Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area in Delta State, Rt Hon Victor Ofobrukueta has expressed his deepest congratulations to a former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori as he clocks 64 years on August 4, 2022.
Ofobrukueta, who is the immediate past Leader of Ethiope East Local Government Legislative Arm, in a congratulatory message made available to NewsNet Nigeria described the former governor as a leader with a big heart filled with love and passion for the sustained development of Delta State.
“Chief James Ibori, the ODIDIGBORIGBO as he is fondly called did set the stage for a modern Delta through his unprecedented development initiatives dotting the nooks and crannies of the state.
“When he held sway as governor of Delta from 1999 to 2007, Ibori demonstrated huge courage in the pursuit for a better deal for the people of the state and Niger Delta region in general through famous Resource Control which he championed leading to the approval of the 13% Derivation Fund for the region and later the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as well as development agencies,” Ofobrukueta recalled.
The Ethiope East Council boss noted that Chief Ibori deserves all the accolades as a worthy leader who committed himself to engender peace and harmonious relationship amongst the various ethnic groups in the state.
Ofobrukueta, a pharmacist noted that: “The former governor (Ibori) took over the mantle of leadership of Delta at a time the infamous Warri crisis was at its peak, yet he was able to navigate the troubled waters to bring to an end the feud among the warring ethnic groups.
“Ibori remains a pathfinder, a dogged fighter and goal-getter and one who has continued to demonstrate a strong desire for the indivisibility of Delta State.”
“I warmly congratulate him for adding another year to his age and pray God to continue to grant him good health, sound mind, wisdom to continue to offer his best to the people of Delta state and Nigeria in general.
“He (Ibori) remains a political colossus and a pride to the Urhobo nation. We will not stop standing by him as God Almighty continues to strengthen and uplift him for the good of humanity. A big congratulations, Your Excellency.”
