We have followed with consternation the viral story of the purported 114% increase in the salary of the President, Vice President, elected Federal and State political office holders and judicial officers.

We state without any equivocation that President Bola Tinubu has not approved any salary increase, and no such proposal has been brought before him for consideration.

While we recognise that it is within the constitutional remit of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to propose and fix salaries and allowances of political office holders and Judicial Officers, such can not come to effect until it has equally been considered and approved by the President.

It is important to note that RMAFC, through its Public Relations Manager, has responded to this fake story being circulated and has already set the record straight.

However, that this unfounded story gained prominence on social media and in a section of mainstream media, again, brings to the fore the danger fake news poses to the society and our national well-being. The misinformation was, obviously, contrived to create ill-will for the new administration, slow down the upward momentum and massive goodwill the Tinubu-led administration is currently enjoying among Nigerians as a result of its fast paced, dynamic and progressive policies.

It is important to reiterate to journalists, media managers, and members of the public that stories on government activities and policy issues that do not emanate from approved official communication channels should be ignored.

Media practitioners are enjoined to, at all times, cross-check their stories to ensure accurate reportage, which is the hallmark of responsible journalism.

Dele Alake
Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications & Strategy

June 22, 2023

I’m pretty sure everyone is agitated to confirm their suspicion of the legendary Afrobeat King Fela Anikulapo Kuti as being the father of fast growing Afro pop icon Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy.

Who is Damini Ogulu “burna Boy’s” father?

The truth is Fela was indeed Burna boy’s father, from a musical orientation, but not his biological father. Damini was born into a bombastic music loving home. His father Samuel Ogulu was a Jazz lover and an occasional singer too (aside managing a welding company). His mother Bose Ogulu (née Idonije) was once a dancer for Fela and the daughter of a famous icon of Nigerian journalism Benson Idonije.

Burna boy’s grandfather was a broadcaster and music critic known for being the first band manager of Fela Kuti. Little wonder his daughter Bose Ogulu became a Kalakuta dancer and radio translator. He (Burna’s grandfather) is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most revered music critics, and was part of the pioneering group of broadcasters who started Radio Nigeria 2 (now Metro FM) in 1977.

In 2012, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism awarded Benson Idonije the Life Time Award for Journalism Excellence.

On June 19 2016, media experts, business personalities and friends gathered to honour singer Burna Boy’s grandfather Benson Idonije – who was Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s first manager – as he turned 80. A clip of the event where Pa Idonije was seen praying for Burna immediately went viral and caused social media users to wrongfully state that “parents and grandparents are willing to pray for any successful child regardless of what they do for a leaving.”

To better understand the importance of Damini’s grandfather, his 80th birthday celebration was a week-long event featuring paper presentations and musical performances organized by the Committee of Relevant Arts and Culture Advocates Caucus in several parts of Lagos including the Ojo campus of the Lagos State University, Freedom Park, Broad Street and the MUSON Centre.

Benson Idonije has also published books.

Damini Ogulu is the only son and second child of Samuel and Bose Ogulu. And also the grandson of legendary journalist and Fela Band manager Benson Idonije. It is no surprise that Pa Idonije is also Burna boy’s music director.

So is Fela the real father of Burna boy?

Source: Omoawori Update

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Thursday, identified health system gaps and challenges, dearth of qualified personnel, low quality of care, inadequate utilization of available health facilities, and lack of access to essential medicines as factors fueling the high maternal and child mortality rates in the country.

Oborevwori who disclosed this while flagging-off of the first round of the 2023 Maternal and Newborn Health week in Asaba, said that providing accessible and affordable healthcare for mothers, newborns, and children is a critical component of any effective – and sustainable – primary healthcare policy.

Oborevwori noted that successive administrations in the state have provided free healthcare for pregnant women and children under five years in recognition of the importance that is attached to their survival and wellbeing.

He said his administration will not only continue the free healthcare for pregnant women and children under – five, but it will also improve Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) services in the state.

According to him, available data showed that maternal and newborn mortality rates in Nigeria are among the highest globally.

“In fact, in 2015, Nigeria overtook India as the country with the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world.

“Yet Nigeria’s population is less than one-fifth that of India! That tells you the magnitude of the problem on our hands.

“Generally, the high maternal and child mortality rates in the country are traceable to health system gaps and challenges, dearth of qualified personnel, low quality of care, inadequate utilization of available health facilities, and lack of access to essential medicines.

“Others include poor nutrition, complex pregnancy-related illnesses, and high cost of out-of pocket expenses at the point of service,” he said.

The Governor further said that “to meet the global targets in maternal, newborn, and child health services requires the participation of all, not just the government.

“The Delta State Government will continue to do its best to improve health infrastructure across the state and expand the health insurance scheme to capture more people in the informal sector.

“Furthermore, we shall continue to implement policies and programmes that will create wealth for our people so that they can invest in quality nutrition.”

He called for the involvement and cooperation of womenfolk to embrace and practice healthy social habits that improve women’s health, such as breastfeeding, regular physical exercises, and abstinence from illicit drugs.

“It is my earnest expectation that Deltans would take advantage of this week-long programme to receive basic
primary healthcare services at various locations close to their homes and offices.

“Mothers and care givers should endeavour to bring out their newborns and under-5 children to the Primary Health Centres and other outreach facilities to avail themselves of the health services.

“We need to embrace these promotional and preventive health services to avoid unnecessary medical complications, health emergencies, and avoidable deaths.

He called for the support of Local Government Council Chairmen, royal fathers, religious and opinion leaders in the engagement and mobilization of their subjects and followers to participate in this exercise.

He commended various partners in the health sector who have
always collaborated with the State Government in its march to achieve the Universal Health Coverage mandate of the United Nations.

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr Philomena Okeowo said the goal of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week was to improve the health status of women and children by increasing the coverage of key interventions.

She noted that the state had made considerable progress over the years with Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) dropping from significantly below 200/100,000 live births and Child Mortality Ratio (CMR) reduced to 53/1000 live births.

In her goodwill message, Delta State World Bank Coordinator, Dr Faith Ireye, lauded the State Government for its commitment to mother and child survival as shown in the implementation of Primary Health Care services in the state.

She said Delta State witnessed a reduction in the outbreak of maternal and childhood killer diseases.

“Worthy of note is the significant reduction in the incidences of measles; there was 82 percent reduction in laboratory confirmed measles cases in the state in 2023 when compared with same period in 2022,” Ireye stated.

By Atuyota Amronagbona

The elite theory is a widely discussed subject in the fields of philosophy, political science and sociology. This theory is hinged on the major premise that *”no societies are governed by the people, by a majority..”* According to Burnharm, *”all societies, including organisations called democratic, are ruled by a minority”*
This is true of all societies or even mass organisations. In all social groupings, a group of people usually planning and networking, holds the power and exercises it on behalf of the people. The commonest dictionary definition of the elite is that of *”a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.”*

The elite are usually people who are institutionally positioned through the economic, educational, political or traditional levers of society and their modus operandi is enlightened self-interest. Enlightened self interest is a philosophy in ethics states that a group of people who actys to further the interest of society to which they belong ultimately serves their own interests. Simply put the elite only can only do well by doing good. In revolutionary theory, this group is called a vanguard, hence the saying that *”every revolution must have a Vanguard.”* Without a Vanguard revolution seldom occurs and runs amoc when they do. Without an elite or a group of organised people with superior abilities or qualities to lead the way, society will become rudderless and eventually descend into anarchy. Hence the elite ar very important to society and must serve the best interests of society.

*THE ROLE OF THE ELITE IN SOCIETY*
The role of the elite in democratic societies or vanguards in revolutionary theory is to harness, collate and articulate the diverse and often variegated interest and energy of the non elite, called the masses into a coherent whole and channels the same towards the common good of society. This is the unwritten law from which the elite draws its legitimacy. The more the elite actions and inactions reflect the will and aspirations of the people, the more the people look up to them for leadership, the more successful and longer they reign and the more they are able to mobilise the people for collective action. Wherever the elite fails in these duties, due to internal contradictions or an emergence of a cabal within its fold, society descend into anarchy and from the arches of that anarchy rises another elite/vanguard. Fredrik Engel’s and Karl Marx’s dialectical materialism comes to mind. Even the mellowed Emil Durkheim had this to say about societies that lack the discipline to aggregate the common will of the people: *”For if society lacks the unity that derives from the fact that the relationships between its parts are exactly regulated, that unity resulting from the harmonious articulation of its various functions assured by effective discipline and if, in addition, society lacks the unity based upon the commitment of men’s wills to a common objective, then it is no more than a pile of sand that the least jolt or the slightest puff will suffice to scatter.”*

*THE ELITE IN UDU HISTORY.*
The first known group of elite in Udu post-colonial morden history where known as the *Big Six* namely; Chief W. T. Odibo, Chief T. J. Sokoh, Chief M. V. Optutu, Chief Jefia Notoma and Chief “Ologbode” Onohere. These group of Udu greats midwifed morden Udu. They facilitated the building of the Udu bridge and road, created a Kingdom, and gave the Udu people a local government of their own. The Big Six which was an exclusive elite group was the precursor of the then Udu Executives and the then Udu Development Union which later changed name to the Union of Udu Communities, UUC. The earlier Udu elite comprising the Big Six were the most successful in Udu history. They laid the foundation of growth upon which Udu stands today. Their reign under the later iconic leadership of the late Chief W. T. Odibo was long and progressive because it mirrored and actualised the collective will of the people. When the Udu people yearned for a king to bring them at par with our other Urhobo neighbours, they sat down and drafted the 1979 Edict which created the kingdom and worked assiduously to get a king installed. They were able to mobilise public action towards the building of the Udu bridge and many others. Their legitimacy was derived from their selfless and public spirited actions and Udu had the best under their reign.

*THE CABAL*
In societies marching towards atrophy, a cabal more often than not, arises within the elite and grabs hold of power. A cabal in political parlance is a group of people who grab power or operate within a power block to further their own selfish interest or agenda. Their intents are usually surreptitiously insidious and their operational method is underscored by secrecy, intrigue, blackmail, intimidation, Machiavellian authoritarianism, dictatorship and unbridled pride often lacking in knowledge. They can make puppets of Kings and Presidents. Only societies heading towards disintegration or dislocation allows cabals to operate without hindrance.

*THE 2023 UUC CONGRESS DEBACLE*
The 2023 UUC Congress has come and gone but its debilitating effects remain and are threatening to tear our beloved kingdom apart. Reports reaching us indicate that it is the worst Udu Conference ever in terms of preparation, organisation or even attendance. The question now is what should the Udu elite because of their vantage position do in resolving the lingering conflict from the Congress before it develops into a full crisis? My simple answer is that it should immediately step into the matter. It should do what is right by looking at the justice of the matter for it it only in justice that truth can be found. The Udu elite should do well by doing good and should not be afraid of doing so. It should protect its own interest by promoting the general interest of the Udu people.

*Atuyota Amronagbona* writes from the port city of Southampton in Hampshire, England.

The Principal of Sapele Technical College, Sapele, Mrs Rosemary Itawansa on Tuesday denounced online reports over alleged dilapidation of facilities in the school.

Mrs Itawansa who spoke to journalists in Asaba while reacting to misrepresentation of facts during the visit of the Senator Representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone to the school, said the School was among the technical colleges given full rehabilitation by the Delta State Government few of years ago.

She stated that the only challenge facing the school is the issue of power because of the bad state of their transformer and the power situation in Amukpe.

According to her, “that press release is not correct. When Senator Chief Ede Dafinone came there, he saw for himself that we have what it takes for the school to be a Polytechnic.

“The community people were there and they saw for themselves and made statement that the school is up to standard.

“However, it is true we have power issues which he mentioned and it is with regards to the bad transformer. But that is not to say that the state government did not give us a generator.

“We have a heavy duty generators there that we fuel and the ones we run with diesel for practicals. I was there when he was making his last statement to the press that ‘you can see that the school is up to standard and has enough equipment’.

“But that the only observation there, is power outage. That was his statement before he left after the visit. So the true situation of things, is that Sapele Technical College is up to standard and not dilapidated as wrongly reported,” she said.

Mrs Itawansa who denied certain comments credited to her in the online report, further remarked that the Junior Secondary section was renovated some months ago while a memo was written to the State Government on the issue of the transformer.

“I think about three or four months ago, the JSS section was renovated by the the immediate past administration. We have written a memo to the government with regards to the issue of the transformer and it’s receiving attention.

“Nearly every department has a generator and we have a bigger generator, 300 kva or so to carry the whole school.

“So what I feel is that the statement issued could be an error from the press because what he (Edafinone) said was that the school has all it takes to be a Polytechnic and it’s up to standard,” Mrs Itawansa stated.

Hon. Amobi Ogah, Labour Party House of Representative member, reacting to the petition of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi alleged that Peter Obi, should dismiss his petition in court and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build Nigeria. He stated that in politics, you lose, and you win and Peter Gregory Obi should accept the fact that he has lost the position of the President of Nigeria and support the current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build Nigeria.

Recall that Amobi Ogah became a member of the House of Representatives under the ticket of the Labour Party.

Amobi Ogah, reacting to the Tribunal proceedings, alleged that Peter Gregory Obi still have the opportunity to contest and win another time, but the best thing for him to do for his supporters is to dismiss his petition in court against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and support Tinubu to build Nigeria.

However, Amobi strongly believes that if Peter Obi dismisses his petition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu it will prove that he has the spirit of a good sportsman, and he can also support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build Nigeria.

He said: “Once you are in this politics, don’t lose hope. Don’t think that if you don’t win today, you will not win again. Once someone has won the election, to be a good sportsperson, you must give the person support. For me, like I said earlier the last two weeks that trended all over the world, when I told the people, election has come and gone, now it’s about governance. And whoever Go has given the mandate to represent the people, you must respect that institution. Because today, while I am representing you, it is that institution that brought me to this place. For that reason, I always say whoever that is in that seat, give the person that support until either the court says otherwise or God. We must put Nigeria first. Nigeria is more important than anybody. It is more important than me. Let’s leave that for another day, but I can tell you it is only God that gives power.”

Amobi revelation has stirred reactions online from supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi, who disagrees with his opinion and believes he has betrayed the Labour Party.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara says modalities are being put in place by the Government to roll out transport palliative to cushion the high cost of transportation caused by the removal of petrol subsidy.

Governor Fubara disclosed this when the State leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) paid him a solidarity visit at Government House Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Sir Fubara explained that the Ministry of Transport is already being engaged to introduce some buses to help reduce the high cost of transportation currently faced by the people.

The Governor who described the effects of the subsidy removal as temporary, urged workers and Rivers people to exercise patience as relief will come at the end of the day.

The governor said, “Rivers State is one of the states that have implemented the new salary structure, the state is in full practice of the new salary scale, the issue of pension and gratuity are ongoing, the records are there, the issue of employment is also ongoing, we are fulfilling our part of the bargain to take care of the workers”.

Governor Fubara also stated that the Rivers State Secretariat Complex is undergoing reformation as challenges of water supply, security, power supply and other essential services are being tackled to enhance the productivity of workers.

Fubara further assured of providing a conducive working environment for both the public and private sectors of the state economy and urged the organised labour to work in synergy with the government to move the state forward.

He hinted that the confrontational approach of the previous leadership of NLC in Rivers State stalled the smooth resolution of issues regarding the welfare of workers, such as promotions, pensions and gratuities, but that is now a thing of the past.

The governor appealed to the leadership of the Union to always embrace peace and dialogue and urged them to be constructive in matters of policy as well as to make the state better.

“It’s very important for labour to have a good relationship with any administration, labour can’t work in isolation; it’s important for the present leadership of NLC in Rivers State to work with our government”.

Sir Fubara assured the Union of his collaboration in a bid to move the state forward and promised to look into the request of rehabilitating the Union’s office.

Earlier in his address, the Chairperson of NLC in Rivers State, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, who led the delegation on the solidarity visit said the visit was to congratulate the governor and pledge their unflinching support to his administration.

The NLC chairman said the organised labour in Rivers State is proud of the emergence of Fubara, a technocrat and career Civil Servant as Governor of Rivers State.

Agwanwor urged the governor to create a sustainable avenue for labour and government to always discuss issues that will enhance industrial harmony in the state.

He said, “The Rivers State Governor is conversant with challenges of the public service, we want to appeal, that a regular interface be sustained between government and labour to foster industrial harmony and development in Rivers State.

Protesting members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday prevented work activities at the premises of Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation, a Chinese construction company responsible for building the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Lugbe, Abuja.

The NLC expressed their protest against what they described as dehumanizing working conditions endured by Nigerian workers at the Chinese company. They aimed to liberate the workers from what they perceived as slavery-like conditions.

Initially, the Chinese company resisted the entrance of the NLC leadership and their picketing team onto the company premises. However, they later opened the gate and received the complaint from the workers’ union.

The management of the construction company did not comment on the protest or respond to the allegations made by the NLC.

The Chinese government had undertaken the construction of the new ECOWAS Secretariat as part of an aid package to the West African regional organization.

During the protest, the General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Emma Ugboaja, expressed concern about the alleged inhumane treatment of workers at the construction site. He stated that the NLC had responded to a complaint from the construction workers’ union in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) regarding poor working conditions at the site.

According to Ugboaja, the Chinese company engaged the workers on an ad hoc basis without providing any employment terms or welfare benefits, including medical services.

He expressed regret that due to the deplorable work conditions, one of the workers, a driver named Mr Augustine, had died due to neglect and lack of timely medical attention.

Ugboaja mentioned that while the picketing action continued, the labour leadership hoped to engage in discussions with the management of Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation to address the concerns of the workers.

Referring to the deceased driver, Ugboaja said, “Mrs Ruth Augustine migrated with her husband and family to Abuja to come and earn a living. Now the man, in an aid to help build the ECOWAS Secretariat, has ended up six feet down, leaving his poor widow to face the vagaries of life: no pension, no gratuity, no food, no water, and no explanation. Where will help come from? Every day we plead with the government to provide a minimal social security net, to no avail. That is the challenge we have. This challenge is real.”

Ugboaja emphasized that, contrary to critics accusing labour of crying wolf where there are none, the widow of the deceased was present to share the tragic story of her late husband’s experience.

Ruth, the widow, narrated her ordeal, stating that her husband had secured a job as a driver with a Chinese company last year. However, the conditions of his employment did not allow him to return home after work.

“He would work from Monday till Sunday. I asked him whether they gave him a bonus for the overtime and extra work he was doing. He said no. My husband would work from morning till night without food, and he would not be allowed to come home. Even when he did come home, he would not stay for more than an hour before hurrying back to the site,” the woman said.

Ruth explained that after her husband returned to work in January following the Christmas festivities, he stayed at the company for two months without visiting home. Worried, she called him.

“From the conversation, I knew he was very sick,” she said.

According to her, the company failed to take her husband to the hospital and also did not allow him to go home for treatment.

“When they eventually permitted him to go home, his condition had worsened. He had a swollen neck and looked highly malnourished,” she said.

The woman added that she took her husband to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital in Abuja and later to the National Hospital, where he passed away.

Throughout this ordeal, Mrs Augustine stated that the Chinese company failed to heed her pleas for assistance. Instead, they gave her a termination letter for her husband.

Reverend Father Oluoma Chinenye John, a priest with the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, says those who speak in tongues that church members don’t understand are wrong.

The young priest, while speaking to his members about speaking in tongues and what happened on the day of Pentecost, said the reason is that when the Apostles spoke in different tongues on the day of Pentecost, people who were there understood what they were saying.

He started his sermon by saying: “Are there teachers here? In Education, we were told that there are three domains – psychomotor, affective and cognitive. Similarly, when it comes to speaking in tongues, the Holy Spirit also has his domains. They are communication, intoxication and specialization”.

Speaking further, Fada Oluoma Chinenye said: “The Bible said that people from various tribes were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Pentecost and when the Holy Spirit came on the Apostles, they heard them speaking their language and understood what they said. Go and read Acts chapter 2, you will see it. So, those who speak in tongues that church members don’t understand are wrong”

BY FIDELIS EGUGBO

Evidence has shown that all over the world, people are mainly interested in having leaders in authority who would create the enabling environment for them to engage in productive ventures and have the three basic needs of man – food, clothing, and shelter.

Delta State is so blessed that it is a production hub, tourism haven, and more. So, the people yearn for a government that will make such to happen.

The State boasts of a coastline that can be developed from Illah to Patani rivers and rivulets that are yet to be fully harnessed for economic benefits, four seaports located in strategic areas that can be made functional, two airports that are functional and also strategically sited to ensure complete coverage of the State, rich soil that has made it such that almost all crops can be cultivated in the State without fertilizer. The State also hosts the largest oil and gas deposit in sub-Sahara Africa.

Undoubtedly, with good leadership, Delta should be the destination of all investors.

If Delta is so blessed with so many natural resources, its location as a central state which everybody from the East and most people from the South-South region must pass through to get to the West and, in some cases, access the North, has also, made it almost like a nodal state. But the greatest asset of Delta lies in its people. With the Atlantic Ocean, Delta shares boundaries with other countries, so the opportunities are limitless.

Deltans are very enlightened people, industrious, and relatively peaceful. Of course, the State can be described as a mini-Nigeria with such ethnic groups like the Urhobo, Ndokwa, Ika, Ijaw, Aniocha, Itsekiri, Isoko, among numerous others, and more than 20 different dialects if we are to distinctly identify the Olukumis, Okpes, Ossissas, among others.

That the State is a tourism haven is an understatement. This is because, in Koko, there is the Nana Living Museum for one to look at the stories of the slave trade. In Aboh, there are also such tourist attractions that are begging for attention. Asaba, the Delta State capital city by the bank of the famous River Niger, plays host to the first administrative headquarter of Nigeria and its administrative building, the Mungo Park House, is still standing. Also in Asaba are the Lander Brothers’ Anchorage, the Onishe Shrine, and recently, the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park and Film Village. But of course, in Okpanam, which boasts of the Okpanam Wonder, is the Igwogwo Pit which has spring water and is said to be the source of the Anwai River. However, due to lack of attention, it is fast becoming a death trap with ecological challenges threatening the lives and houses of those built around the area.

At Umuaja, Ukwuani Local Government Area is the source of River Ethiope, which is the deepest river in Africa.

In Ugiliamai, Onicha Ukwuani, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the State, lies a unique soil that cannot be found in any other part of the State but lies untapped for economic gains.

Of course, while Delta is known for oil and gas, Ugboba, which is almost a twin town to Obomkpa in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State, is a vast deposit of “matured coal” yet to be touched.

So, what will Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration do differently as the Governor of Delta State?

This question came to mind when I saw the display of raw talents at his 60th birthday anniversary celebration at the Events Centre Asaba, the state capital.

Of course, Delta hosts the most significant number of Nigerians in the entertainment industry, whether in comedy or music. And also, it is a truism that people can talk about Nigeria’s exploits on the football field, with the contributions of Deltans topping the chart.

Due to Governor Oborevwori’s double celebration, his inauguration thanksgiving and 60th birthday anniversary service, on Monday, June 19, 2023, Asaba, the Capital of Delta State, was literarily locked down. The Asaba International Airport also witnessed a flurry of activities that day.

The celebration was an extraordinary one coming precisely 21 days, three weeks after he subscribed to oaths of office as the elected Governor of Delta State. Rt. Hon. Oborevwori and his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, mounted the podium on Monday, May 29, 2023, to subscribe to relevant oaths of office as Governor and Deputy Governor of Delta State, respectively.

The Winner’s Chapel, Living Faith Church, where, as a Christian, the Governor went for thanksgiving to mark the occasion, was filled. If the Church, where he had his thanksgiving, was filled to capacity, it was natural that the Events Center, the venue of the reception, had to play host to the creme-de-la-creme of the society, from governors of neighboring states to industrialists such as Chief Alen Onyema of Air Peace.

Traditional rulers, religious leaders, and people from all walks of life attended the ceremony. Naturally, the Events Center could not accommodate the dignitaries who wanted to identify with the Governor as he celebrated, so tents were provided within the premises of the Events Center for those who preferred to sit outside.

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, as a man who confidently works with Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, as two hearts that beat as one, two men working in unison to deliver the goodies of democracy to Deltans without discrimination, was among the first set of people to get to the Church. Sir Onyeme, as a successful civil servant, industrialist, farmer, and tax administrator, knows the importance of time and utilizes it to the fullest.

As a trusted Deputy Governor and one who knows his onus, Sir Onyeme was at the Church long before the arrival of the Governor, and from the Church, he briefly played host to his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, before moving to the Events Center for what one can describe as the grand finale of the birthday anniversary celebration.

One can vividly recall that less than two months after his inauguration as Governor of Delta State in 2015, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had a similar celebration in the State.

However, his thanksgiving occurred at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Asaba. So, it was not surprising that Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, his wife, Edith, his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and his wife, Roli, were also at the Events Center to celebrate the incumbent Governor.

Delta-born musicians, Harrysong and Daddy Showkey, thrilled the mature audience. Of course, veteran, well-organized musician Emma Grey and his Afric Wadada band presented the sound system, the beats, and backups for the musicians that performed at the occasion.

Going back memory lane, when Chief James Ibori became the Governor of the oil-rich State in 1999, it was obvious that Rt. Hon. Oborevwori is the oldest person to be administered the oath of office as Delta’s Governor.

Chief Ibori was born on August 4, 1959, and became a Governor at the age of 40 years; Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was born on October 22, 1954, and became the Governor of Delta State at the age of 53 years, while Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa was born on July 8, 1959, and became Governor at the age of 56 years.

So, Rt. Hon. Oborevwori became Governor 21 days before his 60th birthday anniversary. Will age have an impact on how he will govern Deltans? We shall know how far he will go in the next few weeks. Deltans and Nigerians are watching keenly how he will put his experience to bear in managing the affairs of the State, and as my friends in Warri will say, “he should not fall our hands.”

Yes, he cannot afford to fail because, apart from the oldest among those who took oaths of office, Rt. Hon. Oborevowri, is also the most experienced among them. Experienced based on the fact that he was the longest-serving Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, a position he relinquished when he was administered oaths of office as Governor.

Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, in a goodwill message, said the Governor is “a man of grace who has been given the mantle of leadership to ensure a stable and progressive Delta State.

“Your Excellency, it gladdens our hearts to celebrate with you and thank the Almighty God for making it possible for you to celebrate your first birthday anniversary while in office as the Governor of our dear State, Delta.

“No doubt, God has ordained you to pilot the affairs of our State as your special activities as the most extended serving Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, a position that required managing lawmakers from all the Constituencies of our State, speaks volumes of how God loves you.

“Your carriage and professional handling of issues relating to our State has distinguished you as a man prepared for governance, and we are confident that Deltans who overwhelmingly spoke with their ballot papers will have every reason to thank God for bringing you as our Governor. As you celebrate, we wish you happy more years, blessed with wisdom, peace, and good health through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, during the celebration, rekindled the hope of Deltans who voted for him massively at the elections, saying, “I want to start by thanking all of you who have come to celebrate with me. Your presence means a lot to me.
“You all know my relationship with the people at the grassroots; that relationship is key and will not stop. I want everyone to be patient; more appointments will come, and more development for the State, even as I sincerely thank all our leaders for showing love to me.”

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori is a lucky man. His predecessors, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan are working closely with him. Neither Ibori, Uduaghan, nor Okowa enjoyed such privilege of having predecessors working closely with them when they were Governors. But, the questions revived at the reception venue were, are the predecessors working for their interest or the generality of Deltans?

Time shall tell, but if it were at the Federal Government’s level, they constitute the Council of State. The predecessors had already identified their mistakes when they were saddled with governing the State, so they will naturally ensure that Rt. Hon. Oborevwori will not make such mistakes; they have also all made money, so they will not be looking at how much will enter their pockets but how to spread the wealth so that before Oborevwori leaves office in the next eight years, those in Dubai should visit to see Oborevwori’s wonders in Delta State.

Yes! It is possible – the resources to do such is available and begging to be utilized. All that is required is the will.

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori’s antecedents do not also portray him as a poor man. Granted that some are even poor at heart that no matter their wealth, they keep amassing more to the detriment of the people, but if Rt. Hon. Oborevwori could get more than 90 percent support from lawmakers across the State, which means that he has listening ears, and as a true democrat, he works according to the dictates of the masses.

Deltans are already counting the days, and he is cautious, calculative, and focused. He called for patience, but are the people patient? They want action, and that is another task before him, the job of developing the State to a level where most people will not be dependent on the State but can be positively engaged and happily pay their taxes without government officials prompting them.

The days ahead are challenging, and he has to do something different, what former Governor Uduaghan will describe as “low-hanging fruits;” Deltans are watching, not only watching Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, but watching former Governors Okowa and Uduaghan, because with them teaming up with Oborevwori with the people’s interest coming first, life will be better.

If Deltans and the world are watching, expectedly too, they are praying for them to succeed because, when they grow in ensuring good governance, the greatest beneficiaries will be Deltans. So, As a Deltan, this is the time to be on your knees, praying for Rt. Hon. Oborevwori’s administration to succeed, engaging in actions that will encourage the government to grow and avoid any activity that will portray the State negatively to the world, and we shall all have reasons to say, “God, thank you for answered prayers.”

Egugbo is an author cum journalist based in Asaba, Delta State.