Being a Deltan, I have very keenly been following his progress since he came to power as governor, and there are aspects of his style of governance that have changed the hard-line stance of even his most strident critics, and in turn inspired this article.
I will examine only two aspects of his governance which have enabled him to win the admiration of Delta people to the extent that opinion moulders and interest groups, including those who opposed him seriously at the beginning of his administration, are now on his side.
The first aspect is his policy of inclusion and the second is his “prosperity for all Deltans” policy. These two policies have engendered peace in the state, made opinion leaders to declare their full support for him and asking others to do likewise.
I will cite just three authorities to buttress this point. From Delta Central, the Urhobo People Integrity Organization has declared: “Delta State is fortunate to be currently governed at this critical moment by an outstanding personality who has distinguished himself variously as a good politician and administrator….Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa is working very hard to promote peace, unity and welfare of the people of Delta State even in the face of daunting financial challenges. He is determined to ensure that he delivers on his promise of prosperity for all Deltans. He has started on a good note and should be encouraged by all Deltans to succeed.”
From the grassroots, the powerful Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers in a published statement December 3, 2015 also stated: “On our part, we have since resolved to earnestly co-operate with the government in order to sustain the relative peace that pervades the entire state which is due to Your Excellency’s purposeful leadership of our state. We promise to do all at our disposal in order to help government achieve enduring peace and security of lives and property in the state, as no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour and chaos.”
From Ndokwa area, the Clan/Community Youth Presidents and Chairmen in Ndokwa East /West and Ukwuani local government areas in a communiqué issued December 3, 2015 also stated: “The Youth Leaders expressed their unflinching support to the present administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta State for being youth-friendly in policies and programmes and for appointing many youths into positions of responsibility in government”
Even powerful individuals who were adversely affected by some of Okowa’s reforms have begun to see him in good light. One of such individuals is Chief (Dr.) Henry Ogheneochuko Ofa (JP), who was commissioner in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) dissolved by the governor in order to restructure it. In an interview in National Reformer, November 2015, he had this to say about Okowa: “The government (Okowa’s) has not disappointed the people of Delta State….has done well in respect of the political appointments it has made currently whereby Delta Central benefited largely from the appointments which no doubt justifies the confidence we repose in governor Ifeanyi Okowa. I advise the governor to continue with the good work he has begun. No doubt, he has started well and I
I will cite just three authorities to buttress this point. From Delta Central, the Urhobo People Integrity Organization has declared: “Delta State is fortunate to be currently governed at this critical moment by an outstanding personality who has distinguished himself variously as a good politician and administrator….Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa is working very hard to promote peace, unity and welfare of the people of Delta State even in the face of daunting financial challenges. He is determined to ensure that he delivers on his promise of prosperity for all Deltans. He has started on a good note and should be encouraged by all Deltans to succeed.”
From the grassroots, the powerful Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers in a published statement December 3, 2015 also stated: “On our part, we have since resolved to earnestly co-operate with the government in order to sustain the relative peace that pervades the entire state which is due to Your Excellency’s purposeful leadership of our state. We promise to do all at our disposal in order to help government achieve enduring peace and security of lives and property in the state, as no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour and chaos.”
From Ndokwa area, the Clan/Community Youth Presidents and Chairmen in Ndokwa East /West and Ukwuani local government areas in a communiqué issued December 3, 2015 also stated: “The Youth Leaders expressed their unflinching support to the present administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta State for being youth-friendly in policies and programmes and for appointing many youths into positions of responsibility in government”
Even powerful individuals who were adversely affected by some of Okowa’s reforms have begun to see him in good light. One of such individuals is Chief (Dr.) Henry Ogheneochuko Ofa (JP), who was commissioner in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) dissolved by the governor in order to restructure it. In an interview in National Reformer, November 2015, he had this to say about Okowa: “The government (Okowa’s) has not disappointed the people of Delta State….has done well in respect of the political appointments it has made currently whereby Delta Central benefited largely from the appointments which no doubt justifies the confidence we repose in governor Ifeanyi Okowa. I advise the governor to continue with the good work he has begun. No doubt, he has started well and I
believe if he maintains this tempo, the sky will be his spring
board to unquantifiable success in his administration”.
There have been encomiums from Delta South, where voices that originally were dissenting have turned around to become consenting voices. The unflinching support of Delta North for Okowa is well known for this zone (Aniocha/Ika area) is his primary constituency. The result of all these have been peace and tranquillity in the state and cessation of all agitations.
To my mind, Okowa’s profile is rising in Delta State because he got the equation right even before he came to power. He understands the psychology, inclinations and propensities of his state very well and set out with the objective of sustainable development for Delta State achieved through unity, and peace. This is very glaring from his speeches and actions so far and from his manifesto and campaign promises in which he spoke eloquently of equity, justice, peace, and security and deep inter-communal relationships based on the unique character of the state.
In an ethnically diverse state, it appears that the governor has been able to identify two most potent and powerful tools that are now acting as a magic wand in developing the state, which as mentioned at the beginning are the policies of “inclusion” and prosperity opportunity distributed to all component elements of the state without discrimination. All his actions and policies so far speak of a leader whose determination is to make every ethnic nationality of his constituency feel at home with his administration. And he is winning.
Okowa wants the Aniocha, Ndokwa, Uhrobo, Ijaw, Isoko, Ika and Itsekiri nationalities to relate with one another as brothers and sisters; eschewing all scheming and schisms, and concentrating on the urgent task at hand, which is the rapid economic and social transformation of the state. He wants them, despite language differences, to view themselves as integral and important components of one state. In Okowa’s blueprint, each of the ethnic nationalities in Delta State is entitled to participate in governance and has an inalienable right to benefit from the administration of the state. This approach, in his calculations is the only road to peace and sustainable development of Delta State. Okowa does not want any Deltan to miss out in action in his administration. These beliefs and attitude of Okowa appear to be the source of his policy of inclusion.
On a wider scale though, the United Nations refers to Okowa’s policy archetype as “Social Inclusion” and defines it as “Processes by which efforts are made to ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of their background, so that they can achieve their full potential in life.”
Okowa appears totally committed to transforming Delta State into a “Society for All,” which the United Nations in Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action (1995) and adopted at the Millennium Summit, September 2000, stated as one of the goals of any society.
Okowa’s dream of prosperity for all Deltans and policy to give all ethnic nationalities a chance to be represented in all aspects of his government is worthy of support of all the sons and daughters of Delta State. His clear intolerance of tribalism and nepotism is worthy of emulation and sustenance even at the national level. What Deltans should focus on now are his lofty programmes which certainly will make Deltans richer and stronger and
There have been encomiums from Delta South, where voices that originally were dissenting have turned around to become consenting voices. The unflinching support of Delta North for Okowa is well known for this zone (Aniocha/Ika area) is his primary constituency. The result of all these have been peace and tranquillity in the state and cessation of all agitations.
To my mind, Okowa’s profile is rising in Delta State because he got the equation right even before he came to power. He understands the psychology, inclinations and propensities of his state very well and set out with the objective of sustainable development for Delta State achieved through unity, and peace. This is very glaring from his speeches and actions so far and from his manifesto and campaign promises in which he spoke eloquently of equity, justice, peace, and security and deep inter-communal relationships based on the unique character of the state.
In an ethnically diverse state, it appears that the governor has been able to identify two most potent and powerful tools that are now acting as a magic wand in developing the state, which as mentioned at the beginning are the policies of “inclusion” and prosperity opportunity distributed to all component elements of the state without discrimination. All his actions and policies so far speak of a leader whose determination is to make every ethnic nationality of his constituency feel at home with his administration. And he is winning.
Okowa wants the Aniocha, Ndokwa, Uhrobo, Ijaw, Isoko, Ika and Itsekiri nationalities to relate with one another as brothers and sisters; eschewing all scheming and schisms, and concentrating on the urgent task at hand, which is the rapid economic and social transformation of the state. He wants them, despite language differences, to view themselves as integral and important components of one state. In Okowa’s blueprint, each of the ethnic nationalities in Delta State is entitled to participate in governance and has an inalienable right to benefit from the administration of the state. This approach, in his calculations is the only road to peace and sustainable development of Delta State. Okowa does not want any Deltan to miss out in action in his administration. These beliefs and attitude of Okowa appear to be the source of his policy of inclusion.
On a wider scale though, the United Nations refers to Okowa’s policy archetype as “Social Inclusion” and defines it as “Processes by which efforts are made to ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of their background, so that they can achieve their full potential in life.”
Okowa appears totally committed to transforming Delta State into a “Society for All,” which the United Nations in Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action (1995) and adopted at the Millennium Summit, September 2000, stated as one of the goals of any society.
Okowa’s dream of prosperity for all Deltans and policy to give all ethnic nationalities a chance to be represented in all aspects of his government is worthy of support of all the sons and daughters of Delta State. His clear intolerance of tribalism and nepotism is worthy of emulation and sustenance even at the national level. What Deltans should focus on now are his lofty programmes which certainly will make Deltans richer and stronger and
more united than ever before.
God Bless Delta State.....Amen
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