HE is fondly called ‘Ekwueme’ by close associates and when he signaled his intention to contest through consultation; he felt the pulse of the masses. Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa was aware of what the journey entails, that there will be friends and distractors, that sycophants and jesters will come on board, that traitors and fair weather friends will be there, just as there would be committed disciples.

Despite all the trials to derail him, he successfully steered his ship of purpose to the wharf and showed leadership that his ambition of leading Delta is not based on sectional or premeditated interest but service. The hall mark is his humility, open heart to accommodate all irrespective of political or ethnic background. Okowa has shown quality leadership as Uduaghan’s successor and all he needs is the support of the ethnic nationalities in the state.

As the wee hours of power slips away, Uduaghan will reflect on life after power, mistakes made and decisions not taken, consolidation of programmes and policies beyond 2015. This is because the Law of continuity sustains life and we must use the past to project future. However, as Uduaghan returns home, he is assured that his laudable programmes will be sustained under Okowa.

Sen. Okowa having worked under Ibori and Uduaghan is aware of the task ahead. He understands the grave economic situation in the state, the worrisome state of unemployment, youth restiveness and ethnic mistrust; he knows the fate of federal industries in the State like D.S.C Ovwian–Aladja, N.P.A ports in Warri, Koko and Burutu, and others. Fate of state owned firms like Bendel Steel structures, Asaba textile mill, Delta glass Ughelli, Bendel farms situated at Aviara and Warri, and privately owned firms like Delta timber and industry (D.T.I) Burutu, African timber and plywood (AT&P) Sapele and several others. The state relies today on crude Oil and any government that wants to navigate its people from poverty and want cannot be do dependent.

This propelled him to christen his economic programmes ‘prosperity for Deltans’ in diversifying the economy to create wealth.  Like his predecessors, he understands the importance of education to national development and sees enhancing polytechnics and technical colleges as bedrock for technological growth. Creating jobs through sustaining economic policies, these steps will advance and sustain infrastructural development.

Agriculture is critical to Okowa’s food production, wealth creation and industrial growth; in curbing rural-urban migration, reviving defunct Isoko farms established by Ogbemudia and reviving the Agro-business sector. Okowa’s priority is sustenance of palm farms to encourage palm oil production and provide raw materials for industries. Cassava development to provide food and raw materials for flour, baking industries and ethanol, animal husbandry to provide food and raw materials for leather industries, fish ponds and incentives to fishermen, poultry to provide eggs and protein. These policies will revamp the economy and create jobs to consolidate the Delta beyond oil initiative.

Okowa see’s health as wealth, he understands the importance of health to growth and economic development, without good health, policies suffers. In consolidating, Okowa intends to sustain good policies and put in check mechanism to make our doctors and health workers respond to patients in love and care. Considering the population and economic relevance of Warri, the Warri central hospital will be a centre of excellence and transform the Oghara Teaching hospital.

As Governor, he will through legislature give every Deltan a Universal health insurance scheme to consolidate the gains in the health sector. Take inventory of health institutions and internal visitations with a view of improvement, training health personnel, engaging health community workers. Equipping state hospitals as centre of excellence will be sustained. Pregnant women, children and the aged will enjoy free medical services.

Okowa will sustain steps taken in education and improve discipline and professionalism, sustain free education and provide knowledge required for modern day ICT-driven global challenges. Our Universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, technical colleges will receive qualify staff, infrastructure and equipment to sustain the Delta beyond Oil initiative.

There is no gainsaying the danger environmental pollution poses to health, aquatic life, social, and economic livelihood are grave. To this end, there will be synergy directed at waste disposal management, erosion, flood control, land degradation and redressing incessant gas and oil pollution by multi-national oil companies. There will be legislature to curb pollution that threatens health and economic activities.

Public sector will partner with private sector to create virile civil service where full potentials are developed through efficient recruitment and capacity building.  Affordable housing for Deltans through: (a) Articulating a housing and management policy to deliver sustainable housing programme. (b) A master plan to develop major towns and settlements to develop residential, commercial and industrial estates.

(c) Use the ministry of housing, local government and related agencies like DDPA and DESOPADEC to improve housing (d) engage the private sector in the investment of housing.

Peace and security a priority considering the fratricidal Warri crisis and the need to avert future occurrence, in sustaining peace Okowa will combat crime with intelligence gathering. Collaborate with various communities, police, and traditional rulers. The Delta State stake-holder’s forum will be established to generate ideas and discussions on how to avert threat to peace. Okowa administration will complete existing projects, embark on roads, bridges, flyovers, and give Warri, the economic capital of the state and Asaba the political capital its rightful place. In sports development, the success of past leaders will be sustained and new heights achieved, establish a games village, and resuscitate a culture of sports from primary to secondary schools.

Sen. Okowa had several underprivileged children from several ethnic groups Urhobo inclusive, that he cares for and many aged parents across the state since he started his public service, these are testimonials of a detribalized statesman. The many shades of congratulations as a result of his victory are expected but knowing who Sen. Okowa is, he will prefer all to pray for him, join him in the task of developing the state.

This is how to reward the toil, sweat and labour of Deltans who voted him as their Governor because we need a leadership that will transform our diversity into strength of unity.

Mr. Prince Abugo, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.