By Norbert Chiazor
I met Governor Sheriff Oborevwori ten days before the end of 2024.
A glance at him revealed something. He has not changed: Lively, energetic and zestful. A frank governor that never hides his feelings, sweet or sour.
In office, it bears joy that Oborevwori is waxing warm. For a man inundated daily with thousands of issues, tedious and trivial, his staying power is stoic.
Simple yet strong, he has good reason to stand and smile.
In a world of fear and anxiety, there is no storm in Delta. Sheriff is managing the people and their problems with unpretentious passion.
Deltans, like most Nigerians, are facing endemic economic difficulties which have existed over the years, but the governor is offering hope above despair.
Asaba, Delta capital remained a safe haven to inhabit for those desperately seeking peaceful homes including Deltans and strangers. That the city is growing in population with people trooping in from all parts of the country and rising in enterprise speaks about the progressive mindset of a leader who understands the value of creating social harmony and conviviality.
I was in Warri days ago. The oil city, along with her twin sister Effurun, is facing an impressive makeover of Oborevwori’s touch.
When the magnificent mega bridges with paved roads are completed soon, both areas and satellite settlements will experience socio-economic boost.
The massive Julius Berger work in Warri axis, unprecedented in grandeur, may not have drawn much attention, but history would someday advertise the nobility of Oborevwori in scaling up to befitting standards the status of one of Nigeria’s most neglected but iconic cities.
Elsewhere the Ode-Itsekiri bridge transversing several communities and Beneku bridge down Delta North have received appreciable respite.
Worth documenting are the completion of the Delta Court complex headquarters at Asaba, the strategic Okpanam -Ibusa road, the first phase of the Emevor-Orogun road, as well spirited efforts on the Ughelli – Oleh- Ogwashi Uku expressway. Across Delta towns and villages, spanning Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ibo, Isoko and Ijaw, projects are visible whether completed or developing.
The Oborevwori administration is providing the essential needs of Delta State University and three others at Anwai-Asaba, Agbor and Ozoro to make them competitive citadels of learning.
Taking governance to the grassroots, each of the 25 local government areas in Delta has a development lifeline of 2 billion Naira in the current state appropriation.
Beyond infrastructure, Oborevwori’s eyes are also on the social welfare of the people he leads.
Figures don’t lie. A record number of over 250,000 persons have been helped to gain footing in entrepreneurship under the state’s D-Cares programme. Various government agencies have recently rolled out grants and occupational tools to aid youths in establishing their businesses and earning responsible wealth.
Delta civil servants are among the most rewarded in the 36 states of the federation. They get their monthly salaries regularly with the new minimum wage implemented. Political appointees get their entitlements. The governor is not indebted.
Deltans, as a people, can see and feel the impact of governance because a sincere leader is in the seat.
With global and national realities, Delta is not Eldorado. No place is all milk and honey except fairyland.
But the good and fair judgement is that Oborevwori is working, winning grounds and hearts. With all modesty, this is marvellous in many eyes as people expect MORE in 2025.
The future fervently points to a prosperous new year.
– CHIAZOR is a two-time Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council and Executive Assistant EA Media to Delta Governor.
