Francis Sadhere
The Federal Government College, Warri Old Students Association (FEGOCOWOSA), Class of 72/74, has given Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State a top class award for his giant strides as a Governor.
The Class Captain, Dr. Frank Samayin, who presented the award to the Governor on behalf of the old students, said Governor Uduagan has done very well in his three point agenda of peace and security, human capital development and infrastructures.
The Symposium/Awards ceremony which took place at the Governor’s House, Warri, yesterday, witnessed the gathering of Old Students of class 72/74.
Responding to the award, Governor Uduaghan who dedicated the award to the glory of God, said that whatever he has become in life was made possible by God.
While thanking his alma Mata for the award, the Governor said that all that he has been able to do so far in the state was made possible because God has put him in the position to do those things, adding that God can also do it for anybody.
He said; “First and foremost I have to thank God for reconnecting all us here after so many years. I want to tell you that I am where I am today because God is able. He has done it for me and he will also do it for you. God provides for you so that you can be able to touch the lives of other people. I do not like the word charity because it is a boastful word. It is God that made it possible for you to be where you are today.”
On the state of the Federal Government College, Warri, Governor Uduaghan promised to give the school a face lift.
Earlier, those who spoke at the symposium identified corruption, climate change, population explosion, global warming, gender, poverty, terrorism, migration, artificial intelligence, security, unemployment, water shortage and lack of sanitation, as some of the challenges facing the 21st century.
Dr. Frank Samanyi (Class Captain) harped on the need for the people to take their destiny in their hands, adding that Nigeria lacks visionary leaders who are dedicated and self-sacrificing and want to enforce change in the society.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Barrister Thomas Okpaku who spoke on various issues said the world is faced with the issue of natural disaster, excessive population growth, water shortages, destruction of life in the ocean, mass famine in poorly organized countries, the spread of desert, pandemic aids, extreme poverty, and growth of shanty cities.
He added that; “We cannot survive the climate change at the rate we are going. Non-state actors with extreme weapons, eg Boko Haram are challenges of the 21st century. Terrorism, nuclear or biological weapons are becoming easier to build by terrorist organization, political groups or individuals who are not acting for a given state.”
While adding that Nigeria needs strong institutions and people who desire change, Dr. Samanyi insisted that for the country to move forward it needs a strong industrial base system where emphasis will be laid on production rather than consumption.
Also speaking, Prof. (Mrs.) Christy Okolo, called for a long term plan of a good social security arrangement that can provide jobs for the teeming youths, noting that more men needed to be put in jobs to avoid the security problem we are facing in the country.
