By Michael Tidi

It was President Barrack Obama while campaigning for his first term, who told his supporters: “We are the ones we have been waiting for; we are the change we seek!” In many ways, Delta State Governo  Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa  can be validly situated within the context of a long awaited leader of pan-Deltan credentials and trans-generational appeal;  in other words, the sort of chief executive the state yearned for.

Exceedingly humble, unassuming, forthright, modest, reliable and dependable, Governor Okowa’s political career is a comprehensive yet coherent lesson in consistency. This particular configuration of the Governor is widely attested to not merely by word of mouth by his supporters and associates but more importantly by the unprecedented level of loyalty with which they keyed into his gubernatorial ambition in spite of overwhelming and overbearing inducement to turncoat and jump ship. As a politician, myself, I would consider Governor Okowa as simply put, the politicians envy. It is truly remarkable that so many Deltans across every ethnic nationality remained firm and focused in the realization of his ambition in what panned out as a determined effort to stand by a true friend and dependable leader their consciences simply would not let them turn against. Yet in many ways, nothing ever comes from nothing in politics and coming to terms with Governor Okowa’s towering profile necessitates situating his appeal within the context of a man who having given so much was reciprocally rewarded with goodwill by his teaming support base.

For many Deltans across the state’s senatorial districts and local government areas, Okowa’s final emergence as Chief Executive of Delta  was  long anticipated and indeed long overdue.  Given his eminent qualification for the task and the enthusiasm with which Deltans had awaited his mounting the saddle of executive leadership in the state, it was not at all a surprise except that it was still pleasantly surprising that against all the odds, he eventually made it into Government House to the candid delight of citizens all across the state and Deltans resident elsewhere.

Okowa

It is of course too early in the day to assess the Governor’s performance given the young age of the administration.  Nevertheless, one thing  Okowa cannot possibly be accused of is starting slowly or not hitting the ground running. Okowa obviously came prepared with a clear grasp of his mandate and an impressive familiarity with what Deltans expect of him. Rather than grope in the dark or retreat behind excuses, the governor from day one took charge, displaying firm leadership and embarking on his duties with exceeding maturity that can only be borne  from experience.

Thus in an era in which it is seemingly becoming fashionable to owe workers’ salaries, Governor Okowa had paid within his first few days on the job in what later panned out as a truly remarkable first thirty days in office. Within this period, the Governor had reiterated his pan-Deltan mandate by demonstrating his sterling detribalized credentials with a clear cut determination to develop the entire state while carrying absolutely all Deltans along regardless of class, gender, ethnicity and even political leanings.

By virtue of his background in medicine, Governor Okowa would appear to be professionally programmed to be cautious, painstaking, detailed and meticulous. He does not merely look it but actually exemplifies these indispensable qualities of real leadership capable of delivering genuine dividends of democracy to all Deltans. While what we have seen so far from him already shout decibels for his SMART Agenda, we must all remain prayerful that the good fortune that has come our way as a state with the emergence of a listening Governor must not be undone by the forces of ethnic hatred and politics of bitterness that have long been our undoing. As our preferred Governor marks his 56th anniversary, it is with utmost confidence in the destiny of our state under his leadership that I most heartily wish him Happy Birthday as one voice in concert with a thunderous ovation from a cross-section of fellow Deltans.

• Tidi wrote from Warri.