Okowa lauded on rural development agenda

The United Nations has lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta for his efforts at developing rural communities in the state.

UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, gave the commendation on Thursday night at a state banquet organised for him and his delegation at Government House, Asaba.

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He said that with the level of development in rural areas of the state, Okowa had demonstrated passion and focus for the lives of the rural people.

According to Kallon, the governor’s rural development agenda had seen many satellite towns developed with good roads and schools, universal healthcare and youth engagement.

“We have done a sequential analysis of where we are in Nigeria and I can tell you that Delta has done well in terms of promoting universal health care, youth employment and rural development in the state.

“Governor Okowa is one of the most progressive governors in Nigeria and it’s worth commending what the Delta State Government has done in terms of peace and conflict resolution because without peaceful co-existence you can’t talk about development.

“No peace without development and there is no development without peace and there is no development without strong institutions, and you can only talk about development if your people can live well and afford the good things of life,” he said.

Kallon urged the state government to adopt a strategic policy that would move the state to the next level of development, adding that Nigeria required 350 billion dollars to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before 2030.

On COVID-19, the UN Representative urged Nigerians not to lower their guard but to keep observing preventive protocol, testing, isolating and treatment.

He also called for more funding of health institutions to meet emerging health challenges.

In his remarks, Governor Okowa said that the poverty rate in Nigeria fuelled insecurity and called for intensive advocacy on population control.

He said that Nigeria was in tough times with dwindling oil revenues, insecurity and COVID-19 pandemic posing further challenges on the economy, especially on daily income earners.