Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday said the state had in its three decades of existence been a potpourri of diversity and inclusion, trials and triumphs and growth and stability.
He stated this at the Gala and Award Night in Asaba marking the grand finale of a week-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state.
At the event held at Event Center, no fewer than 18 distinguished Deltans, including Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia, Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Mr Tony Elumelu, Director-General of World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and eminent scholar, Professor Obaro Ikime, were honoured for their contributions to the development of the state and country.
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Other awardees were Professor Joy Ogwu, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, Prof. Emmanuel Nwanze, renowned architect, Chief Charles Majoroh, Chief E.K. Clark, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu and Frontline comedian, Atunyota Akpobome (a.k.a Alibaba).
The awardees also included Michael Ajereh (Don Jazzy), Ese Brume, Timipamere Akiayefa and three posthumous recipients – Chief Mukoro Mowoe, Chief James Otobo and Chief Dennis Osadebay, former Premier of defunct Midwest Region.
Okowa thanked Deltans for their support and cooperation in building a smart, strong and safe state.
“After 30 years, I can boldly say that it has been three decades of diversity and inclusion, of trials and triumphs, and of growth and stability.
“More significantly, Deltans have come to live as one big, happy family and the State has continued to forge ahead in all indices of human, physical and economic development,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the civil servants – serving, retired or late – who made huge sacrifices to ensure the successful take-off of the State.
He said that his administration was breaking new grounds in job and wealth creation through entrepreneurship development while building road and physical infrastructure of the most vital interest and impact.
He solicited the continued support of all Deltans, including the Diaspora, to his administration in its determination to deliver a Stronger Delta to them.
He assured that ongoing projects and programmes would be concluded while premium would continue to be attached to well-being of citizens.
