NPAN commends Okowa for infrastructure development in Delta

Members of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), yesterday, commended Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa for infrastructure development in the state.

They made the commendation when Publisher of The Guardian, Dame Maiden Alex-Ibru, publisher of ThisDay Nduka Obaigbena, and their Vanguard counterpart, Sam Amuka, visited Okowa at Government House, Asaba, to commiserate with him on the passing of his father on January 28, 2021.

Ibru said she was impressed with the infrastructure upgrade in Delta State, especially in Asaba, adding: “Okowa’s success in his political career and his performance as governor is a reflection of his humble beginnings and upbringing.”

She urged Governor Okowa and his family members to take solace in the fact that the late Pa Okorie Okowa left indelible footprints in their lives and in humanity.

Speaking, Obaigbena said the deceased octogenarian, who died at 88, valued education and gave his children the best of it.

He said Pa Okowa was one of the last of the ‘originals’ who went the extra mile to ensure that their children got the best education.

“He was an educationist, who ensured that his children went to the best of schools which has helped them to become great achievers in life.

“We have come to commiserate with you on the sad development, and with pain in our hearts and smiles on our faces, we mourn with you,” Obaigbena said.

On his part, Amuka urged Okowa and his family to be consoled by the good deeds of their father, adding that the publishers were with the family in their thoughts and prayers throughout the mourning period.

Responding, Okowa thanked them for the visit, saying he was consoled by the love and attention family, friends and well-wishers had shown him since the passing of his father.

He described his late father as an accomplished teacher, politician of repute and a community leader, who left indelible marks in the sands of time.

“I appreciate the gurus of newspaper publishing from our state. I truly must thank you and I appreciate this visit. We are encouraged by this visit knowing that it is a visit of high calibre persons.

“Being a teacher helped my father to mould our lives at our very early ages, which helped us to grow to what we are today.

“From testimonies, we have been made to understand that he played much more roles than we knew, because of the several lives he touched,” Okowa stated.

Governor Okowa further expressed gratitude to the delegation of the House of Representatives led by Ndudi Elumelu, who also visited him and expressed gratitude to them for their support.