Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has sworn not to neglect Asaba, the state capital, or any of the other communities in the Delta North Senatorial District, in his developmental programs.
Governor Oborevwori made the promise during the 99th birthday and 32nd coronation anniversary ceremony of the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien.
While congratulating HRM Obi Edozien on his double celebration, Governor Oborevwori, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, acknowledged his disposition as a bridge-builder and as a peace-loving monarch.
‘’There is no doubt that your reign has witnessed the transformation of Asaba into a cosmopolitan city. Thanks to your peaceful reign, Asaba is home for all. I want to reiterate that my administration will consolidate and improve of the legacies of the past administration.
‘’Today, Asaba is wearing a new look, the look of a proper state capital and this is curtsey of the great work done by the immediate-past governor and my mentor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.
‘’I want to reassure HRM Obi Edozien, and the Anioma nation that Asaba will not be neglected under my administration. As the state capital, Asaba will continue to receive priority attention. All ongoing projects in the city and its environs will be completed while new ones will be initiated.
‘’However, I wish to appeal to all residents in the state capital to be vigilant and report any suspicious person or activity to the relevant authority. We must be careful not to allow the things that we enjoy in this beautiful city to be truncated by forces masquerading in any form,’’ Oborevwori said.
Earlier the monarch and celebrant, HRM Obi Edozien, reflected on some events that shaped his life in the field of medicine and academics where he scored many firsts at very young ages.
The revered monarch called on President Bola Tinubu to encourage equal representation of all stakeholders in his government. He held that the Anioma nation and the South-south geopolitical zone was grossly underrepresented in the scheme of things, even when it made the most sacrifice as the nation’s economic blood.
‘’We have a commitment to gather together and ask ourselves, why are we underrepresented? We continue to be a minority in this country but when it comes to making sacrifices for economic development, we become a majority. This must change’’ HRM Obi Edozien said.
Among the dignitaries that attended the monarch’s 99th birthday was the immediate-past governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by commissioner-designate, Mr. Charles Aniagwu; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Gwor; and the President of the Asaba Development Union Worldwide (ADUW), Chief Epiphany Azinge (SAN).
Why I Renovated Ogwa Ukwu Ahaba——Ezenyili
CHIKA KWAMBA
Indigenes of Asaba, Delta State Capital, have lauded the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Hon (Dr.) Kelvin Ezenyili for restructuring the Ogwa-Ukwu (Central Town Hall) into an ultramodern edifice.
The commissioning ceremony of the central town hall was attended by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme; the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; the immediate-past governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, among other dignitaries.
Remarking at the event, Hon Ezenyili expressed his gratitude to the state government for supporting local governments in reaching the grassroots, even as he underscored the centrality of the town hall to the traditional activities of the Asaba people.
‘’The Ogwa-Ukwu is over 100 years, and it is a central meeting place for the traditional institution of Asaba. In the past, it was a place of reception for important dignitaries in the Asaba kingdom.
‘’Currently, the Ogwa Ukwu is the parliament in Asaba traditional government. It is the office of the Otu-Ihaza, the body akin to that of the legislative arm of government.
“The initiative to reconstruct the Ogwa Ukwu Ahaba was born out of my desire for community development, infrastructural development, and developmental governance.
‘’Noticing the deplorable state of the place and how flooded it was whenever it rained, I sought the approval of the Palace which was approved by our father, HRM Obi Edozien.
‘’Upon his approval, the team of the Local Government Council visited the place and came up with a redesigned Ogwa-Ukwu which was presented to the council and was adopted and ratified.
“The project included reconstruction of the Ogwa Ukwu, land scalping, tiling of the entire premises, complete furnishings, installation of electricity, and a provision of a 40KVA generator,” Ezenyili said.
Additionally, he mentioned some of the efforts of the LGA on youth and women empowerment, peace and security, environmental sanitation, primary health care, and infrastructural development.
Other initiatives of his administration include the introduction of an automated system for identification, partnering with the private sector to improve the economic development of the area, engaging youths as environmental marshals, and establishment of an environmental court to prosecute offenders.
Ezenyili appreciated his team and the advisory council for putting so much work to complete the Ogwa-Ukwu project within a short time even as he expressed his gratitude to the past administration for believing in the youths.
Similarly, the member representing Oshimili South LGA in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, applauded the immediate-past governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, for setting the pace for others to follow.
Meanwhile, the Oshimili South LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ogbueshi Dada Okonji, commended the efforts of the Council Chairman to develop Oshimili South beyond where he met it.