By ELOHOR AGBRA
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta yesterday won the Niger Delta Best Governor of the Year (Skill/Human Capital Mobility) Award, while Dcn. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, the Deputy Governor of Delta State emerged Niger Delta Best Deputy Governor of the Year (Most Inspiring, Grass rooted and Community Based) 2020 Award by GbaramatuVoice, a multi-media organisation in the Niger Delta.
At the Award Ceremony which was held at the Presidential Hotels Port-Harcourt, Gov Okowa, who was represented by his Deputy, Dcn Otuaro said he was delighted and overwhelmed by the amazing gesture of Gbaramatu voice that has stood tall in its reportage of topical issues in the Niger Delta region for the past five years.
Gov. Okowa described the theme of the programme as apt as development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, giving the fact that Nigeria is a mono economy and whatever threatens it’s peace will undermine progress.
The Governor advised Nigerians particularly those in the Niger Delta to expand the frontiers of integration and cooperation.
According to him, “the laudable efforts of our national and sub-national government to diversify our oil and gas based economy into Agriculture, science and technology education, solid mineral development and so on, have been insignificant.”
He said consequentially Nigeria remains a mono economy, so whatever threatens the economy affects our very own existence as a people. This brings to the fact that the phenomenon of peace and security in the region cannot be over emphasized.
“I want to enjoin us all in the Niger Delta to ensure that we build this phenomenon of peace in the region.
I believe very strongly that the justice we seek in our political, social and economic space cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of chaos”.Okowa stated
Highpoint of the event was the cutting of anniversary cake.
Elohor Agbra
S.A Media to the Deputy Governor.