By Alex O. Atawa-Akpodiete
Last Friday, the Events Centre on Okpanam Road, in Asaba Delta State was filled to the brim and overflowing, as Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, swore-in twelve (12) new Commissioners, ostensibly to help him actualize his five-point agenda, known as SMART and also generically referred to as Prosperity for all Deltans.
I am sure the governor has realized that the honeymoon period is over, Those of us that worked for his election want to see proofs in actions. We want to be reassured that we did not traverse the twenty-five (25) Local Government Areas (LGAs) for nothing. As though he has read the minds of many supporters, the Governor immediately gave the newly appointed Commissioners their respective portfolios so that they can hit the ground running.
The newly sworn in Commissioners and their portfolios are: (1) Barr. Mrs. Mary Iyasere (Commerce and Industry); Hon. John Nani (Environment); Dr. Kingsley Emu (Economic Planning); Chief James Augoye (Works), Mr. Vincent Uduaghan (Transport); Mr. Newworld Safugha (Energy); Mr. Joseph Ogeh (Housing); Sir. Fidelis Tilije (Water Resources Development), Rev. Mrs. Omashola Williams (Women Affairs); Mr. Austin Chikezie (Agriculture and Natural Resources); Hon. Joyce Overah (Science and Technology) and Mr. Chiedu Ebie (Basic and Secondary Education).
In his speech after swearing in the Commissioners and Special Advisers, Okowa acknowledged that government is not a one man’s job, which means he needs helpers. Even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ when he embarked on his mission here on earth, enlisted twelve Apostles. We hope the twelve Apostles will carry Okowa’s gospel of Prosperity for all Deltans to all the nooks and crannies of the State. We also hope there will be no Judas amongst them, as the State cannot afford a betrayer at this time.
I will restate Okowa’s SMART agenda, which means, Strategic Wealth Creation Projects and Provision of Jobs for all Deltans; (2) Meaningful Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political and Social Harmony; (3) Agricultural Reforms and Accelerated Industrialisation; (4) Relevant Health and Education Policies; (5) Transformed Environment through Urban Renewal. In my article some weeks back titles, “How Smart is Okowa’s SMART Agenda”, I stated that the Five-point agenda is clearly achievable. Although achievable, the right hands must be on the saddle.
The government has also started well with the new empowerment schemes. The six (6) schemes rolled out by the governor in less than thirty days in office are as follows: (1.) Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP); (2.) Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP); (3). Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP); (3) Capacity building for farmers, youths and extension agents in partnership with Syngenta Company; (4). Tractorisation; (5). Extension of Microcredit and Agricultural Loans; and (6). Development of Agro-industries. We hope as the forms are turned in (through traditional rulers, LGA Chairmen and House of Assembly members), there is no discrimination or mismanagement as Nigerians are prone to do with laudable projects.
Later in his ministry, Jesus Christ hose at least seventy (70) other disciples and sent them out in twos. Governor Okowa also named three additional Special Advisers to be sworn-in at a later date, but swore-in the following Special Advisers: Bro. Emmanuel Ogidi (Rural Development and Peace Building); Sen. Emmanuel Aguariarvwodo (Infrastructure and Housing Development); Rt. Hon. Martins Okonta (Land Resources and Legislative Matters); Hon. Pascal Adigwe(National Assembly Matters and Inter-governmental Liaison) and Comrade Mike Okeme(Labour Relations).
We await the next batch of Commissioners and Special Advisers. However, our eagle eyes are focused on the current appointees. We give the benefit of the doubt to the Governor about those he selected and the portfolio he decided to assign to each of them. In this first batch of Commissioners, there were some old faces that have been tested and tried, while there are a few new ones. No one can probably challenge the qualifications of someone like Dr. Kingsley Emu, who excelled in the private sector and was a Former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry. Space will not permit me to decipher his curriculum vitae or that of the other appointees, but time will give us the wisdom of hindsight.
Nevertheless, we will not be exercising our civic duties if we do not watch these new appointees to make sure they either deliver or leave the kitchen which is already hot. To borrow Okowa’s own words, “it is no longer business as usual.”
We hold his excellency to his words. He has promised to prosecute any Judas (saboteur) in his administration and to curb corruption. Deltans should also know that government cannot do it alone. Do we have the courage to report corrupt practices to both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related offenses Commission (ICPC)? A famous person once said that we should start with ourselves individually, if we want change. Think about it!
Rev. (Prof.) Atawa-Akpodiete, a public Affairs Analyst and media Consultant, writes from Asaba. Contact him on 08138391661 or Profatawa@gmail.com
