By Francis Sadhere

Delta State immediate past Commissioner for  Transport, Hon. Ben Igbakpa has charged Deltans, particularly from Ethiope West Council Area of the State to remain united as one indivisible entity, calling on their sons and daughters in politics to develop the area.

Hon. Ben Igbakpa and his family at the reception after the Thanksgiving.

Hon Igbakpa who gave this charge  recently during his 50th birthday thanksgiving ceremony held at First Baptist Church, Ovade, Oghara, noted that one can only help his people when one is in power, urging  his people  to always support those in power so that development can spread in the area.

He asked for forgiveness from those he might have wronged in the cause of carrying out his duty, imploring them to put all grievances behind them and forge ahead  to make the Ethiope West a great area.

The former commissioner, who came from a humble background to become a commissioner in the state, expressed gratitude to God for what he has done for him so far and for attaining the golden age of 50 years.

He commended the former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori for bringing him to political limelight and for making him to become who he is today, praying that Ibori should come home safely and sound.

Hon Igbakpa attributed his success in the State to former Governor Ibori, saying  he will forever remain grateful  to him.

He  also commended Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the immediate past governor of the state and his wife, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan for the support and the opportunity they  gave him to serve the state.

Igbakpa who was saddened by the current strike by staff of the Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara, appealed to the striking workers to reconsider their actions and try and go back to work, lamenting that many people were suffering and dying because they cannot get access to quality health care in the area.

Speaking at the church ceremony, wife of the immediate past Governor of the state, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan called on Deltans to give their life to Christ, stressing that the end of the world was near, hence the need for people to draw closer to God.

She said without God in people’s life, their lives will be meaningless, adding that people should not be preoccupied with amassing wealth because they will not carry those wealth to the kingdom of God.

While commending Hon. Igbakpa for celebrating his birthday in the house of God, she charged him  not to lose focus in life and continue doing his good works for his people.

On his part, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, while congratulating Hon Igbakpa and his family described him as true general and a man of the people.

Governor Okowa enjoined all Deltans to support the state government, saying that the state government was not unmindful of the hardship they were going through.

He said despite the economic hardship in the country, the state government has been able to manage the scarce resources for the benefit of all Deltans.

Also speaking at the ceremony,  Chief Ighoyota Amori said that Hon  Igbakpa who has made a significant impact in the life of his people, has every reason to celebrate his golden age.

Chief Amori disclosed that former governor Ibori will spend his next Christmas in his country home, Oghara, adding that the former Governor  will ever be respected in the state because he made almost all the crop of politicians in the state.

He said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is still one of the biggest political parties in the country even though they are not the ruling party.