Niger Delta
Projects: Oborevwori Tasks Politicians On Continuity In Governance
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has advised the political class, especially governors, to sustain developmental projects inherited from their predecessors for the development of their states.
Oborevewori made the call while inaugurating multi-billion naira projects at the Dennis Osadebe University, Anwai-Asaba to mark his 100 days in office.
The projects were completed by Oborevewori but initiated by the immediate past Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
He also inaugurated a 16km road with a network covering 29 streets and 31.45 km line drains around Madonna College road spanning across Asaba and Okpanam in Oshimili South and North Local Government Area in the state capital territory.
Oborevwori said government is a continuum, adding that it was the duty of successive administrations to continue and complete projects initiated by their predecessors for the collective good of the people.
He commended his predecessors in the state for continuing with projects they met while also initiating and executing new projects.
He particularly lauded former Governor, Okowa, for initiating the projects.
“My joy knows no bounds as we commission this 500-seater Auditorium, two 250-seater Auditorium, building and furnishing of the Faculty of Agriculture, administrative building, main gate building, and internal roads in this citadel of learning.
“There are two reasons for my happiness today, first is that I promised the people in my inaugural speech that I will ensure that all ongoing projects embarked upon by the previous administration would be completed alongside new initiatives.
“Government is a continuum and it is the duty of successive administrations to put the resources of the state to good use by ensuring that projects are completed in a timely and prudent manner”, he said.
According to him, one of the reasons for abandoned projects in our country is because of the failure or refusal of political leaders to continue with projects started by their predecessors.
“This is usually informed by the fear that their predecessors will get the credit. However, this should not be the case if the focus of the leader is on the collective good of all.
“I am proud to say that in Delta, we have had a history of successive governors building on the legacies of their predecessors.
”It is my honour and privilege to continue with that noble tradition as I give credit to the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for his vision and foresight in initiating these projects”, he said.
On the importance of education, Oborevwori assured that his administration would continue to give moral and institutional support for the development of the three new universities.
“The second reason for my joy is that the completion of these projects underscores our commitment to the educational advancement of our people.
“Education and knowledge are two cornerstones of progress in any modern society.
”The emplacement of skilled and professional competencies for all the citizens and residents of the state is one of the priorities of this administration.
“It is also gratifying to note that enrollment into the university has continued to grow. This is undeniable proof that the decision to establish this university and two others in Ozoro and Agbor is justified.
“Our people are eager for quality education and we are glad that we have provided more opportunities for them to actualize their dreams”, he said.
He tasked the university authority to prioritise curriculum development and innovation to make graduates meet up with challenging technology.
“I implore the Governing Council and the Board of the university to prioritise curriculum development and innovation.
“In a time of rapid economic and technological change, the challenge is to develop courses and programmes that will enable the graduates to forge the strongest career paths, learn new skills, solve real world business problems”, the Governor stated.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, commended the Governor for transforming a bush into a citadel of learning with seven faculties and 40 programmes to cater for the growing population of the state.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Oghojafor, in his address, said the establishment of the three new Universities was born out of the need to grant more access to higher education for the people of Delta State.
He said the university was already filling the gap by providing excellent skills in various areas of learning, adding that they were in talks with the NUC to increase the school’s admission quota.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, said the completion of the 16km roads project was a great relief to people of the area who had been plagued by massive flooding and erosion challenges.
Also, the Council Chairmen in Oshimili South, Dr Kelvin Ezenyili and his Oshimili North counterpart, Mr Innocent Eseweze lauded Gov. Oborevwori for consolidating on the achievements of the past administration in completing ongoing projects across the two LGAs.
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Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of Ayakoro Community and former Leader of the Ogbia Local Government Legislative Assembly, Bayelsa State, Chief Sisomom Francis, has applauded the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for winning the Chieftaincy election conducted to install a new paramount ruler of his home town, Ayakoro.
The ex-lawmaker also lauded Ogbuku for the numerous transformational projects and impacts he has continued to make in the NDDC, noting that the Niger Delta region has experienced tremendous development in both infrastructure and human capital development under his leadership.
Chief Francis spoke with newsmen shortly after the chieftaincy polls held at the weekend in the community, calling on stakeholders of the oil-rich Niger Delta region to consolidate their synergy with the Ogbuku-led management of the commission to attract more development to their communities.
Speaking on the NDDC’s boss’s relationship with community folks before and now the erstwhile lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of the community, noted that Ogbuku does not discriminate against age and background in his relationship with members of the community.
“Ogbuku is Godsent to our community, Ayakoro, and the Niger Delta region. He knows the problems of his immediate community, and indeed knew the problems and challenges of the Niger Delta region.
“Since his inception in office as MD/CEO, the Niger Delta has seen a new and better NDDC. Ogbuku has done well and will continue to do well for the Niger Delta region.
“He has executed projects in every community of the Niger Delta, and that’s why the people are happy with him. We thank God for his election today as the substantive paramount ruler of the Ayakoro Community.
“Before now Ogbuku was the Deputy Paramount ruler of this community. But you’ll recall that we lost our Paramount ruler and so because of the MD’s special place in the life of this community, where he has since been serving meritoriously, today we’ve elected him as our substantive paramount ruler”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Following the emergence of Delta State as the second-best governed state in Nigeria in the 2025 Governance Performance Index released by the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, the Executive Assistant to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has credited the success to prudent financial management, grassroots-focused development and effective project execution by the Governor.
Speaking during an interview on Niger Delta Today on ADBN Television, Ifeajika said the ranking was a reflection of the governor’s preparedness for leadership and his commitment to delivering tangible development across Delta State.
According to Ifeajika, Oborevwori’s emergence as a high-performing governor did not come as a surprise to many Deltans who had closely followed his political career, particularly his tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
He described the Governor as a “prepared leader” who came into office with a clear understanding of governance and the needs of the people, unlike politicians who only seek public office during election periods.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was prepared for the job of governing Delta State. His leadership style is not accidental. It is a reflection of years of experience in public service and a deep understanding of the state’s developmental needs”, Ifeajika said.
The Governor’s aide recalled that Oborevwori served as Speaker of the State Assembly for six years, the longest-serving speaker in the state’s history, and was widely commended for his prudent management of public resources.
He noted that Oborevwori’s reputation for fiscal discipline was demonstrated when he reportedly returned over N500 million in unspent funds to the state treasury at the end of his tenure as Speaker.
Ifeajika said the same culture of accountability and prudent resource management now defines the governor’s administration, stressing that every project undertaken by the government is subjected to rigorous needs assessment to ensure value for money.
“Every kobo spent by the government must attract value. The Governor insists that public funds must be deployed for meaningful development. Projects are not awarded arbitrarily; they are based on the actual needs of communities”, he stated.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to equitable development, Ifeajika disclosed that the Governor introduced a deliberate policy of allocating dedicated funds for infrastructure projects in each of the state’s 25 local government areas.
He explained that the administration earmarked N1 billion for projects in each local government area in its first budget in 2023, increased the allocation to N2 billion in the following year and further raised it to N4 billion in the current fiscal year.
According to him, the policy ensures that development is spread across the state rather than concentrated in a few locations.
“There is a deliberate intention to touch every local government almost simultaneously. Funds are already provided in the budget, and government only identifies the most pressing needs of the people before executing projects” he said.
The governor’s aide also emphasized that Oborevwori personally monitors projects across the state through regular inspection visits to ensure contractors deliver quality work and that projects are completed according to specifications.
Responding to concerns that the latest governance ranking may have been influenced by lobbying, Ifeajika dismissed such claims, insisting that the recognition was earned through measurable achievements.
He noted that the Governor had received several awards and recognitions from both public and private organisations within the last two years, describing the latest ranking as another independent validation of the administration’s performance.
“This cannot be dismissed as a fluke or something that was lobbied for. It reflects the reality on the ground in Delta State. The governor’s achievements are visible and have been acknowledged by different organisations”, he said.
Ifeajika further revealed that the administration had strengthened transparency in project execution by encouraging whistleblowing and public monitoring of government projects.
He expressed confidence that residents across the state would corroborate the positive assessment of the administration, maintaining that the impact of government projects and policies was evident in communities throughout Delta.
Delta State was ranked second in the 2025 Governance Performance Index with a score of 70 per cent, behind Kaduna State’s 73 per cent, and ahead of 34 other states in the federation.
The assessment evaluated governance outcomes, public service delivery, infrastructure development and the effectiveness of public administration across Nigeria’s 36 states.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South has elected a new Zonal Executive Committee, following a successful congress held on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State.
The congress, which drew top party leaders, including the Senate President, Governors, lawmakers, and delegates from across the region, was conducted through a consensus arrangement, reinforcing the party’s commitment to unity and internal cohesion.
Proceedings commenced with a motion for the dissolution of the outgoing Zonal Executive Committee, moved by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, and was unanimously adopted.
Subsequently, a motion adopting consensus as the mode of electing new officers was moved by Senator Essien Williams of Cross River State and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North East and was also unanimously adopted by all delegates.
At the end of the exercise, Chief Victor Giadom emerged as National Vice Chairman (South-South); Dr. Ita Udosen, Zonal Secretary; Barr. Neworld Safugha, Legal Adviser; Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, Publicity Secretary; Prince Urhoro Koyoyo, Youth Leader; Hon. Suobankuo Omoni, Women Leader; Hon. Prince Edward, Organising Secretary; and Prince Ayo Peter as representative of Persons with Disabilities.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended the South-South for its growing unity and political consolidation within the APC.
He noted that the region had witnessed remarkable transformation, moving from minimal APC presence to becoming a strong political bloc with increased alignment from governors and stakeholders.
Akpabio challenged party faithful to position the South-South as the highest vote-delivering region for the APC in the 2027 general elections, stressing that such a goal was both achievable and necessary.
Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his goodwill message, welcomed delegates to Asaba and described the congress as a demonstration of the party’s strength, unity, and readiness for future political engagements.
Oborevwori emphasized the need for sustained grassroots mobilization and urged party members to deepen internal cohesion, strengthen structures across all levels, and maintain strong connections with the people.
Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, also underscored the importance of unity, describing the adoption of consensus as a major step in reducing internal conflicts and fostering collective ownership within the party.
He noted that for the first time in recent political history, the South-South was speaking with one voice, adding that the full attendance of governors at the congress demonstrated their shared commitment to the region’s progress.
Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) in their separate remarks, spoke in the same vein, stressing the importance of the zone aligning with the Government at the centre.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Victor Giadom thanked party leaders and stakeholders for their support during his tenure and highlighted the progress made by the APC in the region, including electoral victories and increased political alignment.
In his acceptance speech, Giadom, who was relelected, expressed optimism that the party would continue to expand its influence ahead of the 2027 elections and position itself for agreater success.
The congress was also attended by members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, Ministers, other top government functionaries, party leaders and stakeholders from across the zone.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by party leaders and members to strengthen unity, expand grassroots support, and consolidate the APC’s growing influence in the South-South region.
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