-Ukwele, in Ebedei, Ukwuani Local Government, in the present day Delta state.

Precisely 50 years ago today, the 10th of July 1966, I was born into that family, a Blue blooded Ndokwa man, who grew up to love Ndokwa, its people, culture and tradition. I grew up to see Nigerian youths from the standpoint of the Ndokwa children, to be resourceful and intelligent. Hardworking, loving and daring.

The story of the Nigerian youth, years back, could be well seen from the lens of the average Ndokwa youths, who see things evil as evil. Yes, 30 years ago, I can still recollect how growing up, and moving round with my friends in the village, tried to see ourselves as the future of our community. How many of us were so daring to different types of manual or farm work to make our family and ourselves relevant.

It was a period where we competed to achieve, to excel, and to create a future, a good future. We vowed to ensure we will go to school, go to university, even without a good financial background.

Even in daunting situations and lacks, it was always a thing of joy to see one of us gain admission into higher school, and the rest still have hope of been relevant to the society. It was a period when the issue of oil was not a problem. It was a period when the Nigerian youths work and worked. And they struggled to pay for their school fees with their labour.

Recently an article published by the Vanguard Newspaper, titled “Angry Letter to Nigerian Youth: The future is here with us”, written by   Bayo Adeyinka, quoted Albert Einstein that said “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” Mr. Adeyinka at the introduction of the letter, said, “Unfortunately, this is what you are doing. You complain about the problems and challenges but that’s all you do. You follow the same people who created the problems and eulogize them to high heavens”.

He asserted by saying, “You are guilty of lack of depth and originality. Your level of thinking is pedestrian”.

As a student of the first indigenous University in Nigeria, University of Nigeria, we were moved by the motto of the university, which is “To Restore the Dignity of Man.” However the full motto is to “Restore the Dignity of the Black Man”, our emblem, with a chain on the neck of a black lion, was like a clarion call to the students of the university and the entire Nigerian university to the glorious nature of the black man, nay the Nigerian whom even the international communities have always seen as very intelligent and hardworking.

We studied, with pride, we saw ourselves then as the future of Nigeria, and today, many of my colleagues and in different fields, public and private contributing to the economic development of our nation Nigeria. We all believe to do the impossible through hard work. It paid off. Even when there were good prospects some of us felt it is better to end up in the teaching profession, and today one of us is a professor in the Department of Geography, Delta State University. Many are in Politics, Security, medicine and more.

We strived, picked up courage and moved on, because life was good. All these were because we wanted a good future for us and our nation, Nigeria.

But today, what is the situation? We, as a nation, are facing a terrible future. Our country is now a country where the good things are now expected to yield evil, most especially from our youths.

In moving from my small humble way, I graduated and went to serve in the western part of the country, precisely, Osun state, and as the Corps Liaison Officer in Oriade Local Government Area. I was later opportune to work as a non-permanent staff at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, (WRPC), Ekpan for close to a decade, and was thrown out like an orphan by the President Olusegun Obasanjo government, under the management of Mr. Funsho Kukpolokun, in the year 2014, along with others.

That experience was painful, but on that day it was like a push to move on. Just like a good friend use to say in the times of difficulty, “Emmanuel, disappointment is an appointment”. It had been true, because in every situation the statement, by no other person, but Sir Reginald Nnoshiri has always been true.

But in the case of the Nigerian youths of today, what is their future, according to Bayo Adeyinka, “Since no one can rise beyond the level of their thinking, you have remained at the aboriginal state of being- the same with your progenitors”.

At 50, I have weathered a lot of pains, frustration, hatred, rejection, disgrace. But in all these I always looked forward to overcome. Yes. But in those years, when I weathered the storms, I also ran many businesses. I had failed in many and succeeded in many. And that is why I am asking the Nigerian youths to sit down and reflect.

Today, one of my joys in life is putting the name of Ndokwa on the international scene. The formation of www.ndokwareporters.com was like a dream. www.ndokwareporters.com may not have equaled other local and world online Media, but we had created a niche for ourselves. There is no other online medium that has more news about Ndokwa, than this website. Though the name looks local, but today it is international as many of our readers and contributors comes from countries you will never imagine.

Today, we had proved that there is life in every of our thought, even if it is going to be difficult at the beginning.

So as I celebrate today my 50th birthday, I encourage the Nigerian youth to sit down and reflect properly of their future. They should stop and look at each device in their hands as a means of livelihood, and not for crime. Today, while the majority in the world are making money producing and marketing their ideas on the net, using websites, Social Media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp, the Nigerian youths see more of the negative use of these platforms.

It is wise for us to sit down and reflect on our future as youths, because as the united nation slogan goes, the “Youths are the leaders of Tomorrow”. But if the youths refuse to see this, then the nation is in trouble.

Today from the North-East to the South, there is one security issue or the other. These issues are not carried out by adults, even though they are sponsored by many of them, but by youths who had made themselves available for all forms of violence, including political violence.

The Nigerian youth today, has developed the spirit of hatred. They preach hatred more than love today. This should stop. We just have to live as a nation, by working, living and doing loving things.

Yes, there is world economic meltdown, maybe by the world oil prices, and insurgency in the Niger Delta, but history has taught us that the period of depression is good for the wise to invest. The youths should sit up. Look around them on what to do. Today they are the major critics of government policies and yet, they are still the major tools of destruction in the country.

·         Emmanuel O. Enebeli, is publisher of Ndokwa Reporters news online, and Ndokwa Reporters newspaper. 

No short cut to success, Ukah tells students

 Students have been advised that there are no short cuts to success as it comes as a result of adequate preparation, hard work and learning from failure. 

The Delta State Commissioner of Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, stated this on Thursday, 7/7/2016 during the graduation of class of 2016 at Trinity International College, Ofada, Ogun State. 

Mr. Ukah, who spoke on 'Discipline and Diligence, Ingredients of Future Leaders' as a Guest Speaker, told them that there is no short cut to good and enduring success as people must pay the full price in the currency of hard work. 

The Information Commissioner also said that discipline means the ability to do what is right when it is right and not to do what is wrong or what is inimical to their dreams and purpose for living. 

Mr. Ukah added that diligence helps to actualize people's abilities, discover potentials in themselves and put them on the track of greatness, stressing that the more diligent people are,  the more they will discover what they can do. 

The occasion was the 13th in the series of graduation ceremonies of the school established in 1995.

Garlands for Okowa, the SMART Governor at 57

                                                                            Birthday

By Charles Aniagwu

Mr. Aniagwu

The story of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State is the story of courage and resilience. He is a man of great faith, enviable impacts and of flawless reputation. As Senator in the 7th Assembly, he was ranked among the best Senators for sponsoring ten (10) bills- including the National Health Bill, a feat many acknowledged as ingenious, legendary and laudable despite his short stint in the red chambers. His steady progress did not just start today as  a lot of people, who knew him a long time ago, would not easily forget how he rode on the back of humility-through all his professional and political career, even  to his present status as Governor of Delta State.

Born on the 8th of July, 1959 at Owa-Alero in the present Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, he had his early education at Iroro Primary School, Owa-Alero and later attended the famous Edo College, Benin City. He graduated with the second best result in the Higher School Certificate Examination in the then Bendel State in 1976.

Governor Okowa and wife, Edith.

Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Ibadan to study Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa graduated in 1981 with MBBS, at the record age of 22. Upon his completion of the National Youth Service Corps in 1982; he worked briefly with the defunct Bendel State Hospitals Management Board as a Medical Officer before venturing into private practice as Director, Victory Medical Centre, Igbanke, in 1986. He later expanded his outfit with another branch at Boji-Boji, Owa. He endeared himself to his people through his humanitarian disposition as he often rendered free services to the very poor in those locations.

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has displayed high craftsmanship in his work and the evidence of his constructive leadership manifests in his growing political profile. He rose through the ranks from Secretary to the Local Government, to Chairman of the Council, to Commissioner in several ministries and later as Secretary to the State Government before finally being elected to represent the people of Delta North Senatorial District at the Senate in 2011.

Today as Executive Governor of Delta State, he has made positive impressions in the minds of Deltans in just one year in office. With his approach to leadership, core progressives have come to believe that our democracy is truly yielding desired results. Here is a man who, on many instances, had demonstrated his love for Delta State and Nigeria above pecuniary interests and enjoins others to embrace same. Looking back  the past 57 years, his family and indeed his retinue of associates and admirers do have cause to be grateful to Almighty God for having granted him a life of great accomplishments and abiding fulfillment.

Ekwueme! (One who does what he says he will do) is his traditional title and for him, nobility of birth, in a predominantly peasant milieu, was more of a challenge than the comfort it provided. In fact, it was this outlook that has become the fulcrum on which his life and leadership style revolves. In Delta today, the citizens are rightly rich in huge expectations from the Okowa administration. This, in all honesty, is not unfounded because of his pedigree and passion for service.

For Okowa, there is an element of freshness about him even at 57 -freshness of spirit, freshness of ideas, freshness of vision and mission for him as a person, as a leader and for the state he has superintended in the last one year. He is unarguably running a dazzling race of his life as a politician, an administrator and a leader. Despite the numerous successes he has made of all of his endavours, he exudes, yet a seeming urgency to reach the finish line in his chase to get the citizens of the state to the Promised Land.

A year ago, he set the stone rolling by building on his predecessor’s developmental framework. Methodically, he set about adding to the foundation, the necessary ingredients for Delta State to attain its potential through his policy plank- the S.M.A.R.T. Agenda; geared towards bringing prosperity to all Deltans. As an astute politician and lawmaker per excellence, Okowa sees plenty, even in the face of paucity. It is his rare determination to make the most out of nothing that he has been driving all that is needed to ensure Delta State grows in leaps and bounds and eventually raise the bar by setting standards for others. That in marking his one year in office, Governor Okowa spent a whole month in commissioning several landmark projects dotted across the three Senatorial Districts of the state has become a template and a reference point for most of the states today. Through consensus-building, thorny political issues have become free of tumult, acrimony and bad blood. This was made possible by Okowa's calm persona on a very volatile system. By entrenching core values of selflessness and integrity, he has effectively earned the confidence and trust of his friends and foes alike. He has re-defined the concept of leadership and effective governance by effectively re-orientating the mindset of the political class to see politics as a call to service.

As he clocks 57 years, his track-record in politics and in the leadership of Delta state sure sets him apart as a selfless and passionate leader who burns to put his state on the world developmental map.  He detests waste because he is confronted daily by the lack that  dots the socio-economic landscape. That is why in the anniversary of his birthday last year, he requested that friends and well wishers should not place goodwill advertorials in the media. He rather urged them to convert such resources to assisting the needy. As he marks yet another anniversary of his birthday, his wish is that Deltans should pray for him and the state in order that what he has lined up in his wish-list for the state would come to fruition.  Out of my personal convictions, I write to express my warm felicitations to him on the occasion of his 57th birthday anniversary. As he deservedly celebrates this glorious day, it is my prayer that Almighty God, who has richly prospered him and ordered every of his steps this past years, will continue to bless him with good health and fulfillment in the many more years of worthy service for his people.

Congratulations to His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, at 57.

Charles Aniagwu is Governor Okowa's Chief Press Secretary.

Okowa’s one year: Rich Experience in social stability, progress

 By Patrick Ukah 

Mr. Ukah

( BEING TEXT OF REPORT BY PATRICK UKAH, HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE FOR PROJECTS INSPECTION AND COMMISSIONING ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE COMMISSIONING AND INSPECTION EXERCISE BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR DR. IFEANYI ARTHUR OKOWA, GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE ON FRIDAY, 24TH JUNE, 2016)

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to Ika North-East Local Government Area as we approach the final acts of the projects Commissioning and Inspection exercise which commenced precisely on Tuesday, 24th May, 2016.  The exercise was essentially conceptualized to commemorate the 1st Year Anniversary of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s Administration in Office as Governor of Delta State.
The Essence of Celebrating One Year Anniversary
2.1    Elected Governments in different democracies all over the world have formed the tradition of celebrating one year in office to take stock and refocus the programmes and policies of Government.    Among other reasons therefore, the celebration of the 1st Year Anniversary of the Okowa’s Administration in office was deemed necessary for the following reasons:

Governor Okowa

to take stock of how well the administration has implemented the PDP’s Manifesto;
to critically examine the campaign promises of His Excellency, the Governor and identify how they have been translated to reality; and to see how Government policies have been matched with action.
The SMART Agenda and its Implementation within the past one year
3.1    The SMART Agenda of this Administration is evidently the plank upon which His Excellency’s programmes and policies rest upon.  For the benefit of those who are not quite familiar with the SMART Agenda, it is explained as highlighted hereunder:
S: -     Strategic Wealth Creation and Provision of Jobs for all Deltans
M: -     Meaningful Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political/Social Stability
        A: -    Agricultural Reforms and Accelerated Industrialization
        R: -    Relevant Health and Education Policies, and
        T: -    Transformed Environment through Urban Renewal
3.2    A cursory examination of the policies and programmes of His Excellency, the Governor ably confirms the widespread view that this administration has performed creditably to the admiration of not just party faithful but the generality of Deltans.  A statistical summary of completed and on-going projects eloquently attests to the wholesome commitment of this administration to the well-being of its people.
3.3    On road construction, twenty-two (22) roads were completed and commissioned while twelve (12) roads that are presently on-going would be commissioned upon completion in the near future.
3.4    In the Education Sector, three (3) Primary Schools, one (1) Model Secondary School, one Technical College and the Faculty of Law Complex, Delta State University, Oleh Campus were commissioned while the Model Secondary School, Ashaka was inspected.
3.5    In the Health Sector, the Pediatric Wards, Water Scheme and other completed facilities were commissioned at the Patani General Hospital, Patani.  Also, the construction works in the Accident and Emergency Project in the Hospital were inspected.  The Abavo General Hospital, Abavo, a completely new health facility, is also in the list of projects that is covered in terms of commissioning in this exercise.
3.6    The Construction of Orerokpe Model Market, Orerokpe, which is at an advanced stage of completion, was also inspected in the course of the exercise.
3.7    Two major YAGEP Cluster/Agripreneurswere visited and inspected at Ekpan-Ovu and ADP, Ibusa to highlight special achievements in “softer” areas of human development and empowerment.


4.0    The idea behind the commissioning/inspection of projects
4.1    The raison d’etre for the commissioning and inspection of projects by this administration besides the reasons adduced in the introductory part of this report is to monitor the effectiveness of projects implementation by contractors executing Government projects that are tailored to bring succour to the generality of our people.  They also provided the special and highly valued opportunity to interact with our various constituents.  The interaction afforded better understanding of our vision and plans as well as better appreciation of our people’s expectations.    The outcome of all these is an enriched democratic experience in the State which is crucial for social stability and progress.
5.0    Personal Experience
There is no gainsaying the fact that virtually every one of us that has been involved in the project commissioning and inspection exercise has learnt very useful lessons in terms of matching Government policies with actions, effectively applying public funds to people-oriented projects and programmes, monitoring expenditure to ensure realization of anticipated expectations as well as disciplined and focused approach towards complaints made by indigenes of project communities.  Over and above all of this is the need for every occupant of public office to remain focused and proactive in the face of dwindling economic fortunes, believing that better days are ahead for our dear State as ably demonstrated by His Excellency, the Governor throughout the exercise.
6.0    Future outlook
6.1    The finances of our State have been very well managed by His Excellency for socio-economic development of the State as evidenced by the visible projects awarded by this administration and which could be seen across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.  Deltans in general were grateful for the achievements so far recorded.
7.0    Commendation
7.1    On behalf of the Committee for Projects Commissioning and Inspection, I wish to thank and acknowledge for special commendation, His Excellency, Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Governor of Delta State for finding us worthy to serve the State in our various capacities in the Committee.  Our thanks also goes to the following personalities who served as members of the Committee, Mr. James Augoye, Hon. Commissioner for Works, Mr.Bright Edejeghwro, Hon, Commissioner for Local Government, Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana, Special Adviser Urban Renewal, Prof. Sylvester Monye, Senior Policy Adviser, Chief Festus Ochonogor, Senior Political Adviser, Mrs. Flora Alatan, Executive Assistant (Women Mobilization),Mr. Esquire Omimi, Political Adviser and Mr. Jackson Ekwugwum, Manager Communications.
7.2    Also recognized with special thanks is Mr. Jerome C. Morka, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government who served as Secretary of the Committee.  His effort and useful suggestions greatly facilitated the smooth execution of the Committee’s assignment.  He was ably assisted by two of his officers in the persons of Mr. A.O. Jaho and Andrew Atobremu, both Assistant Chief Administrative Officers in his Office.  To them, I say thank you.
7.3    Permit me to also thank in a most special way, the Chairman of our great Party, the People Democratic Party (PDP),Barr. Kingsley Essiso who was practically with us throughout the various sections.  Also, immensely appreciated are: the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly; the Deputy Speaker as well as all Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly, Members of the State EXCO of the PDP, Honourable Commissioners and members of the Delta State Executive Council.
7.4    Our thanks also goes to Chieftains of the PDP in the respective Projectlocations/communities,Local Government Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Community Leaders as well as Contractors involved in the execution of the various projects for their understanding of the State’s financial situation and unflinching faith in the Okowa’s administration.
7.4    We note and commend the qualitative inputs of Mr. Bright Edejeghwro, Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chairman of the Security Sub-Committee, Members of all the Sub-Committees and Mrs. Flora Alatan, the Chairperson of the Entertainment and Refreshment Sub-Committee.Our special thanks goes to the sponsor of the Veracity Magazine, Mr. Andrew Isichei, Managing Director, Cybernetics International Services Limited, the foremost in-house publication of the Ministry of Information as well as Mr. Kingsley Erigbuem for his immense support in the publication of the State Executive Council Almanac.
7.5    We will not forget the invaluable contribution of the Media Sub-Committees of this event, in particular, Hon. Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr. Jude Sinebe, the Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh,the Chief Press Secretary to His Excellency, the Governor,Mr. Charles Aniagwu, all of whom gave their all to ensure the success of the exercise included here are the Director of Protocol, the Aide De Camp (ADC) to His Excellency the Governor, the Chief Detail, the CSO and their teams.  To them, we say thank you.  Our thanks also goes to Mr. James Augoye, the Hon. Commissioner for Works who ably assisted my humble self as Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee as well as serve as Chairman of the Venue Sub-Committee.
7.6    Finally, we appreciate and commend His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa for showing strong leadership, exemplary Statesmanship and maintaining his usual focused disposition.  Our Leader, Ekwuemegburugburu! You are our strength and inspiration.  We say to you sir, thank you very much and thank you very much indeed.  To all Deltans, we are grateful.  Thank you all and may God bless Delta State.
  
Patrick Ukah, fnim, arpa
Hon. Commissioner for Information
and Chairman, Project Commissioning and
Inspection Committee

June, 2016

MOVED WITH COMPASSION IN CHURCH, OSANEBI DOLES OUT MILLIONS FOR SMEs

It was another round of blessing for twenty two women today in Beneku, Ndokwa East local Government area of Delta State, when the Deputy Speaker,  Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi went to worship and thank God in Christ Embassy, Beneku.

Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi addressing the congregation
 at Christ Embassy.

The women and even the Deputy Speaker, who never had any premonition of what God has packaged for them in church today, went to Church normally to seek God and to thank him for the new month and for his faithfulness. 

Events took a different dimension in church when the Deputy Speaker, as he was addressing the congregation, paused and gave expression of his willingness to be used by God to help the down trodden, insisting that the prosperity of every believer is paramount in the heart of God and as people that have received some blessings from God, it's just natural to distribute same to the less privileged.

To that end, the Deputy Speaker called on the Church pastor and some church leaders, to select less privileged and economically weak women to be empowered to start up small and medium scale enterprises; and twenty two women who obviously needed help, were called out and were empowered with varying amounts in respect to their choice of business.

Osanebi presenting a cheque to a lucky beneficiary.

 

Beneficiaries of the Friday Osanebi gesture in a pose with their cheques.

To ensure that the women were serious minded and not wasters, Osanebi took time to interview each and every one of them and to ascertain the nature of business they could do comfortably and that was how the deputy speaker in turn gave them cheques in church to immediately start up the business of their choice, tomorrow Monday.

Members of the church were stunned at the gesture but Osanebi said: "the empowerment of every Deltan is a collective mandate of any one God has privileged to handle some blessings, and not just Governor Okowa's duty alone ".

He continued: "prayers must be intensified for our leaders and government, especially the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. Our law makers and all, whom God has privileged to be in authority".

He also revealed that as a politician,he is not deaf to the heart beat of God in his end time move. That at every opportunity he has, he utilizes it to reconcile man back to God through effective soul winning and other alternative means.

Some of the the women empowered today to enhance their prosperity includes: Mrs. Glory Edem, Mrs Isichei Nonye, Mrs Nzekwe Anna, Mrs Osanebi Blessing, Mrs Ashibudike Ngozi, mercy Ezchie, Nduka Alice, Mrs Egwuatu Fanny, Mrs Enenne Grace, Ogbuefi Charity and others.

Okowa salutes Muslims on Eid-el-Fitr

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has felicitated with Muslims in Delta State, Nigeria and all over the world on the occasion of the 2016 Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

Governor Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, enjoined all Muslim faithful in Delta State and Nigerians in general to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which are love, peace and justice to their daily living and through this contribute to the development of the nation.

"I felicitate with all Nigerians, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters on the auspicious occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitri celebrations. I congratulate all of our countrymen and women who have successfully undertaken the purifying Ramadan fast.

"As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitri, it is my hope and prayer that Ramadan’s spiritual lessons and the Holy Prophet’s teachings of piety, love, justice, fairness, equity, peaceful co-existence with others, tolerance, honesty and dedication to duty will remain with us all for the benefit and greater glory of our dear nation.

"On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State, I extend our warmest wishes to Muslims in Delta State, Nigeria and around the world celebrating Eid-el-Fitr.

"As Muslims celebrate Eid across Nigeria, it is important to remind Nigerians of the importance of respecting those of all faiths and beliefs.

May the lessons and blessings of the Holy Month also permeate into us all, and positively influence our attitudes towards our fellow countrymen and women, irrespective of religion or places of origin; and promote greater commitment to the peace, unity and stability of the nation.

"It is my hope that today brings joy to all of your homes, both here in Delta State, Nigeria and around the world.'' he said.

Okowa signs 4 Bills into law, to set up Economic Council

  

TO ensure cohesion between state and local government councils in the speedy delivery of democratic dividends, Delta State Governor, Senator  Ifeanyi Okowa  has assented to a Bill for the setting up of an Economic Planning Council in the state.

Governor Okowa, sitting, signing the bills into law .

Apart from the Delta State Economic Planning Council Bill 2016 which was presented to the Governor for assent by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya who was accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi and other principal Officers (01/07/16) in Asaba,  three other Bills were also presented and signed into Law by the Governor. 

They were Delta State Security Trust Fund (amendment Bill) 2016, Delta State Anti-kidnapping (amendment) Bill 2016 and the Delta State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy (amendment) Bill 2016.

Okowa in a group photograph with principal officers of DTHA and some cabinet
members.

Governor Okowa who said he was excited to have signed the Bills into law expressed confidence that the economic situation of the state and the country would improve in the next few months.

He assured Deltans of continuous infrastructural development  and that the passage of the Economic Planning Council bill was to bring it in line with the  Nigerian Constitution to ensure that the Local Government Council were carried along in the developmental planning in the state and also, avoid duplication of projects.

According to the Governor, "in this particular law, local government Chairmen will be brought in as members of the Council and it will enable us to compare notes on economic plans between the local government councils and the state government,  and  ensure greater partnership in the delivery of economic dividends for our people."

Governor Okowa who took time to explain the importance of the four laws to the government and people of Delta State, disclosed that the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy would be constituted in the next few weeks because of its importance in looking at issues concerning "persons who have been condemned and those who are held in the Prisons."

On the anti-kidnapping Law, the Governor said, "kidnapping of persons for money is on the increase across the country and with the signing of the law,  security agents are now empowered to  ensure that those directly involved in kidnappings and their accomplices are sentenced and their property destroyed to serve as deterrent to others; the state government will not spare anybody, there will be no sentiment there will be no friendship in ensuring that we live in peace for development to take place."

The Delta State Security Trust Fund Law (amended) 2016, according to Governor Okowa, "was passed in the past but it was not made operational. We want to operationalize the law and with contributions from the state and private sector, fund will be available to provide equipment and logistics and support security agencies' operations in the state."

The governor commended the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly  for their support and co-operation in delivering democratic dividends to the people.

Earlier, Rt. Hon. Igbuya, while presenting the Bills to Governor Okowa said that the Bills were speedily attended to and passed to enable the governor pursue vigorously his developmental agenda for the state.