The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has said that the Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly and member representing Aniocha North Constituency, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi succeeded in winning his 2023 State Assembly election where there was no hope, but he fought the battle right from the primaries and won, affirming that it takes the grace of God to achieve such feat.
He made this statement on Sunday 19th November, 2023, while addressing the congregation during the Thanksgiving Mass in celebration of Hon. Nwaobi’s 2023 election victory, successful inauguration into the 8th Assembly and emergence as Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, at the St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral Church, Issele-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to the Governor, “This Thanksgiving is very special to me, in the sense that there is really something to thank God for. As a Governor, everytime I wake up to pray, I always ask God to give me the grace to manage Aniocha North people. What I have seen here today gives me joy and hope that all will be well.
“Hon. Nwaobi in his speech, recognised that he has two mummies who are special to him – Chief Nkem Okwuofu and Chief Barr. Mrs. Ada Kachikwu. Of a truth they both were holding the offering baskets during the Thanksgiving and it is really a good thing to praise God for, because that has been my prayer that there should be peace in this local government area.
“Hon. Nwaobi, you are today the Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly; it is not by your power but the grace of God. You won your election and succeeded in the midst of turbulence. It is only God that can do that for you.
“I said this because you remember that in 2015, you were supposed to be inaugurated with us into the 6th Assembly, but you were not there. But you later joined us when the Appeal Court affirmed your victory. In 2019, you fought hard to get the party’s ticket and won your second election. However, in 2023, it was very tumultuous yet again, but you succeeded where there seemed to be no hope.
“It’s good to give God praise for this young man. It’s the grace of God that has brought you this far. And so, we have not come here for fun, but to thank God. The Bible says, ‘enter into HIS gate with Thanksgiving and into HIS court with praise’. Your victory is worth thanking God for, and that is why, irrespective of my tight schedule, I have to be here to celebrate with you.
“All I will say to you as a progressive humble young man is that you should use your position to bring everybody in Aniocha North together. You really have to unite everybody in this local government area and ensure that there is peace. I want to recommend that you internalise the homily by the Bishop and use the talent and gift GOD has given you to unite your people for political harmony”, Oborevwori advised.
Earlier in his Gospel Message, the Bishop of Issele-Uku Catholic Diocese who presided over the Mass, Most Rev. Dr Michael Odogwu Elue had couched his message from the book of Matthew 25:14-30 which talks about the parable of the talents.
He said a man on a journey had gathered his servants and gave each talents according to their abilities. But on return, while the one with 10 talents and another with 5 talents had invested them and multiplied them in profit measure, the one with one talent kept his own unutilised and instead, accused his master of reaping where he did not sow.
The Bishop in bringing out the kernel of the message, affirmed that every man has one gift or the other from God and must of a necessity maximise the use of the gift for the service of God and benefit of humanity.
He said that every individual must use their talents in line with GOD’s purpose and design for mankind, insisting that the natural gift of GOD must compliment the divine desires of GOD for such to manifest gloriously.
His words, “Hon. Engr. Emeka Emmanuel Nwaobi has used his talents well, not only for politics but in bringing honour and glory to the name of GOD. He has put his name in the annals of history of the State and nation, for being able to gather these galaxy of government functionaries, traditional rulers and other well meaning individuals to attend his Thanksgiving Mass here in Issele-Uku.
“It is most rare to have an immediate past Governor and a sitting Governor attend a church function together in one event. Today, we have Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, including prominent traditional rulers and others here with us. Thank you, Hon. Nwaobi for doing us this honour”, the Bishop acknowledged.
In his simple but emotional Thanksgiving testimony, Hon. Nwaobi gave a synopsis of how he narrowly emerged winner in a primary election contested by 11 aspirants.
He said, “GOD saw me through in that primary election and also gave me victory in a turbulent general election. I can’t thank HIM enough.
“Today, I have come to celebrate the goodness of the LORD upon my life through this Thanksgiving Mass. And I can’t take for granted the honour of having the presence of my lord the Bishop conduct this Mass. I thank everybody who has come to show me love, and I pray that GOD in heaven gives everyone of you a reason to celebrate”, Nwaobi stated.
The reception ceremony was, however, staged in the country home of Hon. Nwaobi where the creme-de-la-creme of the State and beyond was visibly present, and they were sumptuously entertained with enough foods and drinks with a variety of music to spice up the already electrified atmosphere.
The dignitaries included the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Sir Monday Onyeme, Immediate Past Governor, His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Immediate Past First Lady, Her Excellency Dame Edith Okowa, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Okolie, the Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, Secretary to State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Chief of Staff, Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, the Majority Leaders of Edo State, Anambra State, Akwa-Ibom State and Benue State Houses of Assembly, members of the State Assembly and members of the State Executive Council.
Others included the Obi of Issele-Uku Kingdom, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP (MNSE), the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, HRM Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku Kiagborekuzi-1- CON, the 2nd Vice Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Obi Henry Afamefune Kikachukwu JP (PhD), Obi of Umunede Kingdom, HRM Dr. Ezeagwu Ezenwali, other Traditional Rulers, founder of Margaret Lawrence University, Dr. Paul Odili, former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief B.S.C Elue, member of Delta State Advisory Council, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, member of Delta State Advisory Council, Chief Barr. Mrs. Josephine Ada Kachikwu, State Chairman of PDP, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso, Delta North PDP Chairman, Elder Moses Iduh, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice C.N. Ojugbana-Orishedere, Senior Political Adviser, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Chairman of Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, former Accountant General of Delta State, Chief Cyril Agbele, Acting Director General, Bureau of Army Financial Management and Audit, Major General Raymond Ochei, Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, Hon. Kelvin Okwechime, members of the State Chapter of ALGON, the Principal Secretary to the immediate past Governor, Mr. Hilary Ibegbulem, DG of Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah, Managing Partner of Blue Zodiac Nig. Ltd., Mr. Rex Unobukwu, Country Security Manager of Seplat Petroleum Development, Prince Mike Akeh, the CEO of Contemporary Group Ltd, Arc. Kester Ifeadi, renowned journalist, Chief Henry Ugbolue, former Provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Dr. Ignatius Ezoem and others too numerous to mention.