By Festus Ahon

The Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general elections and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Thursday, promised to pay close and sustained attention to the development of the Nigerian creative industry and welfare of the practitioners if elected Governor.

Oborevwori who spoke at a Town Hall Meeting with members of the Delta State Creative Industry, in Asaba, said he would inspire members of the creative industry with his M.O.R.E Agenda through incentives and the continuous enabling environment to promote their skills and talents.

He said: “While you perform your noble creative duties of providing entertainment and education to the society, my administration by the grace of God, will assist you to create wealth and self-fulfilment towards enhancing your destinies. Also, I will ensure the provision of jobs and opportunities to discover more talents and hone their skills”.

“Today, we are all familiar with the exploits and impacts of Deltans in the fields of movies, music, comedy and related performing Arts. Whether by human endowments and tourism potential, our dear state is easy to pride itself among the 36 states of Nigeria as the unbeatable entertainment hub.

“We have a very long list of Delta-born actors, musicians, comedians and other creative industry practitioners in Nigeria. In fact, we will not leave here today if I begin to mention their names one by one.

“The population is huge and everywhere. Hence the popular saying among our people is ‘Delta nor dey carry last’. A befitting recognition and tribute to the leading role of the state in the entertainment and tourism sector in Africa’s largest nation.

“The creative endeavour including the film industry popularly called Nollywood has brought so much pride and glory to the nation in local and international circles. It is a fact that Nollywood for instance ranks second to America‘s Hollywood and ahead of Indian Bollywood in the global film industry.

“It is one of the biggest non-oil sectors of the economy with annual revenue estimated at about $7 billion dollars according to statistics by the International Monetary Fund, IMF. Your individual and collective contributions to the socio- economic development of the nation and Delta in particular are truly worthy of commendation”.

Oborevwori who is also the National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria,
used the opportunity to express gratitude to members of the Delta Creative industry for their immense support to the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

He said: “My profound gratitude goes to you for helping to provide valuable entertainment and at the same time grow the economy of the state, while exercising your God-given talents. Happily, it has been a most fulfilling and mutually beneficial relationship between you and the state under the visionary leadership of Governor Okowa who has remarkably provided a conducive environment for the creative industry to blossom.

“The recent historic opening of a massive entertainment and tourism centre, Maryam Babangida Film Village and Leisure Park, Asaba, is a vivid example of governor Okowa’s bold commitment to the development and growth of the creative and tourism industry.

“The Maryam Babangida Film Village and Leisure Park is so beautiful and comparable to globally recognized entertainment and tourism hubs. This intervention has placed Delta State on the world map as the headquarters of Nollywood”.

He reminded them of the candidacy of the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate to the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the forthcoming general elections and also told them of his candidature.

“M.O.R.E is my social contract with Deltans and non – Deltans living in the state. The M.O.R.E Agenda will build on Okowa’s Stronger Delta agenda, which has ensured outstanding achievements in infrastructural and human capital development in all parts of the state. I therefore humbly solicit for your huge support in my ambition to become the next governor of Delta State, which is a divine project. On my honour, I urge you all to support me for greater peace and development of the state.

“I will ensure fairness and equity, peace and progress of all , while making accessibility my watch word. I have the ability, experience and background to serve and make Delta greater. God has given me so much grace.

“I am the longest serving speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. For about six years now, I have enjoyed the goodwill of my wonderful colleagues in the House as we have all worked peacefully together, under my leadership,to make the Delta legislature the most stable and vibrant House of Assembly in Nigeria.

“You are famous and influential stakeholders in the society, as strong highly visible personalities. My plea is that as role models, you should join in our positive campaign to mobilize the masses to vote for me and indeed all PDP candidates from the presidency, to the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly. My humble request is that you help to sensitize our people to vote PDP 5/5.

“Today, Nigerians are in agony under the failed All Progressives Congress,APC government. There is severe hardship, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, fear and gloom everywhere.

“You can all testify that our nation was far better and safer in terms of living conditions of the people, when the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, was in power. The PDP is the only hope to rescue Nigeria from the negative government of APC which has totally destroyed our economy.

“Join us to rebuild Nigeria and reclaim her lost glory. Let me conclude with all sense of modesty and responsibility that, I have performed creditably well as Speaker of Delta state House of Assembly with the active support of my colleagues. I therefore solicit your collaboration as influencers in the society and pledge to serve faithfully as governor”.