Chief (Dr.) Henry Ogheneochuko Ofa (JP), is erstwhile DESOPADEC commissioner whose exemplary administrative landmark has become are sounding miles tone in the history of DESOPADEC and Delta State in general. He is a stalwart of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP,
administrator par excellence whose knack for the development and growth of the society has earned him numerous accolades. In this enlightening interview with journalists at Oghara, Delta State, he praised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for starting his government on a solid and progressive platform, citing the SMART economic prosperity agenda of the governor as a welcome development. Ofa described the recent appointment into the board of DESOPADEC as a welcome development, saying that the new structure of the commission was aimed at making more progress in the development of the oil bearing communities in the state, even as he rated his administration as
DESOPADEC commissioner very high in terms of his novel and groundbreaking achievements. Excerpts:
Sir, you are no doubt a dependable voice in the politics of Delta State. From the look of things, Delta State can be likened to a complex state with regard to the political make up of the state. What is your candid advice to Governor Okowa that will guide him as he steers the ship of the leadership of the State
I will say that going by the present development with regard to the appointment that has been made by the Governor so far coupled with his drive to achieve the objective of the SMART economic prosperity agenda, the government has not disappointed the people of Delta State. As you may know, our visit to the Ohworode of Olumu Kingdom, is a thank you visit to the Royal Fathers from Delta Central for their support towards the victory of our party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP during the last election in the state, and to tell them that the present government has done well in respect of the political appointments it has made currently whereby Delta Central benefited largely from the appointments which no doubt justifies the confidence we repose in governor Ifeanyi Okowa. I advise the governor to continue with the good work he has begun. No doubt, he has started well and I believe if he maintains this tempo, the sky will be his spring board to unquantifiable success in his administration. I must commend the governor for the take-off of his entrepreneurial scheme with the first batch accommodating about 700 unemployed youths who are undergoing
training in various skills. In addition, the governor has assured Deltans that his government would sustain the free education programme in the state. This is a good policy.
The former structure of DESOPADEC has been tampered with by the government of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. Do you think the new structure will put the commission on better pedestal to making progress as against its former structure?
I have no doubt that the new structure has a lot of benefit. You will recall that the previous board of which I was a member had taken DESOPADEC to a level in terms of its developmental initiatives, but with this new structure which is more representative in nature and rooted in the grassroots, I believe more dividend of democracy is a certainty. You will recall that the previous board was made up of about ten persons, but by the new structure, about 13 persons are on the board. What it means is that the new structure promises more opportunities for growth and development. The fact that these appointees are representatives of various segments of the state, it is logical to believe that more dividend of democracy will be achieved by the present board. It is common knowledge that if 10 persons could achieve that much in the former structure of DESOPADEC then 13man board in the new structure stands to achieve more in all ramifications.
Some persons may not be convinced that increase in the number of persons on the board of DESOPADEC would engender performance. What is your opinion?
The calibers of persons that have been appointed into the board of DESOPADEC are goal getters, tested and credible hands. For instance I know the Managing Director, Chief William Makinde very well, he happens to be my elder brother, a chartered accountant and a seasoned administrator. He is very careful and thorough in all his dealings. By the content of the credentials of Chief Makinde, his appointment as Managing Director of DESOPADEC is a case of putting a square peg in a square hole. I believe his achievements would surpass our achievement in the past administration.
At this present political dispensation, what height are you taking your political career?
I look unto God to decide, I am a young man, a growing politician indeed. I am happy about my achievements and commitment to the development of my people, Deltans and Nigerian at large. I will say without equivocation that if given any appointment or saddled with the responsibilities of any office, I will deliver good leadership for the good and development of the people. I will always create an avenue for that office to be viable in all respects in replica of what I had done in DESOPADEC. It will interest you to know that in the history of DESOPADEC, I was the only commissioner that successfully built three administrative offices in three local government areas namely Okpe, Sapele and Ethiope west which were under my administration. No commissioner has achieved this feat. I believe my administrative acumen will be a huge asset for me when I am saddled with any responsibility of leadership in the future. I have a sincere belief that by God’s grace I will not be left out in the stream of appointments in the state because I did credibly well in my last office.
Going by your celebrated performance in your last office, coupled with your loud and committed support for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa during his campaigns, of which you coordinated your area and canvassed for votes for him during the election, Deltans expected that by now your name would have been listed among the commissioners. What is your went wrong?
As I have always said, appointments are still going on, as events keep unfolding in time, I know my name will be mentioned. I believe the people know that I gave my best while in office as
DESOPADEC commissioner, and did perform greatly in the development of my people and the local government areas under my administration. My activities are exemplary in all facets of development, including the media where I strongly promoted the former government and the current government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, during the pre and post election periods.
Right from your quality days as DESOPADEC commissioner, you have been a media friendly personality with a developmental psyche. At present, what level of relationship are you going to maintain with media?
My relationship with the media will continually be cordial. It is important to say that if I intend not to maintain a cordial relationship with the media, surely, I will not grant your team this interview. Recently, you may have heard my voice on the radio and television speaking on developing issues. I will maintain and sustain friendly relationship with the media always. “I am a media person.” I
know the importance of the media, with the media, you can achieve most great things and your name will be celebrated all over the world. It is my wish that the new DESOPADEC team maintain good relationship with the media as the media remain the prominent vehicle through which the
activities, projects and achievements of DESOPADEC could be showcased and communicated to the world. I succeeded in doing that in my mandate area while I was in office as DESOPADEC commissioner and people then thought it was only in my mandate area DESOPADEC exists.
