By Abel Johngold Orheruata

Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, the Wife of the Governor of Delta State, has inaugurated the state-of-the-art Oko Event Centre in Oko Amakom. The occasion also marked the launch of a ₦50 million empowerment initiative for 500 beneficiaries within Oshimili South Local Government Area. Each recipient received ₦100,000, while 20 bags of rice were distributed to each political ward in the council.

The event centre, a flagship project of Hon. Dr. High Chief Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, the Executive Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Council, was lauded by the First Lady as a transformative project that promises significant socio-economic benefits for the community.

Deaconess Oborevwori praised the grassroots-focused leadership of Dr. Obi Ezenyili, describing the project as a testament to his commitment to improving lives. She urged the people of Oshimili South to continue supporting the council’s efforts, emphasizing that the Oko Event Centre would stimulate economic activities and foster community growth.

In his remarks, Dr. Obi Ezenyili explained that the event centre aligns with the MORE agenda of the state administration and addresses the community’s long-standing need for a standard facility for social gatherings. He highlighted the project’s impact in reducing the need for residents to travel to Asaba for such events.

The council chairman also flagged off the empowerment programme designed to promote inclusiveness and reduce youth restiveness. Beneficiaries included Persons with Disabilities, artisans, religious groups, youth leaders, traditional institutions, and members of various ethnic communities in Oshimili South.

Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, the member representing Oshimili South in the State Assembly, and Chief Victor Obi, the Odua of Oko Amakom, commended the Governor and his administration for the project and called for further developmental initiatives, including the establishment of a secondary school in Oko Amakom.

The inauguration of the Oko Event Centre underscores the council’s focus on developmental governance and its resolve to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

By Fred Edoreh

At the last count, the administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has 513 road projects of over 1,300 km and 950 km of drainage going on simultaneously across the three Senatorial Districts of Delta State. They comprise 377 inherited and 136 newly initiated ones, all of varying importance to as many different communities.

While the number is huge and some of the projects, audacious by intent and design, most interesting is the high level of commitment the Governor has demonstrated towards their successful execution.

There are flagship projects like the flyover bridges in Warri and Effurun, on which Julius Berger is glaringly doing great; the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway on which the speed of work has been amazing, with the Sector C now smooth and cool, while the Obo Bridge, the most critical aspect of the project, already being mounted; and the 26km Trans Warri Ode-Itsekiri Road consisting of 19 bridges, with 15 already done. Indeed, it was historic to see the Olu of Warri drive by road to Ode-Itsekiri for the first time in the annals of Iwere Kingdom.

This Christmas, indigenes and travellers to Ndokwa East would find it satisfying to freely cross the Beneku Bridge to their various riverine communities. Before now, crossing the Ase Creek had been by Pontoon in which the people were extorted with exorbitant charges. It is no longer so.

The project is 95% completed and already in use, even though Sheriff has said he is not satisfied with the aesthetics and wants the job very well and beautifully done before he would commission it.

So too would travellers on the Amukpe-Agbor axis find relief in the rehabilitation of the Old Umutu-Abraka-Eku Road which now provides them an alternative route, pending when the Federal Government embarks on the redesign and reconstruction of the major highway as promised by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

It has equally been a pleasure driving on the recently commissioned Okpanam-Ibusa Bypass, a project which was conceived at the creation of Oshimili North LGA, long years ago, but without adequate attention, until Sheriff came to take the bull by the horn.

So too are my people in Emevor already enjoying the completed Phase 1 of the Emevor-Orogun road while the government has shifted attention to Phase 2.

It is just like my brother, Don Zino Osieme, has been excited with the swift action on the recently approved construction of Olomoro-Igbide road which had been of concern to Isoko nation for decades.

I am personally very excited about the works on the Odimodi-Ogulagha, the Ohoror-Bomadi, the 16 internal road projects in Sapele, the new network of roads in Ughelli, the Isheagu-Ewulu road, the Ndemili/Utagba-Uno road and over 25 others in Ndokwa nation alone, just as much as the spate is spread through the whole of Anioma, Ijaw and Urhobo lands.

No doubt, as massive as the number is, the 513 projects still do not meet all the needs for roads across the state, with new towns and estates springing up in the face of equal need for repairs and rehabilitation of existing old ones and the necessity to reach the hitherto unreached.

That, possibly, is the reason why Sheriff devoted 60% of the 2025 budget to capital expenditure, one of the highest ratio presently of any state budget in the country, with N250 billion for roads alone.

Even more assuring is that there is a provision of N2 billion for the execution of road works in each of the 25 Local Government Areas in the state (it was N1 billion each in the 2024 budget), an ingenious budgetary strategy that ensures that every Local Government gets some measure of attention.

But while we will continue to commend him for his initiatives and performance in the provision of capital and physical infrastructure, even more celebratory is his foresight and dedication to social investments.

He seems to fully understand that the roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure are essentially to provide an enabling environment for socio-economic activities, and that of equal, if not most importance, is human capital development through the empowerment of the people to be able to effectively utilise those facilities to achieve economic prosperity.

As at the last count, for instance, the D-Cares programme has been expanded from about 36,000 beneficiaries when he took over, to now over 250,000 beneficiaries in different Result Areas – from the empowerment of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through various direct-to-people programmes and MDAs to catalyse and strengthen businesses, to caring for the vulnerable and People Living With Disabilities.

In the same vein, the MORE-Grant programme has empowered over 5,000 women, while the MORE Biz-Up recently empowered 2,000 in two categories, comprising 1,000 new participants and 1,000 previous beneficiaries whose performance has earned them further support to maximally upscale their business towards greater profitability, higher economic impact and elevated potentials for employment generation.

There was also the provision of agricultural inputs to over 6,000 farmers to boost production and food security in the state, even as Sheriff further released N1 billion counterpart funding for the Africa Union Development Agency-New Partnership for African Development, to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock and aquaculture, with focus on poultry, fish farming, cassava cultivation, maize crop, pepper production and vegetable farming.

These all are in pursuit of the Sustainable Agricultural Sector Reforms component of Realistic Reforms of the M.O.R.E Agenda.

Indeed, leveraging the Transformational Integrated Special Agricultural Processing Zone programme, Sheriff is aiming at creating 50,000 jobs, especially at the Free Trade Zone Operations Centre in Kwale, Osubi Agro Transformation Centre, and other agricultural clusters in Isoko and Agbor, with a view to enhancing food security, agro-processing, employment creation, export earnings and infrastructural development, all aimed at raising the Gross Domestic Product and standard of living in the state.

When officials of the African Development Bank, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI) came to assess the technical preparedness of the state, they were impressed not only with what they saw on ground, but also with the establishment and running of the Delta State Economic Zone Management Company, a strategic vehicle designed to manage the Industrial Zones with a Public-Private Partnership approach, which they judged as one of the most unique and efficient across the country.

In the health sector, there have also been giant strides, especially with the ongoing upgrade and re-equipment of 150 Primary Health Centres and 64 General Hospitals, the sustenance of the Mother and Child free medical programme, and the tremendous increase of enrollees in the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme to over two million, the highest of any state in Nigeria, possibly in West Africa.

It is for these and more reasons that the Sheriff administration won the Bill and Melinda Gates Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge for outstanding performance in primary health care management, organized by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and UNICEF.

Instituted since 2019, the award is aimed at shoring up performance at the Primary Health Care level, so as to make healthcare more accessible to the people at the grassroots, but it is the first time that Delta State would be considered for mention or recognition in any category, and it is remarkable to see the Sheriff administration win it in less than two years in office, with the concordance and admiration of his counterparts in other states.

The Sheriff phenomenon in Delta State is defined mostly by these virtues: genuine love and empathy with the people, a personal high sense of responsibility, and unfettered sincerity of purpose, all driven with an impeccable adherence to best practices in transparency, accountability and prudence.

By Abel Johngold Orheruata

The Delta State Judiciary has announced the introduction of a fully functional online platform for the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), enabling e-affidavits and e-probate administration. The platform will officially commence operations on 2nd January 2025.

This development was disclosed in a public announcement signed by Mrs. Eloho Okodiya-Onoriose, the Chief Registrar of the Delta State Judiciary, dated 20th December 2024, and made available to journalists in Asaba.

According to the announcement, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Deltans, that the Delta State Judiciary has introduced a fully functional online platform for Electronic Document Management System for e-affidavits and e-probate administration, which is to commence with effect from 2nd January 2025.”

The service will be applicable to all courts under the High Court of Justice, including High Courts, Revenue Courts, Magistrate Courts, and Special Courts. However, affidavits filed in ongoing cases before these courts are excluded.

Legal practitioners and members of the public are encouraged to take full advantage of the platform for fast, efficient, sustainable, and convenient processing of affidavit and probate matters.

To access the service, users will only need a laptop, desktop, smartphone, or similar device. For those without access to these devices, the Judiciary is offering registration for cyber cafés to render the service to the public.

This innovation is expected to streamline legal processes across the state and enhance access to justice for all Deltans.

By Abel Johngold Orheruata

The Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, has attributed the Commission’s success as Nigeria’s leading health insurance body to the unwavering support of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative (IEAI) in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Dr. Akpoveta highlighted the governor’s pivotal role in advancing healthcare accessibility across Delta State. The event saw 1,000 Ibusa indigenes benefit from health insurance, courtesy of Pastor Idowu Daniel Chukwudi Okeze of the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Foundation.

Dr. Akpoveta revealed that Governor Oborevwori’s administration had released substantial funding to bolster the state’s Equity Plan initiative, which focuses on providing healthcare for pregnant women and children under five years. This measure, he said, underscores the government’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage.

“The governor’s decisive actions demonstrate an unwavering commitment to ensuring vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children, have access to essential healthcare services,” Akpoveta stated.

He further praised the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Foundation for adopting and sponsoring health insurance for vulnerable individuals, describing the gesture as a shining example of community solidarity and philanthropy.

“This initiative is not just an act of charity but a profound commitment to the well-being of our people. It reflects the core principle that healthcare is a fundamental human right and must be accessible to all, regardless of economic status,” he added.

Dr. Akpoveta called on other individuals and organizations to emulate this initiative by sponsoring health insurance premiums for indigent residents to complement government efforts toward universal health coverage. He emphasized the DSCHC’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and delivering quality healthcare services to all Deltans.

The Chairman of the Commission, Hon. (Dr.) Austin Obidi, also commended the establishment and sustainability of the DSCHC, acknowledging former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s vision and Governor Oborevwori’s ongoing support. Dr. Obidi noted his contributions to healthcare infrastructure in Ibusa, including the construction of three health centers during his tenure as Chairman of Oshimili North Council Area.

Pastor Idowu Okeze, represented at the event by his elder brother, Patrick Okeze, described the IEAI as a transformative program that empowers the community by enhancing access to affordable healthcare. He urged other stakeholders to join the initiative to help vulnerable individuals gain access to life-saving medical services.

Meanwhile, Dr. Emmanuel Ebom, the Chief Medical Director of Government Hospital Ibusa, raised concerns over staff shortages, revealing that only five doctors currently attend to over 50 patients daily. He appealed for understanding from patients and support to address the manpower challenges in the hospital.

The event marked another milestone in Delta State’s pursuit of equitable and accessible healthcare, reflecting the combined efforts of government, private foundations, and the community.

By Abel Johngold Orheruata

The Federal Government’s commitment to supporting senior citizens was reinforced during the 2nd edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The event, themed “Total Wellness: Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous Lifestyle”, aimed to enhance the welfare of elderly Nigerians nationwide.

Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria, announced the disbursement of N1.9 billion to 250 elderly citizens across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans of DEPOWA (Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association). Each beneficiary received N200,000—double the previous year’s amount—along with free medical check-ups and essential items.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady highlighted the scheme’s impact, saying, “This programme is designed to support the welfare of our elderly citizens annually. It is our responsibility to ensure that they live happily and healthily, especially during this festive season.” She commended state coordinators and partners for their role in actualizing the initiative while encouraging beneficiaries to prioritize their health and enjoy quality time with loved ones.

In Asaba, Delta State, Her Excellency Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, echoed these sentiments. She lauded Senator Tinubu for her unwavering support for senior citizens and emphasized the importance of valuing the elderly.

“For many, life has been challenging, but today, we celebrate you. This gesture underscores the commitment of this administration, led by His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to ensuring no one is left behind,” she said, urging continued prayers for national peace and progress.

The RHIESS initiative serves as a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s senior citizens, affirming their invaluable contributions to society while promoting wellness and prosperity in their golden years.