Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme have been sworn in as Governor and Deputy Governor of Delta State amidst cheers from millions of Deltans and non-Deltans who thronged the Stephen Keshi Stadium, the venue of the inauguration ceremony.
The epoch-making event which began at 10:45am was attended by top government functionaries within and outside the state, political, religious and traditional leaders and captains of industries across the country.
First to subscribe to the relevant oath of office at exactly 11:30am before the State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Diai, who administered the oath, was the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme.
Then Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori as Governor immediately after that of the Deputy Governor at exactly 11:50am.
The oaths taken were then followed by a National salute, parade and inspection of the Guard of Honour mounted by a detachment of men of the Nigeria Police Force which was his first official assignment as Governor of Delta State.
In his acceptance speech after subscribing to the relevant oaths, Oborevwori said he is in a social contract with Deltans and that he will vigorously pursue with all sense of responsibility and determination to succeed.
According to Oborevwori, the day marked the beginning not only of a new administration, but an era that will advance Delta State to greater heights in people-centred policies, human capital development, and infrastructure renewal.
He said with what has been achieved by the immediate past administration, the new government is poised to ADVANCE the state through the MORE agenda, which stands for Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms and Enhanced peace and security.
The Governor explained further that the new administration will strive to Foster sustainable economic growth and private sector job creation, Boost human capital, Build an enabling infrastructure, Enhance governance and accountability systems for improved service delivery as well as Strengthen public financial management.
Oborevwori explained that in furtherance of the 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 the youth population.
He noted that he had accepted with humility the responsibility which the good people of Delta State have bestowed upon him to serve as their governor for the next four years and he has done that with a resolve to do MORE to ADVANCE the State to new heights in leadership and socio-economic development.
Oborevwori paid glowing tributes to the immediate past Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his patriotism and a deep sense of public service, saying that Okowa took over the mantle of leadership at a very precarious time in the history of the country, but with discipline, wisdom, prudent management of the economy, and political insight, Delta State not only survived, but it also came out stronger.
He said he was celebrating Okowa for his fiscal discipline, and groundbreaking strides in human capital development, infrastructure renewal, technical and vocational education, as well as peacebuilding.
Earlier, the former governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa said he was leaving the position of Governor of Delta State with all sense of fulfilment as his administration had impacted positively the state and the wellbeing of the people.
He stated that the state contended with a lot of challenges, including illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, a drop in derivation revenues, choking existing oil-related businesses and a decline in internally generated revenue receipts.
Okowa said it was 8years of trials and triumphs, tests and testimonies and of fighting and courage, even as he expressed gratitude to God for all he achieved as Governor.
The ceremony was attended by the former governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan among other notable Deltans.
