“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”.– John C. Maxwell

DELTA STATE has been described as a mini-Nigeria. This assertion stems from the fact that she is endowed with five major ethnic groups with divergent nationalities but similar culture and traditions. The Aniomas are mostly Ibo- speaking with variegated idiolects; Ijaws are entirely graced in the water land; Isokos and the Itsekiris are domiciled in the south while the Ijaws and the Urhobos are embedded in the central. It is such a union of complementary love and affection that has been a unifying factor for a state created in 1991 from the old Bendel State.

The socio-political climate since the inception of the state has tended to hone its leadership between the central and southern groups; albeit not by any pre-arrangement or organised influence from anyone within or outside the state. The state capital has been situated in Asaba, in the Anioma area, and that initially was a fear factor of marginalisation and neglect which has given way to respect and appreciation of the good nature and friendliness of the Ibo-speaking kith and kin. The call for equitable distribution of leadership capacities among the various ethnic groups got the ears and hearts of majority of all concerned. This led to the emergence of Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, physician, senator and distinguished technocrat who had served as Commissioner and subsequently, Secretary to the State Government under the outgoing Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.

In those years, Okowa learnt the ropes of statesmanship, building friendships across the nooks and crannies of Delta; served meritoriously with undaunted humility and candor. The soft-spoken administrator with distinctive managerial skills has touched the lives of several communities whom he has affected without fear or favour, but with the sagacity of his God-given humane spirit that triggers the uncommon affection that follows his reception in the aftermath of the gubernatorial primaries.

Okowa exhibits tenacity of purpose, diligence and leadership skills. Delta State, with a population of about five million people living in 1,509 communities and divergent in class, culture and creed is the gateway to the Niger Delta region. It, therefore, craves for leadership that understands the basic needs of a people who are amongst the golden goose that feeds the Nigerian nation but are spuriously denied a better future by the attitude of a federal system that refuses to accept the derivation principle.

Delta State yearns for a discerning and character-dependent leadership that derives from the 11 schools of leadership: understanding the needs of the people and working out solutions; receiving and dissemination of accurate and practical information, knowledge and understanding of the resources available to the people, leadership by example, measures to control the people affectionately, counseling of the people, efficient representation of the people, planning of the future of the people, critical evaluation of the response of the people, sharing of leadership with the people and ultimately, manager of variant skills of the people.

Okowa , more than all the other candidates in the race for the Unity House in Asaba demonstrates a versatile and thorough knowledge of intra and inter-personal understanding and application of human relationships , and the true meaning of the social contract in governance. His SMART agenda focuses on wealth creation through capacity building for all, industrialisation through manufacturing and agriculture.

Establishment of a sound and modern healthcare structure that improves on traditional health systems as well as introduction of modern well-equipped and trained personnel who can stand out in today’s comparative health advantage. He was born and raised in the village and appreciates that the vast arable land in Delta can make us the food basket of our nation and thus create employment. He is firmly committed to providing quality education with unflagging dexterity. The essence of education is to inculcate moral and social upbringing in order to make cultured members of the society.

Okowa is aware that the basic foundation of education is the first six years of school where distinctive memory is sifted from talent and pupils develop various skills. As kids in the 1970s, we could write letters and speak “Brighter Grammar”; those days will return. Furthermore, in realisation of the inadequate provision of placement for students of Delta State origin in tertiary institutions for skilled development, he has set up a think-tank that is working out modalities to assuage this inimitable problem.

Undoubtedly today, Okowa stands tall amongst his fellow contenders as primus interperes. This is the true moment when effective decision becomes the point of departure from indolence to excellence. Let our thumps speak in our favour.

It is all we have to bequeath a lasting and impressive footprint on the sands of time.

Mr. Anthony Okonkwo, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.