How Oborevwori clinched Governor Of The Year Award

Monday, January 27, 2025, will remain a very important date in the history of Delta State as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was honoured with the Governor of the Year Award for Fiscal Discipline and Infrastructural Development.

The prestigious recognition was conferred by the THISDAY/ARISE Media Group at a grand ceremony held at the Eko Hotels and Convention Centre, Lagos.

Dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and bow tie, Governor Oborevwori cut a distinguished figure on the night. He was accompanied by prominent Deltans and top government officials, including the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, as well as other top government officials and key stakeholders.

The event captivated national attention, serving as the focal point of the Nigerian public on Monday. It was broadcast live on Arise Television, reaching millions of viewers across the world.

Governor Oborevwori’s endorsement as Governor of the Year came less than 48 hours after he was conferred with an honourary Doctor of Science degree (Ph.D) Honorary Causa, in Public Policy and Strategy by Novena University, Ogume in Delta State.

Announcing the award, the Founder of THISDAY and ARISE Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, said: “Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State was underrated, but in his 18 months in power has not borrowed any cent from any bank and he keeps building infrastructure across the state.”

Presenting the award on behalf of the media house, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, congratulated Governor Oborevwori on the recognition, describing him as an achiever with great positive accomplishments.

Governor Oborevwori, while receiving the award, dedicated it to God and the people of the state for their unflagging support and partnership.

Oborevwori, who won the award alongside Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom and Uba Sani of Kaduna State, said the award would spur him to do more for Deltans in the years ahead.

He said: “Let me sincerely congratulate THISDAY/ARISE Media Group on their 30th and 12th anniversary, respectively.

“This award is a recognition of our modest efforts in advancing Delta through our MORE Agenda.

“I dedicate this award to God Almighty and to the good people of Delta State. Once more, congratulations to THISDAY/ARISE Media Group on their anniversaries. God bless Delta State and God bless Nigeria as we continue to work together in harmony and unity as a nation.”

In an interview with journalists moments after receiving the award, Oborevwori said the award would spur him to do more for Deltans as he had promised in his MORE Agenda.

“As a man with street credibility, we are in touch with the grassroot and, as we are building infrastructure, we are also building our people because you may have infrastructure and the people are hungry.

“So, we are building the capacity of the people and we are also building infrastructure and investing in agriculture and other sectors of the economy.”

He remarked that as the year 2025 unfolds, his administration will remain unwavering in the desire to redouble efforts toward building a more peaceful state and resilient economy.

…Introduces Whistle-blowing In Delta
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Wednesday, announced the introduction of whistle-blowing to guide against poor project delivery in the state.

Governor Oborevwori, who made the disclosure during an interactive meeting with Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at Government House, Asaba, thanked the civil servants for their loyalty, support, commitment and dedication to duty.

He said the meeting, which was the third in the series since his assumption of office, became necessary following reports of some civil servants colluding with contractors to defraud the state through poorly executed projects.

The Governor said two engineers had been suspended for certifying uncompleted projects for payment, adding that the decision was necessary to serve as a deterrent to others.
Oborevwori said: “All I require from you is loyalty, commitment and dedication to duty, not personal gain; for us, it is Delta State first. In advancing Delta through our MORE Agenda, we must give the best to Deltans at all times.

“In everything we are doing in Delta State, we must give it the best. A situation where a superintending engineer will issue a certificate for a project not completed and payments made is unacceptable.

“Where you are expected to use a 12 mm rod and you use something else, is it good? So, when I discovered bad jobs and issuance of certificates of completion for projects not completed, on the spot, I directed that those involved should be issued a query.”

Governor Oborevwori said that, as a Christian, he would temper justice with mercy, affirming that the punishment to be meted out on erring officials would serve as a deterrent to others.

“When a contractor is blacklisted, they can go and do other things elsewhere but as civil servants, when you are involved, you will be dismissed; so, why would you destroy your career?

“Some of the contractors have other companies but you have lost your job; is it a good thing? So, that is the reason I am saying ‘let us be on the same page, let’s continue to work together to build Delta State and to move Delta State forward.

“I cannot succeed without you; so, save me the stress of jumping up and down from one site to another because if you do the right thing, I will not be going from one project to the other for inspection.

“All we are saying here in essence is transparency and accountability; zero tolerance for corruption; the need for ethical leadership, whistle-blowing and resistance to corruption because there are consequences for misconduct.

“We need to encourage whistleblowing in the state; we will have some hotlines. If somebody is constructing your road and they are not doing it well, you can snap and send it to us.

“The people have a right to complain and the information sent to us would be treated in confidence without disclosing the source,” he added.

…Mulls Decentralisation Of DLA For Efficient Road Rehabilitation
DELTA State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Thursday, said the State Government would decentralise the operations of the State Direct Labour Agency (DLA) as part of measures to revive and sustain an effective road maintenance culture in the state.

The Governor said this in his brief remark at a three-day retreat tagged “Repositioning the Delta State Direct Labour Agency For Better Performance in line with the M.O.R.E Agenda of the Oborevwori administration”, held at the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park in Asaba, the state capital

He said: “I have come here today on an unscheduled visit to see what you are doing and am happy seeing all of you here. I know that what you are doing today will surely impact the state, because there is a lot to be done.

“Some of the takeaways from this retreat, including the issue of decentralisation of the DLA, would be given the due attention they deserve.”

The Delta State Direct Labour Agency was established in 1999 as an interventionist agency with the mandate to maintain and repair failed portions of roads in the state.

It is believed that the three-day retreat for the personnel of the agency under the leadership of Engr. Emmanuel Ighomena as Director-General, would equip them with the necessary skills to modernise its operations for the benefit of the state.