Michael Tidi
It was President Barrack Obama while campaigning for his first term, who told his supporters: “We are the ones we have been waiting for; we are the change we seek!” In many ways, Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa can be validly situated within the context of a long awaited leader of pan-Deltan credentials and trans-generational appeal or in other words, just the sort of chief executive the state had always yearned for.
Exceedingly humble, unassuming, forthright, modest, reliable and dependable, Governor Okowa’s political career is a comprehensive yet coherent lesson in consistency. This particular configuration of the Governor is widely attested to not merely by word of mouth by his supporters and associates but more importantly by the unprecedented level of loyalty with which they keyed into his gubernatorial ambition in spite of overwhelming and overbearing inducement to turncoat and jump ship. As a politician, myself, I would consider Governor Okowa as simply put, the politicians envy. It is truly remarkable that so many Deltans across absolutely every ethnic nationality remained firm and focused in the realization of his ambition in what panned out as a determined effort to stand by a true friend and dependable leader their consciences simply would not let them turn against. Yet in many ways, nothing ever comes from nothing in politics and coming to terms with Governor Okowa’s towering profile necessitates situating his appeal within the context of a man who having given so much was reciprocally rewarded with goodwill by his teaming support base.
For many Deltans across the state’s senatorial districts and local government areas, Governor Okowa’s final emergence as Chief Executive of Delta State was a long anticipated and indeed long overdue development. Given his eminent qualification for the task and the enthusiasm with which Deltans had awaited his mounting the saddle of executive leadership in the state, it was not at all a surprise except that it was still pleasantly surprising that against all the odds, he eventually made it into Government House to the candid delight of citizens all across the state and Deltans resident elsewhere.
It is of course two early in the day to assess the Governor’s performance given the young age of the administration so far. Nevertheless, one thing Governor Okowa cannot possibly be accused of is starting slowly or not hitting the ground running, a complaint that has gained currency across the nation in the present dispensation. Governor Okowa obviously came prepared with a clear grasp of his mandate and an impressive familiarity with what Deltans expect of him. Rather than grope in the dark or retreat behind excuses, the Governor from day one took charge, displaying firm leadership and embarking on his duties with exceeding maturity that can only be born from experience.
Thus in an era in which it is seemingly becoming fashionable to owe workers’ salaries, Governor Okowa had paid within his first few days on the job in what later panned out as a truly remarkable first thirty days in office. Within this period, the Governor had reiterated his pan-Deltan mandate by demonstrating his sterling detribalized credentials with a clear cut determination to develop the entire state while carrying absolutely all Deltans along regardless of class, gender, ethnicity and even political leanings.
As the medical doctor turned Governor attained his 56th milestone on the 8th of July, the first birthday he celebrated as Governor, he interestingly insisted on a low key affair, preferring to spend most of the day working rather than partying, a clear testament to his resolve to concentrate more on what matters to the average Deltan in these uncertain times of profound economic challenges the entire nation is presently faced with. Nevertheless, the overwhelming outpouring of tributes to commemorate his 56th birthday, from all over Nigeria, serves to underline his place deep in the hearts of a wide spectrum of people both in our dear state and the entire country at large. For me, it is most heartwarming that my Governor is genuinely loved and deservedly respected being the quintessential pan-Deltan leader and Nigerian patriot at a time when certain intelligent people would appear to have withdrawn into ethno-religious enclosures preaching all manner of divisive and hateful sermons in the name of politics.
By virtue of his background in medicine, Governor Okowa would appear to be professionally programmed to be cautious, painstaking, detailed and meticulous. He does not merely look it but actually exemplifies these indispensable qualities of real leadership capable of delivering genuine dividends of democracy to all Deltans. While what we have seen so far from him already shout decibels for his SMART Agenda, we must all remain prayerful that the good fortune that has come our way as a state with the emergence of a listening Governor must not be undone by the forces of ethnic hatred and politics of bitterness that have long been our undoing. As our preferred Governor marks his 56th anniversary, it is with utmost confidence in the destiny of our state under his leadership that I most heartily wish him Happy Birthday as one voice in concert with a thunderous ovation from a cross-section of fellow Deltans.
Michael Tidi wrote from Warri.

Continue with the good work

The light shall not cease in your time.

Milliprime:
Hmmm

Okowa n Uduaghan r all boys 2 Ibori. Drive round Warri n Effurun n u will weep for Delta. Is it airport road? Effurun/Sapele road? Or jeddo/ubeji road. Refuse dumps r taking over bowen Avenue, Okere road and even Ajamimogha road (Uduaghan‘s area). Even d street lights r no more working. God help Delta State