Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, Pro-Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, and the women leader of the Simplified Movement in Okrika Local Government Area, Opuerembo Bertha Dede, have all endorsed the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Okrika Local Government Council, Princess Ibiene Ogan, for the forthcoming local government elections in the State.
They said this at the second phase of empowerment programme of the local government council.
Prof Obianime described Ogan as showing exceptional qualities, adding that it was the first time since the creation of the local government area that Okrika people are feeling the impact of good governance.
He said it was his wish that Princess Ogan be allowed to come back as a chairman in the forthcoming local government elections.
Also speaking, Chief Amiesimaka said the caretaker chairman has shown capacity in the administration of the council.
“I’m glad that I endorsed her candidacy and I’m very proud to say that she has not disappointed me.
“She has done marvellously in terms of empowerment, and as you can see I’m very glad. I’m also requesting her not to rest on her oars. She should rather do better”, he said.
Chief Amiesimaka, who called on the people of Okrika to interrogate other candidates before voting for them, expressed surprised that some of those who have come to him for endorsement did not even know the functions of local government councils.
“Some of them came to me to lobby for endorsement in the forthcoming election and I asked them one question, what are the statutory responsibilities of local government chairman, most of them don’t have a clue.
“It should no longer be business as usual. I have asked the people to ask questions, look at the candidate”, he said.
He said the empowerment initiatives will act as a stimulant to rejig the private sector, adding that this will make many people to be self dependent instead of depending on the government every time.
Amiesimaka also described Governor Fubara as an exceptional leader, stressing that the Governor has identified with the people.
“He is the peoples Governor. The Governor is sensitive to the plights of the ordinary people and, as we all know, this is not just a political statement, it’s a reality”, he said.

She said “the people, not just the women, will be happy if the State Governor will consider bringing Princess Ogan back as Executive Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area.
“Tody, we are here for empowerment, our CTC Chairman is empowering her people. I’m so happy for what she is doing, because it has not been done in the local government, since all the time Chairmen have been leading I have not seen this progress. But since this lady came, so many things are changing.
“If the Governor will return her back, we will be so happy”, she said.
She enumerated some of the achievements of the LG boss to include constant power supply, provision of water, empowerment of the women folk and regular cleaning of drainages.
Other stakeholders who spoke with newsmen also endorsed her for the election.
Meanwhile, Princess Ogan has described the second phase of the empowerment programme as another phase in her administration’s attempt to economically empower the people.
Ogan, who stated this in her welcome address at the occasion, said it was inline with her “Concerned About Prosperity (CAP) project”, that essentially covers all aspects of empowerment.
In her words, “Today marks another chapter in our march to deliberately empower the people of Okrika Local Government Area.
“Recall that while inaugurating my Caretaker Committee members, I had unveiled the Concerned About Prosperity (CAP) project that essentially covers all aspects of our needs and hopes.
“Since then, we have been working along this trajectory to give assured sense of ownership to our people”.
She said her Administration has embarked on several people-oriented programmes to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

John Bibor & Idris Marvellous