In Nigeria’s federating system where State structure is beyond being platform for geo- political entity and identity, but also units for resource allocation, structured development and socio -economic re-engineering, the creation of Delta State ,August 27, 1991 stands out as a landmark historic political development worth celebrating.
The tone for the celebration of this histo-political threshold was set recently in a goodwill message the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, sent to Nigeria’s former Military President, General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida on the celebration of the 78th birthday of the former Nigerian leader under whose regime the aspiration for the creation of Delta State became a reality.
In the birthday message, Governor Okowa stated thus : ‘”The people of Delta State remain eternally grateful to you for the creation of the State in 1991.You created Delta State in 1991 and as we celebrate the 28th anniversary of the creation of our dear State, we remember your astute and sagacious contributions towards the realization of our long cherished dream.”
At independence in 1960 Nigeria had taken off on a steady march to nationhood with three regions, Eastern, Western and Northern regions which had been recognized under the colonial authorities as Provinces.
In 1963, however, the Midwestern Region was created through a democratic process of referendum and retained same geo- political space even in the face of the creation of the twelve States structure for Nigeria by the Gowon administration in 1967.
The same was also the case in 1976 when the General Murtala Mohammed led Supreme Military Council came up with the 19 State structure for the country.
The only change experienced by the Midwest Region was in the renaming as the Midwestern State and eventually Bendel State.
The sustained clamour for the creation of a State from old Bendel was therefore explains why the eventual creation of Delta State, August 27,1991 by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration was widely recognized as historic, epochal and largely in line with the legitimate political aspiration of the people of Bendel State.
To many, the feeling was that of ”oh at last, a Daniel has come to judgement. “
Twenty Eight years after, the vision behind the collective aspiration of the people and the well informed decision for the creation of Delta State has translated into a model epicenter for socioeconomic development and a bastion for democracy manifesting in enlarging opportunities and demonstrable display of equity in a cultivated atmosphere for group and individual realization of innate potentials.
It is therefore not surpriseing that 28 years after, Delta State has clearly emerged a model State in areas of peaceful coexistence of peoples of diverse ethnic, linguistic and sociocultural backgrounds, and has become home not just for Deltans but several thousands of other Nigerians fleeing from some identified troubled spots, States and regions within the Federation.
Delta has sustained her leadership role in the advancement of quality and impactfully transformational brand of education with the establishment of several Polytechnics, a multi campused Delta State University and the Colleges of Education in Warri, Agbor and Oteffe which are all serving alongside the Federal Educational institutions located in the State.
These include the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba and the Federal University of Petroleum Engineering (FUPRE).
It is also significant that some leading private sector driven participants have emerged in tertiary education administration and service delivery in the State.
Delta has also emerged a leading model State in sustained infrastructural development, whuch cuts across the health, sports, entertainment and education sectors.
Not only have sportsmen and women from the State dominated the national scene as demonstrated in the results of the national sports festivals, Delta has consistently remained a major feeder to the nation for international sports engagements.
It has intact remained incontestable that the magic Samuel Ogbemudia years when the defunct Bendel State was renowned for sustained dominance in national and international Sports are being replayed in Delta State.
What is more, with world class infrastructure in a pervading atmosphere of peace and security, Delta has become a preferred home to the National football team, the Super Eagles.
The ultra modern Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba has also been listed by FIFA for World Cup marches both in the female, male and various age categories of football competitions.
The Asaba international Airport has also been playing a rather pivotal role in the transformation of Delta into a leading State in the areas of tourism, Commerce and Industrial development, while some giant steps have also been taken in the critical area of human capital development.
As we celebrate, we as a state profoundly express our gratitude to leaders who have played significant roles in taking Delta to her current enviable height in Nigeria.
These include Group Captain Luke Ochulor, Olorogun Felix Ibru, Compel A.K Shehu, Col Bassey Asuguo(Rtd), Group Captain Ibrahim Kefas, Col John Dungs (Rtd). Navy Capt Walter Feghabor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and all the men and women with whom they worked tirelessly to bring Delta to her current status as one of the fastest growing States, West Coast of Africa.
In the years ahead, we are looking forward to the sustenance and deeper entrenchment of the power sharing model which has brought about equity and a sense of belonging amongst the various ethnic and linguistic entities and configurations that make up Delta as a geopolitical entity.
The pervading culture of peace must be further cultivated, consciously nurtured for the fruits therefrom shall be sustainable development across the sectors.
Expectations are also rife on the development of the Warri Ports and the rescucitation.of the Industrial Centers at Sapele, Asaba, Agbor and Ughelli.
We are encouraged by the increased spate of private sector participation in agriculture and food security Agenda of the State government.
It remains rather instructive that the people of Delta State inspite of their ethnocultural differences are showing a shinning example to Nigeria and the world at large on how the principles of good governance, adherence to equity and the spirit of accommodation and tolerance can translate into the right and compelling atmosphere for development.
We congratulate the Government and people of Delta State, as well as all the stakeholders who have played historic roles in the development strides of the past 28 years.
Congratulations Delta and Happy Anniversary.
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