BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) has said, the nation’s 60th independence anniversary is a celebration from the clutches of imperialism and final fulfilment of the struggle of successive generations of Nigerian patriots to establish a free and soveriegn country. He urge Nigerians to work for the sustenance of the country and to have faith in the present administration both at the national and State levels to tackle the diverse challenges of nation building.
Governor Okowa in his independence message to Deltans stated this yesterday in Asaba, during the Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebration held at Cenotaph, Asaba, Delta State.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, noted that, this year celebration came at a time the entire world is under the scourge of Coronavirus which according to him, is a strange, devastating and deadly disease that was unknown to man.
The governor noted that this year festivities are low-keyed owing to the pendemic that has killed over 1,111 persons in the country with over more than 58, 647 confirmed infections. He added that, huge financial commitments have been made in the health sector to provide citizens with new high-performance tools to fight the disease. He said the structures after the current crisis will sustainably strengthen the technical platform of the state and the country.
Gov. Okowa said the nation gratefully remember the freedom fighters whose sacrifices have enabled the people to live in an independent nation. “Our visionary patriots brought together, a diversity of opinions to forge a common national spirit. They were committed to the course of liberating us from oppressive foreign rule and securing the future of our children”. Gov. Okowa stated.
The governor said, inspite of the numerous achievements, the journey to nationhood has not been smooth. He noted that, the nation has had its own fair share of economic and political drawbacks and also it has experienced and grappled with social upheavals of different forms in recent times.
“Let us remember our men and women in the armed forces for their relentless commitment to keep us united and sustain their onslaught against insurgents, bandits and kidnappers in the various parts of the country. We should appreciate and pray for these service men and women who have continued to stand up to those who have inexcusably taken up arms against our dear country. We should equally reach out to families of the fallen heroes and heroines”. Gov. Okowa state.
He called on all to be mindful that, warfare, armed conflicts, insurgency, banditry, terrorism and kidnapping have never solved any problem instead, they exacerbate issues and situations. He noted that dialogue, unity, love and peace are the penacea to growth and development of any society.
Gov. Okowa while urging Deltans to continue to cooperate with his administration by ensuring that they play their part as law abiding and hardworking citizens, said his administration when it came on stream, promised prosperity for all Deltans.
According to him; “By this promise, we mean we will empower Deltans to become employers of labour and not job seekers. This we did by establishing the Job Creation Scheme, aimed at training, supporting and promoting micro, small and medium scale enterprises, which would trigger off sustainable economic growth, social inclusion and even development in the State”.
“So far, the State government has trained and established 27,214 graduates directly through technical and vocational education and agriculture.” Gov. Okowa stated.
He noted that through the Job Creation Scheme, over 6,450 unemployed youths have become business owners across the various skills such as agricultural production and processing, food packaging, information and communication technology, catering, event management. Others he said includes, beauticians, tilling, plumbing and electrical installation among others.
The sucess of the job creation programme according to the governor is felt beyond Delta State as the National Bureau of Statistics rated Delta State second to Lagos as the least poorest State in Nigeria. “This implies that majority of people living in Delta State live above the national poverty index. The report said; Lagos State has 4.50 per cent poverty head count rate and closely trailed by Delta State with 6.02 per cent. We are still working very hard to improve on all that we are doing as we realise that we are not yet at the place we want to be”. Gov. Okowa stated.
The governor also reel out other modest accomplishments by his administration in road construction spanning over 450 roads and drainages. He noted that, the biggest achievement is in the area of flood control in Asaba, the State capital where multi-billion naira storm drainage contracts was awarded to check the perennial flooding. “As at today, the whole of DLA, Okpanam road, DBS road, Raph Uwechue road and several others including the Okotomi area of Okpanam, have been rescued from the annual flooding ritual. Encouraged by the successes recorded in Asaba storm drainage project, we awarded over N3 billion contracts for the construction of storm drainages in Warri, Uvwie and environs to check the perennial flooding in the oil city. Work is in progress”. The gov stated.
Gov. Okowa said the state in the last five year have modernised the health sector by upgrading facilities at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital at Oghara as well as launching the Contributory Health Scheme for all Deltans with government paying for Under 5, pregnant women and the elderly in the society.
He urge all during the celebration to pay homage to those who fought to free the country from colonialism and to dedicate the 60th independence anniversary to unity, peace and security of the country.
The 60th Independence Anniversary celebration in Delta State featured March past by men of the Para-Military, men and women from the 25 LGAs, Women Organisation as well as cutting of the 60th anniversary cake.