GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state has described urban renewal as one of the greatest challenges facing Governors in Nigeria. The Governor stated this at the weekend when he paid a courtesy visit on the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun shortly after attending a grand reception organized by the South-West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in honour of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to him, serving Governors in the country face urban renewal as one of their greatest challenges, noting that doing it right requires a lot of boldness.
“One of the challenges facing any Governor in Nigeria is urban renewal and it requires some level of boldness to achieve,” the Governor said, noting that carrying out urban renewal involves stepping on peoples’ toes as their houses and sources of livelihood may be destroyed.
He stated that such would be carried out in the overall interest of the people and the state, noting that “even when some people are not happy, everybody will be happy at the end because we are working for the generality of the people and the interest of the state.”
Governor Uduaghan reiterated that the government and people of Delta State are looking at an economy beyond oil and as such, other sectors of the economy are being developed to ensure that they are viable.
He also used the occasion to reiterate that Governors do not work along political party lines, stating that once elections were over, issue of political affiliations are no longer considered because the Governor has a responsibility to work in the interest of everybody including those who voted and did not vote during elections.
Other Governors who joined Governor Uduaghan during the courtesy call included his counterpart in Akwa Ibom, Obong Godswill Akpabio and that of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
Senator Amosun, who won his election on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), stated that the issue of political party lines should end with the end of election, stating that every Nigerian should think about the unity and progress of the country and not political party.
He thanked Governor Uduaghan and other Governors for identifying with him.
…Gov Charges Deltans to Excel And Be Rewarded
DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has challenged Deltans to always excel in their chosen fields of endeavour as the state would continue to reward their excellence.
The Governor gave the charge at the weekend when he attended the 60th birthday ceremony of Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, daughter of Nigeria’s first Finance Minister, Festus Okotie-Eboh, a Deltan.
He stressed that Deltans would continue to be encouraged to excel in their chosen professions while those who are doing well would be commended.
The Governor lauded the roles played by Dr Awosika in the development of the country, noting that her inputs would be appreciated for a long time to come.
He observed that as a civil servant, the retired Permanent Secretary also, contributed to the setting up of some Federal Government agencies in the state.
The birthday celebration was attended by the cream of the society including the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Amosun Ibikunle, the Oni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and the Oba of Lagos, HRH Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I, among other eminent Nigerians.
Dr. (Mrs) Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika, born in Sapele, Delta State, is a Second Class Upper graduate of Pharmacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with an M.Sc in Clinical Pharmacy and Ph.d in Pharmacy Technology from University of Bradford, School of Pharmacy, United Kingdom. She is equally an alumnus of the National Institute of Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, having attended NIPSS Course 28. Her last office was permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Power.