28th August, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Asaba
Governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa, has admonished the people of the state to explore all avenue to remain united and committed to the development of the state.
Okowa gave the admonition on Thursday in Asaba the state capital during an inter-denomination thanksgiving service held to mark the 24th anniversary of the creation of the state.
He noted that the people deserves to celebrate 24 years of oneness, peaceful co-existence and progress, urging all Deltans to engage more on actions that will strengthen the unity of the people of the state.
“This is the time to build peace in our state, it is time for us to be more united for the common good of all Deltans,” Okowa said.
The governor who assured the people of the state that his government was open to constructive criticism and suggestions on the way forward in the interest of the state, also emphasised that the fear of God by the people would bring about speedy development and unity.
“Wherever you find yourself, fear God, keep his commandments and you will excel, if I and all office holders fear God, nobody need to tell you to be dedicated, you don’t need to be fraudulent, you don’t need to condone ghost workers.
“Times are hard but if we fear God, we will be able to manage our lean resources for the development of our states and of our people,” he reiterated.
The governor who noted that the downward turn of oil resources have thrown up a new challenge for governments in the country, hence the need to diversify the economy, however called on the people not to relent in partnering with his administration in delivering the needed democratic dividends.
“The Lord is teaching us a lesson that we cannot depend on oil alone for revenue, we are developing other resources of the state, we have inaugurated the youth empowerment programme at Songhai-Delta, Amukpe and I want to assure you that the Songhai-Delta cannot be idle throughout my tenure and the graduates from the empowerment programmes will become entrepreneurs and employers of labour because the youths need to be re-directed to become employers of labour,” he declared.
“I have always asked God to help me take decisions for the greater good of the state, because every decision you take some people will be happy others will be sad but l believe that our decisions will always serve the general interest of the people,” the governor said.
Earlier in a sermon at the service which was presided by Bishop Justus Mogekwu of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Gideon Oyibo, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Delta State said that the fear of God should be the bedrock of everybody in position of leadership so that the prosperity for all Deltans initiative can be achieved.
He stated, “the fear of God will make us always remember the consequences of God’s judgement, in all our dealings we will be more dedicated and honest with our fellow men and the state and of course, the revenue and resources of the state will improve and attract quality execution and costing of projects.”