WIFE of former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Lady Esther Elue, will on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, attend this year’s edition of Maris Annual Public Service lecture as Mother of the Day.
Maris Lecture, due to its serious nature of identifying the challenges of the society and proffering solutions to them, hold every Wednesday of the Holy Week, that is, the Wednesday before Esther Sunday but the date for this year’s edition was adjusted by seven days due to the 2023 general elections.
Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, Secretary, Maris Trust Council, MTC, organisers of the annual lecture series in a statement issued on Monday morning in Asaba, Delta State, disclosed that the year 2023 edition of the annual lecture is unique because it is coming shortly after the general elections and before the swearing-in of those who emerged victorious in the elections, noting that a lot would be learnt to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
“It is a thing of joy for us at Maris Trust Council, MTC, to inform the world that Lady Esther Elue, a retired educationist and a disciplinarian will be Mother of the Day at this year’s edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture.
“Lady Elue, wife of former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Sir Benjamin Elue, has given assurance that she will be physically present at the occasion.
“Chief Elue was Deputy to former Governor James Ibori from 1999 to 2007.
“There is certainly a lot to learn from this year’s lecture which will be delivered by a former lecturer, renowned banker, astute administrator and a political tactician, Chief Sir Fidelis Tilije, who has effectively, piloted the affairs of the Ministry of Finance, Delta State from 2019 to date.
“Chief Tilije will be addressing the world on the topic, ‘Provision of infrastructure as catalyst for growth of democracies.’
“We can also, confirm that billionaire businessman, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, OON, Group Managing Director, Rainoil Limited, will attend the lecture as Chairman of occasion and Rev. Fr. John Konyeke, whose contributions during the discussion segment of the annual lecture, always give participants a lot to go home with from the spiritual angle, will also, attend this edition as Spiritual Father of the Day.
“It is getting better as we are getting closer to the date and we shall continue to update the public with names of dignitaries who will play vital roles at the lecture as we get confirmation from them.
“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, a man who believes in an egalitarian society, a man who is passionate about providing necessary infrastructure for democracy to thrive, a trained Medical Doctor who blazed the trail in introducing Health Insurance Scheme for affordable health to get to the reach of the people, a true family man, a lover of education and a man who has ensured a peaceful Delta State for such an international Discourse to take place in Asaba, has also, graciously, approved that the lecture should hold at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
“The time for the lecture is 12 noon prompt so that those who will fly back to their destinations using the Asaba International Airport can do so after the lecture unless they want to enjoy the unrivalled hospitality of Asaba, the peaceful capital city by the bank of the famous River Niger.”
It would be recalled that Chief Mrs. Josephine Kachikwu, Dr. (Mrs) Comfort Omon-Irabor and Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru, OFR, MFR, were Mother of the Day at previous Maris Lectures.
