Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said the federal government allocations coming to the state are being channeled into infrastructure and other developmental projects for the betterment of the state.
Governor Okowa stated this at the 2021 annual lecture of the Delta Online Publishers Forum held at the Banquet Hall of Orchid Hotels and Conference Centre, Asaba, Delta State.
Governor Okowa represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Festus Agas, said the present administration was building on the successes of past leaders of the state, and commended his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his contributions to the development of the state.
He said government’s policies and programmes were geared towards meeting the needs and aspirations of the citizens, pointing out that security was the responsibility of the federal, and state governments, traditional rulers as well as the media.
While highlighting the significance of online publishing to the society, the governor charged Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF, to ensure transparency, fairness and truth in their reportage, a panacea for the development of the Niger Delta region.
Former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was guest lecturer, spoke on the theme of the lecture “the Niger Delta Economy; building a new face for the region”, saying the region was characterized by violence and hostility.
Dr. Uduaghan said to build a new face for the Niger Delta, emphasis must be on activities that would lead to the economic development of the region, stressing that all relevant stakeholders must work hard in order to rescue the region from being labeled as a red zone over the years.
He decried the fact that, although that the Niger Delta contributed 80% of the nation’s revenue and 74% of export earnings, it had remained in a deplorable and pitiable state with little or nothing to show for it.
Dr. Uduaghan appealed to the online publishers to play key role in ensuring a reversal of the trend.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege represented by Mr. Joseph Adimabua, said a new face for the Niger Delta region was inevitable, noting that over the years, lack of economic opportunities had pushed many young men in the region into illegal and violent activities to create livelihood for themselves.
The federal lawmaker, however gave assurance that the federal government was investing on infrastructure for the region, which include the Lagos, Calabar rail line that would pass through Warri, Port-Harcourt and Uyo, to Calabar, which would attract private sectors, boost volume of trade and investments to give the region a new identity.
Also speaking, the Interim Administrative and Chief Executive of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa represented by Mr. Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, said the commission was established to facilitate the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and to ensure peace in the region.
The Chairman of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli said the mission and the vision of the body was to ensure professionalism and quality service delivery on its journalistic mandate as publishers.
The event featured a discourse on the theme Niger Delta Economy: Building a new face for the region, where a panel of discussants included, Annkio Briggs, the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, former Provost of Federal Collage of Education (Technical) Asaba, Dr Ignatius Ezoem, and Faith Nwadishi proffered solutions to the challenges confronting the region.
Highlight of the occasion which attracted dignitaries including a representative of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ali Mohammed Ari, was the cutting of the birthday cake of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the presentation of awards to deserving individuals.