By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Civil Society leaders from across the nation has hailed the Delta State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party vice presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for partnering with the group as they converged in Asaba Delta State on Wednesday, December 14, to mark the 6th edition of the Delta State civil society day and award ceremonies.
The Civil Society leaders led by Amb Ibrahim Waiya, Chairman of the Northern States Civil Society Organisations commended the Governor for ensuring that the Civil Society is not intimidated and not gagged in the process of carrying out their duties for citizens and the society at large.
The group stated that the openness of the governor to criticisms and willingness to constructively engaged with the Civil Society on issues of governance and all that touches the citizens has separated him from many of his fellow Governors who may have erroneously seen the Civil Society as opponents being sponsored by enemies of their government.
The Civil Society leaders which also included Alhaji Abubakar B Tafawa Balewa and Comrade Fidelis Nweke thanked Governor Okowa for the extra-ordinary strides of setting aside a specific day, December 14th yearly, to honour and celebrate the Civil Society which brings together leaders from all over the State and beyond to have a round table discussions for the good of society, and to as well recognised their sacrifices.
The CSO leaders had earlier embarked on a three days facility tour of legacy project’s of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa travelling through the riverine areas to Sea see what the Delta State Government has done for the people in the riverine communities as well as the people from the oil producing areas.
The tour however afforded them opportunity to see how the Delta State Government through its commission, the Delta State Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has touched the lives of the people, and the Civil Society leaders were marvelled to see how the commission under the watch of Bashorun Askia Ogieh has effectively put to use the 13 percent derivation funds.
Speaking, Alhaji Abubakar B Tafawa Balewa from Bauchi and son of the late former Nigerian leader stated; “What I have seen here in the riverine communities is unimaginable, these projects are not only outstanding and of high quality, the people are happy with them, it shows that the people own the projects and this is how it should be, governance must be by the consent of the people but not an imposition on them”.
On his part, Comrade Fidelis Nweke from Anambra State stated, ” I have come to Ogheye to see a floating market, I went to Oboghoro/Utonlila communities in Warri North LGA and I saw an entirely new communities built with steady light, schools amongst others.
“I was at Okibou-Zion to see a Health and Medicare facility that is better than what we have in Abuja and Lagos. I was in Ogulaha and I saw a World Class Secondary School built, and i am indeed overwhelmed. I think these projects needs greater publicity than what it is getting, this is more than just verifying, it deserves testifying about too”.
The Delta State Civil Society Day and Awards Event is organised yearly by the Delta State Government through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Civic Engagement and Civil Society and it is held by Activist Rex Emojite Anighoro. The year 2022 event witnessed a large number of guests and awardees, including Dr. Adamu Ahmed, the first global President of the Commonwealth Youth Council, Amb Ibrahim Waiya Chairman of the Coalition of Northern States Civil Society Organisations, Comrade Fidelis Nweke Secretary to the National Civil Society Coalition, Dr. Funke Opajobi Executive Director, Greater Women Support and Youth Development Initiative, Alhaji Abubakar B Tafawa Balewa of the Sawaba Movement, Comrade Timothy Afolabi of the World Peace and Climate Change Diplomatic Organization.
Star Awardees included Bashorun Askia Ogieh, Managing Director of Delta State Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Hon. Kelly Oghenekevwe, Executive Director, Delta State Internal Revenue Service, Comrade (Chief ) Fred Obe Commissioner for Energy, Deacon Okezi Odugala who emerged as Civil Society Man of the Year and Amb. Augusta Impact Keneboh who emerged also as Civil Society Woman of the Year.
Highlights of the celebration was the advance cutting of cake by the Civil Society leaders for the 84years old Dr. Newton Jibunor, a renowned environmentalist and Desert Warrior whose 85th birthday comes up on the 1st of January 2023.