Colleagues, associates, relatives and friends of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori have stressed the need for Deltans to join forces with the new administration in Delta State to ensure peace and good governance in the state.
The groups spoke at a reception organised in honour of Rt Hon Oborevwori at the Event Centre, Asaba, after a Thanksgiving Service for successful inauguration of the new government and the governor’s 60th birthday anniversary.
Those who spoke include Governors of Anambra, Edo, Bayelsa, Oyo and Adamawa states, two former Governors of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Emmanuel Uduaghan, Omoh and Innocent Oborevwori among others.
Anambra Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who expressed delight for making it to the ceremony, said Anambra and Delta states which shares boundaries, have many things in common and great opportunities that would benefit the people of the two states.
While wishing Oborevwori many years of service to God, humanity and Delta State; Prof Soludo called for understanding and support of the people for the new government.
Deputy Governors of Edo and Bayelsa States, Comrade Philip Shuaibu and Lawrence Ehwrudjakpor, who represented their Governors, also highlighted the many derivable benefits of having Delta as a good neighbour and pledged their support to the Rt Hon Oborevwori led administration.
They congratulated Hon Oborevwori for the twin celebrations and urged him to be focused on the task of good governance in the state.
In the same vein, Oyo State Governor represented by the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Debo Oguntoyin and that of Adamawa State, represented by Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, also harped on the need for people’s support and commitment to peace and development in Delta State.
They described Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as a man with the determination to succeed, and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan in their separate remarks recalled their early contacts and dealings with Oborevwori that span almost three decades and posited that the new governor is very much connected to the grassroots.
The two former Governors spoke against any form of distractions as the new administration settles down to delivering more development projects and dividends of democracy across the state.
Others who spoke, including the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr Kingsly Emu, Chief of Staff Government House, Hon Johnson Erijo, and two children of the Governor, Omoh and Innocent Oborevwori extolled the qualities of the former Speaker of the Delta State Assembly, now governor of the state and prayed God for good health and the wherewithal to face the task ahead.
The elated Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori said his elevation to the number one citizen of Delta State would endear him further to every Deltan.
Stressing that promotions come from God, Oborevwori explained that his major focus is to build upon legacies of past administrations in the state to actualise his M.O.R.E. agenda.
While appreciating the consistent support from Deltans, including that from his predecessors and political leaders across the Delta State, the governor called for sustained commitment of all critical stakeholders to the growth and development of the state.
Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Emomotimi Guwor, Deputy Speaker, Arthur Akpowowo, members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, Chief Great Ogboru; Chief Goodnews Agbi, Chairman of Airpeace, Mr Allen Onyema, traditional rulers and a host of other dignitaries also graced the occasion.
The ceremony featured musical performances and rib cracking jokes by seasoned comedians, including Bovi, I Go Die, Gordons, Okolokolo Papa, Frank De Don, among others.