Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has received “Outstanding Governor of the Year Award (Job Creation)” from Daar Communications Limited.

At a colourful ceremony held on Saturday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Daar Communications, owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT), RayPower FM and Faaji FM, observed that “Governor Okowa is a man whose life has been dedicated to public service.”

“Despite the economic challenges that greeted his assumption of office, Governor Okowa has displayed remarkable resourcefulness, resilience and strong managerial acumen as reflected in the spread of infrastructural projects across the three senatorial districts, employment generation and notable transformation in the education sector,” organisers of the event said.

They noted that “in less than four years, his administration has embarked upon 357 road projects, comprising 1,056.15kms of roads and 352.78 km of drains; also, his administration has trained and established 4,253 young graduates in their choice enterprise, while 16,081 others have been trained and empowered to grow their businesses.

“Under him, Delta State was in 2017, ranked number one among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in human capital development by the National Competitive Council of Nigeria.”

Speaking shortly after receiving the awards which was presented by Mrs Tosin Dokpesi, Governor Okowa dedicated the award to Deltans, saying they gave him the opportunity to serve.

According to the Governor, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Rt. Hon. Ovie Agas, “This award is specially, dedicated to God and the good people of Delta State who provided the platform for service because, to us, governance is all about service.”

Some Deltans who were interviewed at the occasion including the Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah; Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Chiedu Ebie; and Director General of the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Commission, Dr Ben Nkechika, noted that it was a well-deserved award.

“This is a testimony and evidence to what we know and the world now know it is the truth that Governor Okowa has done very well in serving Deltans; I am happy today that everybody can testify that this government has performed and as the Commissioner for Information, I am happy that my job has been made easy, the world is aware about the performance of the governor; they are all saying congratulations but, they have not seen the best of Governor Okowa, in the next four years, it will all be thanksgiving, thanksgiving and thanksgiving,” Chief Ukah said.

To Mr Ebie, “It is good when you are recognised and appreciated for the work you do especially when such recognition is unsolicited; the good work of our governor have been recognised and I can confidently say that haven worked closely with Governor Okowa for three and half years, the man is prepared for governance, so it is no surprise that he has done remarkably well and he is being recognised for his good works, as a person, I feel fulfilled.”

On his part, Dr Nkechika stated: “We have a good Governor in Delta State, he has done well and the next four years will be great in our state.”

Some of those who received awards at the event included another Deltan, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu (Minister of the Year); Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; OVATION Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu; Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; as well as governors Ibrahim Dankwambo, Kashim Ibrahim Shettima, and Nyesom Wike.

•Photo by Jibunor Samuel shows Secretary to State Government, Hon. Ovie Agas (2nd left); Delta State PDP Chairman, Barr. Kinngsley Esiso (left); Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah (2nd right); Commissioner for Economic Planning, Kingsley Emu (middle) and Delta State Micro Small and Medium Enterprinum, Mrs. Shemite Bello, during the 3rd Daar Communications Award Night, at International Conference Center, Abuja.