Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Another Democracy Day: Prognosis of Democratic Efficacy

As we prepare to celebrate another democracy day, the last for the present elected offices across the country, it is in a sombre mood! 
 

Delta State University Teaching Hospital Oghara





 One of Reconstructed Secondary School in Delta State

 
 Road projects in Delta State

The modern Asaba International Airport.

Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan has set the tone, by declaring last week that celebrations meant for this period, that is the Children and Democracy Days, will not be celebrated with the usual fanfare as a result of the security challenges currently facing the country and the non-release of the adopted school girls from Chibok in Bornu State.

However in looking at how far we have gone as a society in fifteen years of democracy, there is no doubt that there is some progress in the polity. I confidently say this, because I know where we were in 1998, and where we are now. Though a lot has been achieved, no doubt, generally a lot is still left to be done, particularly in the energy sector.

Across Nigeria’s political landscape, it was usually the norm rather than the exception that aspirants to political office make promises which they kept in abeyance once they got into office. Most of them have blueprints that were remarkable in conception but never saw the light of day as kleptomania left no space for the actualization of the beautiful roadmaps for development, which they sold to the populace as manifestoes.

Gradually however, there seems to be renewed vigour by Chief Executives of States to reverse this trend as they have taken the bull by the horns and are determined to leave their States better than they met them. Worthy of mention is Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, Governor of Delta State, among others.

Delta State has put in place an educational infrastructural rehabilitation and reconstruction programme, which has highly upgraded the school system.  Social and economic infrastructural renewal is also at an all-time high in the State. High quality roads that create linkages intra-city and inter-city have been constructed in most cities, including different parts of the State. The Asaba Airport and the Asaba/Ughelli road projects are courageous steps to accelerate economic development that integrate the State. Though, it is unfortunate that a section of that road project is still having challenges. However, the progress so far is commendable. So far, more riverine areas are being opened up with modern roads.

In the health sector, the Delta State Government has being running a free health programme for pregnant women, children under the age of five, elderly people above 65 years, physically challenged people, and people living with HIV/AIDS. There is also the periodic rural healthcare programme, which takes care of surgical and out patients. The Delta State Teaching Hospital Oghara has been highly developed to encourage medical tourism, because of modern equipment and high class medical care. All these programmes have resulted in a serious drop in the rate of maternal and infant mortality, made for the lowest HIV prevalence rate, and the highest life expectancy rate in the country.

In the industrial sector, there is the commitment to boost the Tourism sector with the progress at Oleri theme park and Ogwashi-uku Park.  Government is working to resuscitate erstwhile moribund industries across the State and build several skill acquisition centres for youths to obtain industrial skills that fit modern industry. On the Energy sector, the State government is pursuing several options to stimulate and provide more energy for our people.

Under Dr. Uduaghan, everything has been going smoothly, perhaps progressing sometimes at a slow pace by the reckoning of some individuals, but nevertheless effectively.

I have always said it that governance is a continuum. What Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan oversights and is unable to do or complete today, can and will always be done or completed by future administrations. Governance like Music is a continuum and the modern and avant-garde composers of today will be part of the standard repertoire thirty years from now. Since time is a continuum, the moment is always different, so the music is always different.