Governor's Speeches

Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, Wife of the Governor;

His Excellency, Sir Monday Onyeme, the Deputy Governor, and your Wife, Her Excellency Mrs. Catherine Onyeme;

His Excellency, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, the immediate past Governor of Delta State, and Dame Edith Okowa;

His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan CON, former Governor of the State, and Mrs. Roli Uduaghan;

Traditional Rulers, community leaders, and the good people of Delta State.

Consequently, the new administration will seek to deliver on the strategic MORE Agenda (Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, Enhanced Security) for all citizens.

In furtherance of these objectives, the existing entrepreneurship development programmes will be sustained and expanded to encourage the creation of more small-scale businesses, thus creating jobs and, consequently, reducing crime and anti-social activities among our vibrant youth population.

We will also enhance the existing social investment programmes for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable groups, including widows and People Living with Disabilities, through microcredit, training, and business networking. We shall further develop empowerment programmes for women associations, particularly in the rural areas.

This administration will ensure the completion of all ongoing projects - roads, bridges, schools, and other physical infrastructure. As you all know, government cannot do it alone. Hence, we shall build a conducive environment for public-private partnership investments in virtually all sectors of the economy.

In the agricultural sector, we shall develop the agricultural value chain, which is a major driver of sustainable economic growth. This administration will spare no effort to ensure that the development of agro-industrial parks is accelerated, given their potential to generate employment opportunities, create wealth, reduce unemployment, and improve food security.

The recent approval of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), for Koko and Kwale is a welcome development because this project has the capacity to unleash the growth potentials of the State. With the Board already in place, we shall immediately take steps to make it fully operational and attract investors to the zone.

Furthermore, Warri, the commercial nerve centre of the State, will be given special attention under this administration. The process has already commenced with the establishment of Warri, Uvwie, and Environs Development Agency (WUEDA). Before the ongoing Storm Water Project will be completed, government will commence efforts at giving Warri and its environs a total facelift. Similarly, the ongoing rehabilitation work on the Warri Township Stadium will be expedited.

The Civil Service will be accorded top priority to boost its efficiency and enhance its service delivery. In addition, merit will be the yardstick for elevation into top management positions to encourage the entry into and retention of the best brains in the public service. Furthermore, this administration will render all the necessary support to the judiciary to enable it carry out its functions without let or hindrance.

I pledge to run an open and responsive government that meets the needs and aspirations of our people. I represent consolidation and advancement; consolidation because I am continuing from where the previous government stopped, and advancement because I am advancing Delta State to greater heights in inclusive economic growth, human capital development, infrastructure renewal, and peace and security. I am committed to making life richer, better, and more fulfilling for our people.

Your Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori;

Your Excellency, Sir Monday Onyeme, the Deputy Governor, and Your dear wife;

Your Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan CON, former Governor of the State;

Rt. Hon. Speaker and members of the Delta State House of Assembly.

Let me begin by congratulating the commissioners who have just taken their oath of office. You are among the privileged few from the list of other eminently qualified persons. I must confess that to arrive at this list was a very tasking and painstaking process. It took weeks of extensive consultations, rigorous scrutiny, and consensus building to arrive at the final list of commissioners.

To support public servants and manage resources effectively, we are introducing a new rotational working schedule for public officers across state departments.

This schedule will be implemented on a rotational basis: The first batch will work Monday to Wednesday, and the second batch will work Thursday to Friday to ensure fairness and equity. The schedule for officers from salary grade Levels 15 and above is to be worked out by the various MDAs as it is suitable for them. However, staff on essential services must be on duty while working remotely is also encouraged. The other arms of government - the judiciary and legislature - are to work out their modalities as they deem fit.

This rotational schedule will roll out in batches across MDAs: Ministries in August, Hospital Management Board in September, Higher Institutions in October, and Post Primary Education Board in November.

As commissioners, you must show dedication, transparency, and grassroots inclusion. We expect you to bring your best ideas to the table as we deliver on the MORE agenda for all Deltans.

Your Excellency, Sir Monday Onyeme, the Deputy Governor;

Your Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of the State;

Your Excellency, Sir B.S.C Elue, former Deputy Governor of the State;

The Deputy Speaker and members of the Delta State House of Assembly.

I welcome you all to this ceremony, and congratulate Dr. Kingsley Emu who has just been sworn in as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and Senator Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariawodo who is now Senior Political Adviser.

The office of the Secretary to the State Government is the administrative engine room of any government. It requires meticulous coordination, executive focus, and structural follow-through. Dr. Kingsley Emu brings a wealth of experience in economic planning and public sector coordination that will ensure our MDAs run at peak efficiency.

Similarly, Senator Aguariawodo's legislative background will help bridge communication between local government and executive offices, ensuring realistic reforms are carried out across all local communities.

Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, Wife of the Governor;

His Excellency, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, the immediate past Governor, and Dame Edith Okowa;

His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan CON, former Governor of the State;

Fathers of faith, traditional rulers, and citizens of Delta State.

It is my joy and pleasure to commence my tenure with this Praise Night. I commend His Excellency, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the wisdom to institute this annual praise programme in celebration of God’s majesty and power.

Psalm 67:5-7 states: “Let the people praise thee, O God; Let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; And God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him.”

We dedicate this administration to the service of God and the security, development, and peace of all Deltans home and abroad. Let us work together and leverage our strengths to make the Delta State of our dreams a reality.