By Festus Ahon
OSUBI—OSUBI community, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State wore a festive look on Friday, May 4, 2018 when the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori empowered over 250 persons across the Okpe State Constituency with buses, cars, tricycles, grinding machines, deep freezers, hair dryers  with power generating sets, cash, among other things worth millions of naira.

Photo of some of the empowerment items doled out by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori to his constituents

The event, which had dignitaries from all walks of life including Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, national and state legislators and top government functionaries in attendance, was widely applauded by his constituents as Nigerian electorate are often abandoned, forgotten and neglected by political office seekers after elections.

It would be recalled that on 11 September, 2016, ever before he was elected Speaker of the House, Oborevwori who represents the Okpe Constituency also empowered his constituents with items worth millions of naira.

Obviously, he is one of the very few political office holders who is rewarding and appreciating his constituents for trusting him with their mandate to represent them in the State House of Assembly.

In the history of political representation, the Okpe people have never had it so good. Until Chief Sheriff Oborevwori came on board in 2015, the people never enjoyed good democratic dividends, especially from their state legislators.

Addressing the people during the empowerment programme held at the Osubi Trade Fair Centre, Oborevwori said: “My  election is a social contract between me and the good people of Okpe State Constituency.

My election

“I was elected on 11th April, 2015 to represent the Okpe State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly. And by the special grace of God and the benevolence of my colleagues in the House, I was elected Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly on the 11th May, 2017.

“In the face of the glaring reduction of the state revenue, both from federal allocation and internally generated revenue, our Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa was able to manage the state funds to ensure even spread of people-oriented projects across the 25 local government areas of the state.

“For us in Okpe Constituency, it has been harvest of projects. A large number of people-oriented projects have been executed in the area including constituency projects.” He added that “227 Okpe sons  and daughters have benefited with starter packs presented to them upon completion of the programmes.”

He said he secured Housemanship for medical officers, admission into higher institutions within and outside Delta State, employment into the Delta State Traffic Management Authority, DESTMA, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Delta State Online Training sponsorship; Distribution of Transformers to communities etc.

“It may interest you to know that since my election into the Sixth Assembly, I have placed some of our constituents on various sums of monthly stipends and allowances. I must emphasize that prior to 11th September, 2016, when I did my last constituency briefing; I empowered some leaders and Party faithful financially across the constituency.

“The programme we are witnessing today is in fulfillment of my promise to always appreciate you for your support for me, our great party, the People’s Democratic Party and our amiable Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

“Today, some number of persons will benefit from the empowerment programme. The items for the 2018 Empowerment are four  cars, 20 buses, 20 deep freezers, 10 tricycles, 20 hair dressing saloon components including 20 generator sets”.

Others are; “40 grinding machines, 500 wrappers  and headties, 30 sewing machines, scholarship scheme for secondary and university students and financial assistance to traders.

“I urge the beneficiaries not to waste this seed being sown in their  lives today.  If you are diligent to cultivate what you are getting today, it will germinate and bear more fruits. Touch your dreams now.

“Sheriff Oborevwori Foundation will kick-off the Scholarship Scheme in September 2018. The Foundation will eliminate the grey areas associated with my previous practice of giving out cash directly to students without records or verification. For clarity sake, 80 per cent of the scholarship will go to indigenes of Okpe Local Government Area and 20 per cent for non- indigenes. The scholarship scheme will kick off with an initial sum of N10 million.

“I wish to reassure you all of my continued effective representation at the state legislature. We can only continue to crave for more development of our constituency by working together and speaking with one voice.”