…as Tambuwal, Ihedioha, Obaseki, Secondus describe occasion as unique.
By Christopher Odamah Asaba
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on Monday, July 8, 2019, celebrated his 60th birthday with physically-challenged people.
The celebration which took place at the Event Centre, Asaba was unique as alot of physically-challenged persons were present to celebrate with His Excellency.
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, Governors of Sokoto, Imo and Edo States, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Sir Emeka Ihedioha and Mr Godwin Obaseki respectively in attendance. Also, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jona, who represented Governor Seriake Dickson at the ceremony and also the former Governor James Ibori, former Deputy Governors of the state, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) and Chief Benjamin Elue.
Those who spoke at the occasion described the celebration as unique, noting that Governor Okowa is humble, focused and patient.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal, “Governor Okowa will remain the humble servant of the people; he is a good husband and a father, a gentleman, very honest and unassuming.”
“I congratulate the people of Delta for having him as Governor for a second term, and his decision to celebrate the birthday with physically challenged people is in his characteristics of giving hope to the hopeless,” Gov. Tambuwal said.
According to Sir Ihedioha, “Governor Okowa is calm to a fault but, you can only underestimate him to your own peril; he is also, a very humble man and we commend him for celebrating his birthday with people with disabilities. “
The Governor of Edo State, Obaseki was also, full of praises for Governor Okowa tracing his achievements to when he was a student of the Edo College, Benin City.
Former Governor James Ibori described the governor as a prayerful personality who believes that he cannot record success without God.
“I congratulate Governor Okowa; I thank God for your life; I thank God for your humility and we pray God will continue to uplift you because, I do know that you do everything with a clear conscience; continue to take decisions in the interest of humanity,” the governor said, adding, “you can be firm when it requires firmness and you can be fair when it requires fairness.”
Governor Okowa in his speech, thanked the organisers for making it a pleasant surprise, disclosing that his intention was to celebrate the birthday solely with people who are living with disabilities
“I want to thank God for keeping me alive; my mother died at 43 and growing up to attain 60, I thank God,” the governor said and used the occasion to thank his wife, Dame Edith and their children.
The Celebrant disclosed that he decided to celebrate his 60th birthday with physically challenged people because, it was not their decision to be disabled, assuring that his administration will continue to pay special attention to their affairs.
