The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D.; and Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, will attend the 2026 Maris Annual Public Service Lecture.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, CFR, will be the Keynote Speaker at the lecture, which will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, at 12:00 noon.
The Secretary of the Maris Trust Council (MTC), organizers of the annual lecture series, Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Tuesday morning in Asaba.
Egugbo, who is also the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Oborevwori, disclosed that the Governor will attend the lecture as the Distinguished Guest of Honour, his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will attend as Guest of Honour and Special Guest of Honour, respectively.
”With only a few hours remaining until the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture 2026, we thank God that the Maris Lecture will once again set the agenda for the nation and humanity.
“The topic for discussion is ‘Insecurity: Bane of Nigeria’s Unity and Progress,’ and it will be delivered by the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, CFR,” Egugbo said.
”The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will attend as Distinguished Guest of Honour, his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., who spoke on the topic ‘Effective Tax Administration for the Delivery of Democratic Dividends’ at the 2021 Maris Lecture will be the Guest of Honour, while the former Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, will be the Special Guest of Honour.
”Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dele Ezeoba, will serve as Chairman of the Occasion.
“Other dignitaries include Rear Admiral Mike Onah, OON (Father of the Day), and Princess Minnie Igbrude (Mother of the Day).
“Those who are attending the lecture as Discussants include Sir Mike Ejiofor, Rev. Fr. John Konyeke, Lady Rosemary Ogabu, Prof. Hope Eghagha, and Hon. Warri Ovoke.
”Prof. Kemi Emina will be the Moderator of the lecture, which is expected to be attended by people from all walks of life,” Egugbo added.
About Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who is attending the lecture as Distinguished Guest of Honour:
The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Sheriff F. O. Oborevwori, (JP) was born on the 19th of June, 1963 to the reputable family of Chief Samuel and Mrs Esther Oborevwori of Osubi town in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. He took oath of office as Governor of Delta State, on May 29, 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Political Science from Delta State University, Abraka and has completed executive programs at the London School of Economics and Alliance Manchester Business School.
The Rt. Hon. Oborevwori is a man who has always availed himself to serve others even in the face of daunting challenges. He was an elected Councilor in 1996, and he was subsequently appointed the Supervisory Councilor for Works in Okpe Local Government Council. He was the pioneer Chairman of Osubi Community from 1996 to 2003. Following his developmental strides in Osubi Community as well as other contributions to peace and security, he was given the Chieftaincy title of the UKODO of Okpe Kingdom in 2003, by His Royal Majesty, the Orhorho 1, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
He was Special Assistant on Youth Development and Security, and was elected to represent Okpe Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly. While at the House of Assembly, the law makers overwhelmingly elected him as the Speaker, a position he held from 2017 to 2023.
Since his assumption of office as Governor, the wheel of progress is turning in the state; the state is relatively peaceful, receptive to visitors and investors and is generally seen as blessed to have Rt. Hon. Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori as Governor.
His giant strides in the development of the state has earned him several accolades and in the month of February this year, he emerged Governor of the Year 2025 in separate awards by New Telegraph Newspapers and Leadership Newspapers, in recognition of his impactful governance and people-focused policies. Both organisations cited his effective implementation of programmes that have driven development and improved lives across Delta State.
The media organisations noted that Governor Oborevwori’s administration has distinguished itself through inclusive governance, strategic infrastructure development, and policies aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Deltans.
Governor Oborevwori’s administration follows the “M.O.R.E Agenda”—Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.
The ₦1.729 trillion 2026 “Budget of Accelerating the MORE Agenda” dedicates 70 per cent to capital projects, prioritizing road infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
The Governor who is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), among other organisations, is married to Evangelist Tobore Oborevwori, has children, and is an ordained Elder of the Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel).
