Uduaghan urges in-coming govt not to neglect South-South, South-East

AS a new government is set to emerge on May 29, the South-South and South-East geo-political zones must not be denied their dues in power sharing and resource allocation, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said.

Speaking at a ceremony in Lagos where he was conferred with the Man-of-the-Year award by Silverbird Television, Uduaghan said that the two geo-political zones are critical components of the country that should not be relegated in the power equation under any circumstance, adding that equity, fair-play and justice are essential ingredients to enthroning peace in any society.

The governor, who noted the three virtues were his constant guiding principles through his time as governor of Delta State without which the implementation of his developmental agenda would have been more challenging, said: “There is no sacrifice that is too much for peace to be won, especially personal sacrifice.

“By laying the foundation for peace in Delta State through equity and fair-play, we were able to actualise our development programmes and create a new economy under the Delta Beyond Oil initiative.”

With complimentary emphasis on the provision of first class infrastructure, maternal and childcare programme that guarantees free medical care for expectant mothers and children up to five years and quality education, Uduaghan said Delta State has been placed on a trajectory to sustainable development beyond the vagaries of the oil economy.

The governor dedicated the award to the people of the state who he said have jettisoned their differences to build a peaceful and united Delta State.

Two elder statesmen of Delta State extraction were also honoured at the ceremony. Chief Philip Asiodu, former Minister of National Planning and Dr. Gamaliel Onosode, frontline industrialist, were conferred with the Life Time Achievement awards.

Speaking after receiving the award, Chief Asiodu, who was also Chief Economic Adviser to former presidents Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo, called for the restoration of the core values of the civil service.

According to him, before the purge of the service by the military in 1975, the civil service was fashioned to be independent, professional and primed to serve any government in power.

Asiodu said for Nigeria to rebuild and reinforce the institutions of good governance, the civil service should be returned to its core values and shielded from political interference.