RENOWNED politician and businessman, Chief Godwill Obielum, has said that Delta is an execeptionally blessed state.
Speaking on Friday in Asaba about the “Award Nite” climaxing activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of Delta State, Chief Obielum observed that what is unique about Delta is that in all spheres of life the state is truly blessed.
Obielum said, “I am happy that this celebration of our uniqueness as a people, celebration of unity in diversity, celebration of God’s blessings these past 30 years as a state climaxed with the recognition of these men and women who have contributed greatly and are still contributing to the growth and development of humanity.
“I thank our Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for initiating this award night, which I can describe as a special recognition night. It will not only show the world what we are offering as a state, how we are blessed as a people, but it will greatly inspire more Deltans, who are seeing these men and women as role models, to do more to be similarly recognised.
“Thirty years down the line as a state, we have a lot to thank God for – God has blessed us with rich soil for agriculture; placed us in an area rich in oil and gas; blessed us with different ethnic nationalities that we can be rightly described as a mini-Nigeria based on our different languages and ethnic backgrounds.
“In all of this, we have also seen the need to be united, and Governor Okowa has further strengthened that unity and peaceful co-existence by running an all-inclusive government.
“Naturally, there is always room for improvement but, comparative to other states that were created within the same period as Delta, we have every reason to thank God because they have not fared better than us.
“I commend those that have at different periods led the state – I know for sure that they had the challenges of trying to carry the people along in their activities. I congratulate Governor Okowa whose experience and God’s guidance have led to a stable polity; I congratulate all Deltans for looking beyond ethnicity in their activities but are always proud to say, ‘I am a Deltan.’
“Let us remain peaceful, focused in our activities and supportive of government and its activities. Congratulations Delta State!”
Chief Umukoro Mowoe, Chief James Otobo and Chief Dennis Osadebay bagged posthumous award, Prof Grace Alele-Williams and Prof Emmanuel Nwanze received the Academic Excellence Award while Chief Edwin Clark, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mr Jim Ovia and Mr Tony Elumelu, among others, received Life Achievers Award during the epochal event.
