By Olorogu Okiemute Oviri Okwagbe

With an unalloyed and total commitment to serving his  people  spanning over decades through his highly esteem position of  honour and responsibility without blemish, as well as maintaining high record of integrity, and untainted  rectitude, the Delta State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Arthur  Okowa, a trained medical Doctor and astute politician, no  doubt, has demonstrated true spirit of   leadership to  the people of Delta State.

Governor Okowa has contributed its own quota to nation  building. From the time he was elected into Ika local  government area as a Chairman, Okowa, did not leave any one  in doubt that he was ready for the challenges of a  statesman. With an amazing humble disposition, Okowa, served  in the Chief James Onanefe Ibori’s government as the  Honourable Commissioner for Health. Because of his strong  passion for helping people, Okowa, unknowingly, warmed his  way into the heart and the consciousness of the people  due  to his all embracing and pragmatic leadership approach.

He  built strong bond and bridges of friendship across the  ethnic divides which culminated in the strong support he got  from the Urhobo people and other ethnic group in   the  race to succeed governor Ibori at the twilight of his  government. Of course, we all knew what happened at  Ogwashi-Uku, when delegates threw away tribal sentiments to  support the Ekweme of the universe. But the leadership of  that    time had made up their minds and so it was that he was to  wait for another day. The rest as they say is now  history.

The Okowas at home

Again, it was the element of humility in him that compelled him to serve as the Secretary to the Delta  State government under the regime of Dr Emmanuel Eweta  Uduaghan, a professional colleague and the man many believed  he defeated at the Ogwachi-uku primary.

As the Secretary to the Delta State government Okowa was  selfless in his service to fatherland. His commitment to  service blended with strong passion for result and  unenviable humility further endeared Okowa to Deltans and  cemented his place in history. After serving one full tenure  with Uduaghan as SSG where he distinguished himself Governor  Okowa felt the need to taste action at the federal level,  this time not at his usual terrain of executive service but  at the national assembly as a policy maker. And so Okowa  turned his energy and administrative sagacity into making  important laws for the people of   Nigeria at the Senate.

Governor Okowa is a man of principle. His integrity, he will  not compromise for anything.

He has said, he will fight corruption, the cankerworm that  has eaten deep the fabric of our nation and destroyed its  root for growth. We know he will do this with professional  excellent and operational efficiency. He will show  leadership when it is required but will not neglect his oath  of office and betrayed the confidence of the people of Delta  State that he has sworn to serve. Okowa is a man of the  people, deeply love by many. His fan base cut across ethnic  divide.

This was evidence in the 2015 gubernatorial election  in Delta State, where despite the fielding of very strong  Urhobo candidates, a segment of Urhobo political elite said never again as they turned their votes to support those of  Aniomas, Ikas, Ijaws, Isokos, Ndokwas, and host of other  ethnic group to give Okowa, a deserving victory both at the primary and the general election. And since his election and  subsequent swearing in, Okowa, has never disappointed in  character and official    conduct. His policy trust reflected the passion of the man  for ethical altruism. His appointments into key executive  office   were perfect and that has eroded the fear of  domination and oppression entertained by the other ethnic  groups in the state.

Governor Okowa will surely leave an indelible imprint when  he would leave office after serving his two terms of 4 years  each. The power, purpose, focus, drive and speed with which  the governor conduct his official duties is a reflection  of   a character ready to do all he can at meeting  the   huge expectation of Deltans. Of course, what do we  expect from a governor divinely call to service? It is  progress and the rapid development of the state. But we must  realise that the governor cannot do it alone. We all must be  involved in the course of growing the Delta economy, promote  our cultural identity, sacrifice for the state and support  the governor at all time.

Our amiable governor does not need  distraction. He needs one hundred percent concentration and  Deltans should be ready to give this support. As we gather  from different work of life to celebrate our iconic  political leader and the father of our state at 56, it is my  fervent prayer that God in his infinite mercy will continue to shower his blessing on our  dear governor. God will give our leader the wisdom of  Solomon to lead the state .In my humble disposition I say  happy birthday and many happy returns to our amiable governor, political leader and oga wen sabi. I also want to  use this opportunity to appreciate our dear mother Chief  (Mrs.) Edith Okowa who stood behind our political leader  like a solid rock doing all the prayers behind and lending  all the psychological support to motivate our oga to the  top.

• Okwagbe is the Esama of Ukpedi Kingdom and a chieftain of the PDP in Delta State.