BY VICTOR EYAGUOBOR / ETATSEMI ONORIODE
This administration of Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa/Otuaro has recorded three and half years in office. Yes it is true, that this administration of Governor Okowa has less than one year in its first term to wind off, yet by my calculation it has recorded an unprecedented breakthrough.
Nigerians should not be in hurry to forget. At the very beginning when the Governor mounted the saddle of power at government house. It was never a moment of boom, rather the Nigerian economy at that time was in a serious recession which was gradually going into depression. The future of the country then was dark. Serious economic danger was in the air. Every hope was lost. No one knows what will happen the next hour or day. We were not at war, yet the scenario presupposes the country was at war threat, a very big one for that matter. What baffles me was the manner and wisdom our dear Governor Senator Okowa managed to handle the situation at that turbulent moment. The situation then was such that everything still went on smoothly despite the many economic hiccups that characterized the early beginning of their regime. The governor rose above board and in his usual characteristics manner continues to put smiles on the faces of Deltans.
It was the same wisdom God gave him which invariably played out in his choice of Barr. Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro. The Governor in a public function in Warri, Delta State, once said “the choice of my deputy, Barr. Deacon Kingsley Otuaro is divine”. Barrister Otuaro popularly called by his admirers “Pastor praise God” did not just emerged by party’s choice, his emergence as the deputy Governor was divinely ordained by God. A careful observation, you will discover that the Okowa’s led administration is that which has the blessings of God. Therefore, the man though human, can never make any major mistakes since he has the backings of God and a wonderful deputy by his side.
He started well by making Otuaro his choice of a deputy and since then, he has never regretted his action like some Governors in the past had experienced in other states. To put the record straight and to remind Nigerians and Deltans in particular, when this administration came on board on May 29th, 2015, the first major assignment of Barrister Kingsley Otuaro was his oil and gas advocacy committee which he piloted into the creeks and villages within the Niger Delta region. His advocacy committee members met with leaders, youths, women, the youths, men to dialogue on the way forward for peace. Another wonderful result oriented advocacy committee was the Edo/Delta Boundary committees also headed by the amiable deputy, where he has also doused all tensions arises from the communal clashes amongst communities in the bother line of both sisters state. On 17th July, 2018, both state governments met at Government House, Benin City headed by the Deputy Governor of Delta State and his Edo State counterpart, where a far reaching decision was also reached on the final road map to permanent peace in the two sisters’ state. What wonderful leaders we have.
The wisdom of Governor Okowa in instituting this committee, paid off as Otuaro and his team were able to douse the tension in the Niger Delta region. Remember the incidence of the avengers at that time. Tensions were high, pipelines were blown off on daily basis across the breadth and length of the Niger Delta region.
The major pipeline of the forcados and Escravos loading bay where the Nations crude oil is being exported was blown off and for months, the Nation suffered untold hardship for this sad experience which the avengers caused the Nation. I may not blame the avengers for their actions, because they may be fighting for their legitimate rights.
Today, the country is back on track. The oil price is going up once again. Those guys that were agitating for their rights have left the creeks. The peace that was brokered in the Niger Delta region was orchestrated by Barrister Otuaro and his group.
The peace move though initiated by the wise Governor, but his deputy put a final touch to it with his good counsel. Nigeria now know peace and steady progress. Not many will know that this was the handiwork of the deputy governor and his team. The country is moving very steady at a geometric progression in growth and progress. Kudos to Otuaro and his advocacy committee that made this possible. Nigerians owe him and his group great debt of gratitude for their wonderful feat. They have made the country proud again.
Another wonderful commendation the deputy governor deserves from Deltans is in the area of peace resolution amongst communities having traditional rulership titles. He has since assumption of office waded into many troubled communities and resolved issues arising from power tussles of who and who should be the next king and who not to be. Within the period under review, he has been able to hand over staff of office to many traditional rulers, thereby gazetting them into the council of traditional rulership in Delta State, thus peace has crept into all the communities in Delta State at a geometric progression. The least of his achievements is endless.
The Deputy Governor and his team should be supported by all and sundry for more results to be achieved so that there could be a lasting peace in the country. This type of advocacy committee should be constituted in all parts of the country where there is crisis so that for once, the entire country can be peaceful for us all.
No wonder this body, “Society for Peace Studies and Practice Nigeria, South–South Zone” conferred on him an award (FSPSP) for his outstanding contribution towards peace building in the entire country.
During the event at the KFT centre in Warri, Delta State, personalities like the Governor of Delta State, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, former Information Minister, the Chairman of the Public Lecture/Book presentation in honour of his Excellency Barrister Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro at 50 years, Prof. Olawale Isaac Albert who presented a keynote address and the guest lecturer, Navy Commander Walter Feghabo (Rtd) former Military Administration of Delta State, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan – former Governor of Delta State and many others who gave their good will messages on the deputy Governor, applauded him for his wonderful peace overture that has calm the nerves of the restive youths.
Those in authority, the high, the low in the society, all sang the praises of the deputy Governor. He is a man with outstanding qualities that both the poor and the rich cherished so much. If you are in doubt of his characteristics, a visit to Okere prisons in Warri will convince you. The inmates in this prison love him so much because of his humility, selflessness and benevolent spirit towards them. Here in this prison, they know him as “Pastor Praise God” since he is also at their chapel to worship God and as well shower gifts on them.
Members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri Branch will tell you more of their member, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro in their respective interview, they maintained that the choice of Otuaro for the deputy Governor slot was never a mistake. They explained that he is the kind of personality who has the milk of human being in his heart. His thinking, they added is on how the next person on the street could eat well and get better.
Barrister Esimitoje Edison Akpojotor, remarked that his bossom friend and classmate at the University and law school Barrister Kingsley Otuaro is a selfless personality who thinks of others progress and not himself. “I am not surprised when he was chosen by the party as the deputy Governor because, this position is just the beginning of his career”. I have no doubt in my mind that he will become the Governor of the state one day. He has more than what it takes to become the Governor. Governor Okowa made the right choice by picking him as his running mate. Thank God you my friend know that His Excellency Okowa can not fail Deltans with his able deputy working side by wide with him.
He added, “you can see for yourself, their government has already succeeded for just three years in office come to look at it if they are giving the same opportunity to run the state for eight good years, don’t you think the state will turn to a little London? As we speak, the state as a whole is now a construction site. Salaries are paid promptly and regularly. Everything moving on accordingly, what more are we looking for”? Otuaro my friend is a man of peace. He is a man of prayers and progress just like his boss the Governor. The state will therefore continue to work better with Governor Okowa and him Otuaro at the saddle of leadership”.
Engr. Ufuoma Imonisa said of Otuaro, “this man our deputy Governor, is such a meek and gentle human being, I have ever seen in my entire life. He is too humble to a fault. If not for his security men around him, you hardly believe that he is the deputy Governor because he is never a proud person. He associates with everyone he comes across, the poor or rich. I want to believe that the Governor’s success in three and half years is also attributed to his (Otuaro) qualitative leadership and God-fearing disposition. He confronts all burning issues with prayers. Then tell me why would Delta State not succeed when both himself and the Governor have God as the head of their government.
Mr. Samson Okeke, a youth leader in Warri added, my love for the party PDP in recent time is increasing because of the quality job Barrister Otuaro and his boss are doing across the state. They have taken Delta State to another higher development. Everywhere you go there is this general peaceful atmosphere. The incidence of kidnapping, robbery and other dangerous crimes has reduced significantly in the state. “The peace committee headed by Barrister Otuaro has brought peace to the entire state”, he added.
All those who spoke to the press in their respective interview, affirmed that team Okowa and Otuaro have performed excellently well in three and half years, therefore they should be given another opportunity to run the state for another four years after their first tenure because of their good works.
