Gov. Okowa swears in 17 commissioners in Delta, blast Orubebe
ASABA– The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi A. Okowa yesterday swears in the second batch of 17 commissioners into the state executive council with a charge to work as a team in building a stronger Delta.
The Governor had in his speech during the well attended inauguration ceremony of the new commisioners of Delta State had tasked them to rise above petty sentiments in their various local government councils in the state but to rather see themselves as bridge builders and unifiers.
Governor Okowa gave the charge on Tuesday at the Event Center, Asaba during the inauguration ceremony of the commisioners, stressing that it was not an easy task for him to select 17 persons from a list of multifaceted qualified personalities across the State.
In his words: “It took us time, it was so tasking and rigorous for us to arrive at this ones that we have picked, they may not be the best among them, Delta State is a peculiar state where we have to manage the interests of our various leaders in the state and balancing the political ratio was really demanding”.
However, Governor Okowa had admonished his commisioners to be humble and mindful of their conducts before Deltans “As a Commissioner, be humble because, being a commissioner does not mean you are better than others, also, it is a call to higher responsibility as you must resist the temptation to look down on others or be brash with those around you, especially your peers and contemporaries, be a unifier because, as a commissioner, you have to rise above petty sentiments and divisive tendencies, it is your mandate and responsibility to rally all together for the sake of unity, progress and you must exercise good judgment, show tenacity of purpose and be willing to stoop to conquer for the greater good of all”. Governor Okowa had stated.
Speaking further, Okowa had however apologized and regretted for not appointing women to be part of the state Executive Council, stressing that such interest will be taking care of in subsequent appointments.
The 17 commissioners sworn in by the Delta State Governor include Dr. Barry Gbe; Prince Emman Ambgaduba; Mr. FidelisTilije; Mr. Lawrence Ejiofor; Julius Egbedi; Mr Churchill Amagada; Mr Arthur Akpowowo; Hon. Martin Okonta; Mr Charles Aniagwu; Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyanga; Dr Mordi Ononye; Mr Ovie Oghoore; Mrs Gbubemi Ikolo; Mr Matthew Tsekiri; Hon. Christian Onogba; Mr Omamofe Pirah; and Chief Henry Sakpra as members of the Delta State Executive Council.
Meanwhile, in what appears like a drama before the entire gathering was when the Governor took a swipe on Hon. Godday Orubebe, Former Minister, Niger Delta Ministry, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Okowa had in his speech noted that it was not in his character to join issues with leaders in the state but insisted that a supposed leader like Orubebe could go to the pages of Newspapers and social media platforms to accuse him falsely with unfounded allegations.
It would be recalled that recently, the former minister had challenged Governor Okowa to give proper account on the monies he had realized as Governor of the state and what he has done with it so far, adding that the Governor have not been fair to the Ijaws of Delta State.
But Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had maintained that the former minister is attacking him because he asked for a commisioner slot and he was unable to accommodate it hence the acrimony.
Mentioning projects in Burutu Local Government, Okowa had also challenged the former minister to give account to Niger Deltans on how he spent the monies while being a minister in the Niger Delta ministry.
Nevertheless, Governor Okowa had reiterated that there is hope for the youths, women and Deltans in particular.
It would be recalled that the entire board members of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC will be constituted today at the Event Center, Asaba.
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