Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, as he clocks 65 years.

In a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor said that Mustapha had remained an amiable and illustrious Nigerian committed to the growth and development of the country.

He remarked that the SGF had had an outstanding performance as a public servant of repute, adding that in his service to the country, he had contributed immensely to efforts at stabilising the polity.

Okowa commended Mustapha, who is also Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, for leading the fight against the pandemic through his coordination of the team

He remarked that Mustapha, an astute lawyer, boardroom guru and politician, was a sublime and gentle goal-getter, who had ingratiated himself to many through his humility and wished him more fruitful years of contributing to nation-building.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate my brother and friend, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, on his 65th birth anniversary.

“You have made invaluable contributions to nation-building, especially with your invaluable coordination of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

“You have also demonstrated a strong commitment to the growth and development of our dear country with your contributions as a distinguished public servant.

“On this special day of your 65th birth anniversary, it is my prayer that God will grant you many more years in good health to continue to render greater service to God and humanity,” Okowa stated.

In another development, Okowa has expressed sadness on the passing of the Commissioner representing Ndokwa nation on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr Ikechukwu Akozor, even as he commiserated with Director-General of Warri-Uvwie and Environs Development Agency (WUEDA), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, on the passing of his mother, Mrs Hannah Macaulay.

Akozor reportedly died on Thursday in Asaba after a brief illness while Mrs Macaulay died on Friday at her Owhelogbo home after a brief illness, aged 88.

In a statement by Ifeajika, Okowa commiserated with Ndokwa people and Aboh community in particular, over the demise of the promising politician and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart.

He said that the departed Akozor was a grassroots politician and loyal party man, who did his best in the service to his people.

According to the governor, the deceased was a thoroughbred politician who worked hard to represent the interests of his people in the Board of DESOPADEC.

He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and grassroots-politician, who passed on shockingly, in Asaba on Thursday.

“The news of his death was shattering. Indeed, Akozor was a gentleman-politician, who distinguished himself in the service of his people as Commissioner representing Ndokwaland on the Board of DESOPADEC.

“As a member of the board, Akozor demonstrated commitment to the course of development of oil-producing communities in the state with his robust contributions.

“It is my prayer that God will grant fortitude to his family and the entire Aboh people to bear the loss.”

In the case of late Mama Macaulay, Okowa in a condolence message by Ifeajika described her as a great woman who did her best to raise her children responsibly.

He stated that her passing at this time was a great loss to her family, Owhelogbo and Abbi communities and Isoko nation in general.

Okowa urged Macaulay, a former Secretary to the State Government and his siblings to take solace in the fact that their mother lived a life of great accomplishments and left good prints in the sands of time.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with my brother and friend, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, on the passing of his beloved mother, Mama Hannah Macaulay.

“The death of a loved one is usually painful no matter how old, and I urge my dear Comrade and his siblings to take solace in the fact that their mother was a devout Christian who contributed immensely to the growth of the church in her Owhelogbo community.

“Our prayers are with you and members of your beloved family in this trying times,” Okowa prayed.