When Oborevwori became Governor of the year in good governance

OUT of the 36 states in the country, Delta is among the few states that have had the rarely privilege of being governed by one political party. This has made the change of guard in Government House relatively seamless and stable, as well as encouraged continuity. The benefits are more evident in what are regarded in local parlance as dividends of democracy since May 29, 1999, when the country restored civil rule. 

Under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, stakeholders in Delta are convinced that the state has experienced a phenomenal transformation. According to them, since he assumed office, the state has recorded major strides across board that cannot be ignored. One of such acclaimed recognition and acknowledgment of his achievements was when he was honoured with the Vanguard Newspaper’s Governor of the year 2024 award on Good Governance.  The award, presented at the 13th Annual Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards ceremony in Lagos, celebrated public officials who have demonstrated excellence in public service, infrastructural development, economic transformation, and people-centered leadership.

Oborevwori earned the accolades for his commitment to transparency, inclusive governance, and the rapid execution of strategic developmental projects under his “MORE” agenda – an acronym for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.  To the dignitaries that cut across all walks of life, who witnessed the conferment on Governor  Oborevwori,  it was icing on the cake for a committed and conscientious leader; recognition for a visionary and purposeful leadership exemplified by the governor. The governor was full of gratitude to the people of Delta for giving him their mandate and their unflinching support. He specifically reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to delivering more dividends of democracy, noting that the recognition was not just about him, but about the resilient and hardworking people of Delta. According to him, the recognition was a call to do more, serve better, and continue building a state Deltans can all be proud of.

What is the secret of his success to merit the recognition? With less than two years into his first term, the governor’s administration has completed key infrastructure projects and introduced reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and improving the standard of living in Delta.  His administration has not borrowed to either administer the state or execute projects, especially infrastructure development and other programmes. It has guaranteed efficient, judicious and meticulous use of state resources. The financial discipline has guided the state in overcoming inherited liabilities, including debts, just as the administration keeps faith with  agreements with contractors without compromising the overall interest of the citizens of Delta.

Prudent management of resources, quality projects, due diligence in contract award, Spartan lifestyle of the leadership and inclusive governance also constitute the cornerstone of the Oborevwori administration. The governor has encouraged that projects are evenly spread across state and federal constituencies and pursue an aggressive rural development.

Recall that the governor scaled many hurdles created on his path in his quest to lead the state. He triumphed over 38 court cases. Having been destined to govern the state, he survived those land mines through doggedness, popular support and divine inspiration to pave the way for the Sheriff Oborevwori M.O.R.E agenda.  According to the stakeholders, one distinctive feature of his administration is its emphasis on quality projects. The administration engages reputable construction firms like Julius Berger,  CCC construction company, CCECC, Levant Construction Company, SETRACO and tested homegrown construction firms like Obakpor Engineering Limited to execute its high profile construction projects.  The governor pays personal attention to these projects to complement the efforts of competent commissioners and government engineers who oversee them. Besides, Oborevwori sets aside monies for projects while still under construction to avoid project abandonment. So, all the projects inherited from the Okowa administration were not abandoned.

 

Inclusive governance

In consonance with the M.O.R.E Agenda, Governor Oborevwori has given the youth the opportunity to participate in high levels of government. He has lived up to his campaign promise by giving them the opportunity to serve as members of the state Executive Council, with about 30% of the state commissioners below 40 years, and the policy has brought a lot of succour to the youth and increased capacity building, youth empowerment, and succession planning in governance. In keeping faith to his pre-election campaign, Oborevwori created ethnic balancing by ensuring even distribution of patronage and resources to the different ethnic nationalities in the state. For the first time since 1999, the Ndokwa Nation produced a deputy governor; an Itsekiri man is the state chairman of PDP, while an Ijaw man is the speaker of the state House of Assembly. An Isoko man is the Chief of Staff while an Ika man is the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency has produced the senator representing Delta North in the Senate. He complements the ethnic balancing in appointments with distribution of projects meant to impact the lives of the citizens across the state and federal constituencies.

 

Burden of leadership

The challenge of quality leadership remains the urge to do more towards impacting positively on the lives of the governed; the urge to sustain the tempo and raise the bar in terms of service delivery, good governance and discipline, apart from the task of consolidation. This summary about the virtue of an exemplary leadership is amply captured and attested to by my people in Delta concerning the governor. For instance, the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari described the honour conferred on the governor as well-deserved,  as it underscored his uncompromising stance on good governance, infrastructure development, and the welfare of the citizens. “This prestigious award is a clear testament to your unwavering commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, human capital investment, and the uplift of the lives of the good people of Delta State,” Tonukari said. Highlighting the steady progress and transformation being recoded across critical sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, and youth empowerment, the commissioner lauded the governor for his visionary leadership. “Your ability to combine wisdom, integrity, and compassion in governance has earned you not only the admiration of your constituents but also the respect of Nigerians across the country. This award, therefore, comes as no surprise to those who have followed your exemplary service and transformative policies,” he added. “As you continue to serve with excellence and purpose, may this recognition inspire even greater strides in your quest to build a better and more prosperous Delta State. We are proud of your leadership and wish you continued success.”

A former Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Honourable Ndudi Elumelu, is also elated by the achievements of the governor with the conferment of the governor of the year in good governance. Elumelu described him as a great achiever who has demonstrated good governance since taking office less than two years ago. He emphasized that the award coming weeks after a similar one from THISDAY newspapers and Arise Television in January, attested to the governor’s genuine efforts in bringing about positive change to Delta State. Elumelu explained that the Oborevwori administration has continued to be recognised for its efforts in driving growth and development in Delta, stressing that his commitment to good governance and leadership has earned him numerous awards and accolades. The former House Minority Leader highlighted the Governor’s efforts in building enduring infrastructure across the state, implementation of life-impacting empowerment programs for Deltans and demonstrating exceptional leadership and vision for the state’s development.“Your Excellency, this award as Governor of the Year, coming from a reputable organization, Vanguard Newspapers, is a testament to your giant strides in less than two years in office. On this auspicious occasion, I join millions of Deltans to celebrate and congratulate you on this well-deserved honor,” Elumelu said. Similarly, Director General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Oghenesivbe, is enthused by the latest recognition of the great strides being achieved by the governor in the state. He said the ‘Governor of the Year in Good Governance Award’ bestowed on  Oborevwori was a clear testament to the rapid socio-economic and infrastructure development in all sectors of the state economy in less than two years in office.

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