The Publisher, Members of the Editorial Board, and entire management and staff of Ika Weekly Newspaper join the entire deltans in the celebration of the auspicious occasion of the 30th anniversary of Delta State.
Looking at the giant strides and great political and socioeconomic milestones/achievements coming from Delta State created on the 27th August 1991, by the Ibrahim Babangida’s administration, it becomes easy to conclude that there exists reason to show gratitude to God Almighty for the enablement while felicitating with our leaders/forbearers that laid the foundation of what is today known as Delta state.
It is on this note that we rejoice with Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, the Executive Governor, the Ika South Local Government Chairman, Hon. Sunny Tatabuzogwu his counterpart at Ika North East Local Government, Hon. (Barr.) Victor Ebonka and the entire good people of Ika nation and Deltans as a whole.
SEE ALSO:Â AN X-RAY OF OKOWA’ S LEADERSHIP DEVIANCE AND DECISIVENESS
Essentially, aside from glaring achievements in delta state by the Okowa led administration, particularly in the areas of education, infrastructure, and human capital development, the Newspaper specifically considers as a right step taken in the right direction his recent visit to Ibrahim Babangida, the nation’s former military President, under whose regime the state was created and midwife to a stable level.
In our view, Delta state must not fail to remember/appreciate and celebrate its pioneer leaders such as; Felix Ibru – January 1992 – November 1993, (SDP)[29]. Luke Chijiuba Ochulor – 28 August 1991 – January 1992 (Military) [28] Abdulkadir Shehu – 17 November 1993 – 10 December 1993 (Military) [27] Bassey Asuquo – 10 December 1993 to 26 September 1994 (Military) [26] John Dungs – 22 August 1996 to 12 August 1998 (Military) [24] Ibrahim Kefas – 26 September 1994 to 22 August 1996 (Military) [25] Walter Feghabo – 12 August 1998 to 29 May 1999 (Military), James Ibori – 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007 (PDP), Emmanuel Uduaghan – 29 May 2007 to 29 May 2015 (Elected), Ifeanyi Okowa – 29 May 2015 to date (Elected).
Certainly, a peep into the developmental diary of Delta state reveals without labour that the state has scored some good points in certain areas of life infrastructure, security, and sports development. It is a verifiable fact. As an example, the Delta State Capital, Asaba, which has variously been superintended by different administrations, has been transformed from an obscure local government headquarters to a sprawling modern city befitting an oil-bearing state, so also, are other parts of the state.
Nevertheless, as the celebration continues, there exists the need for Delta state to remain focused on providing the people of the state with sustainable dividends of democracy.
We must, therefore, expand the celebration to capture sustainable development.
Again, a happy celebration to all Deltans.