Skip to main content

UNDERSTANDING THE MAN, OKOWA


Surprise! Shock!! Upset!!! Those were some of the words the media used to describe the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the Delta PDP gubernatorial flag bearer. But to those who know Senator Okowa, the result of the Delta PDP gubernatorial primary election was anything but surprising. It only cemented his profile as a consummate politician, consensus builder, and popular grassroots mobiliser.

In 2010 when he contested for the Senate, he  faced even more daunting prospects than the recently concluded governorship primary election. He battled for the party ticket with Marian Ali, the wife of the then PDP national chairman. Not many people gave him a chance of winning as the party hierarchy was effectively aligned against him. There were suggestions from well-meaning people for him to opt for a ministerial appointment instead of fighting what looked like a lost cause. However, Okowa, who had just quit as the Secretary to the State Government, stayed the course and against all odds he defeated Mrs .Ali with a landslide. With that in mind what was surprising is that many people wrote him off from the gubernatorial contest even before it started.

Senator Okowa’s journey into the political arena could be said to be fortuitous or divinely orchestrated depending on how you want to look at it. It began in 1991 during the ill-fated third republic. He was a medical practitioner at the time, and was approached by a group of politicians to participate in the emerging political process. After some initial hesitation, Okowa obliged and joined in the formation of the Social Democratic Party in Ika Local Government Area of Delta State. In the ensuing election, the party clinched victory and a satisfied Okowa quickly made a return to his clinic to continue his practice.

However, fate played a fast one on him as the party appointed him the secretary to the local government. Again, he resisted the overture but after much persuasion he accepted the offer even though his salary in a month as LG Secretary was less than what he made in a day at his clinic. Destiny beckoned on him six months later when Ika North East Local Government was created and he became the pioneer Executive Chairman (1991-1993). His tenure witnessed the provision of electricity and promotion of small-scale business enterprises in such places as Ute-Ogbeje, Ute-Okpu, Igbodo, Owa, Ekwoma, and Mbiri.

Since that humble beginning in 1991 Okowa’s political star has kept shining brighter and brighter. With the commencement of the fourth republic in 1999, Okowa joined the People’s Democratic Party and made valuable contributions to the formation and growth of the party in Delta State. Subsequently, he was appointed Commissioner of Agriculture and Water Resources, and under his watch there were remarkable strides in oil palm, pineapple and cowpea plantations, provision of loan facilities through cooperative societies and the supply of farm inputs and tractor hire services. There were also cassava projects, inputs for modern fish farming, and the use of agricultural development and procurement agencies for the benefit of the farming communities throughout Delta State.

He also served as Commissioner of Water Resources where he engendered the introduction and sustenance of solar-powered water schemes and rehabilitation of urban and rural water provision centres across many communities in the State. Okowa subsequently headed the Ministry of Health, and was Secretary to the State Government (2007-2010) before he resigned and contested for election into the 7th Senate of the National Assembly.

However, as impressive as his political profile is, it is pertinent to point out that this is not what defines Okowa as a person. What has distinguished him from politicians of his generation is his compassion and selfless commitment to empowering the people economically. Senator Okowa is a man genuinely touched by the suffering of people and he tries his best to make a difference in their lives. In virtually all local governments in Delta State, you will find people who are ready to swear by him because of how he has helped to transform their lives. His yearly Empowerment Day as a Senator has served to lift a number of people in Delta North Senatorial District out of poverty. In one of those events, Senator Smart Adeyemi (PDP Kogi West) rightly observed that “Senator Okowa is an advocate of good standard of living for the downtrodden people.”

As a person Okowa is intelligent, meticulous, and articulate. He displays a depth of understanding of the issues that affect his people and Nigerians as a whole. Quietly but steadily he is leaving his imprints on the sands of time. Without much ado, he has distinguished himself in the Senate where in three years he sponsored twelve bills, an achievement that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan described as a “feat.”

In declaring for the governorship of Delta state, Senator Okowa unveiled his social contract which offers insight on why he wants to be governor. As is his custom, the programme is focused, specific, detailed, and measurable, not the typical sloganeering and sound bites that politicians are accustomed to. With a vision to make Delta State “the pacesetter in the Nigerian federation by building an enduring legacy of wealth and prosperity,” Okowa has pledged to build a state where there will be “gainful employment opportunities, a flourishing agriculture and agri-business sector, effective health and educational systems, and renewed urban infrastructure and security that would enhance continued economic growth and the prosperity of all Deltans.”


*Mr. Ekwugum, a journalist, wrote from Lagos.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

FEDERAL ALLOCATION TO THE TWENTY FIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN DELTA STATE IN 2023

Below Is The Federal Allocation To The Twenty five Local Government Areas in Delta State In 2023: Aniocha North:  ₦2,631,989,064.8 Aniocha South:  ₦2,847,788,192.94 Bomadi:               ₦2,491,779,057.87 Burutu:                 ₦3,367,885,422.51 Ethiope East:      ₦3,178,376,209.24 Ethiope West:     ₦3,226,505,207.54 Ika North East:   ₦3,279,681,589.37 Ika South:            ₦3,117,284,050.15 Isoko North:        ₦2,968,741,529.30 Isoko South:       ₦3,372,633,698.8 Ndokwa East:     ₦2,766,813,948.49 Ndokwa West:   ₦3,108,983,376.16 Okpe:                    ₦2,750,960,811.06 Oshimili North:  ₦2,683,889,807 Oshimili South: ₦2,890,887,684.18 Patani:                 ...

OBOREVWORI: How Not To Glorify A 'One Chance' Governor - By Zik Gbemre

It is appalling how, in desperation to sustain its thieving hegemony over the Delta State Government since 1999, the Delta PDP had the audacity to impose the weakest, most uninformed contender, a local champion, as Governor over a state replete with accomplished men and women of immense capacity. Given this unenviable privilege, one would have expected the fortunate placeholder governor, Sheriff Oborevwori—whose only election campaign manifesto was pledging to improve on the failed leadership of Ifeanyi Okowa, his predecessor—to engage creative minds and individuals of proven integrity to assist him in making a difference. Rather than doing the needful, Oborevwori has worsened matters by electing to engage the same spent leaders, deadwood, and gluttons that have gained prominence in running the state down over successive administrations. The result has been a government of mediocre officeholders competing to run the state for their pockets at the detriment of the populace, under a gove...

MOMENT OF HONOUR: Ughelli Agog As Ovie Omo-Agege Arrives Home

It was a day of honour for Obarisi Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, and Delta State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as the people of Delta State came together from all ethnic nationalities to collectively celebrate and honour him. The grand reception in the ancient city of Ughelli was historic, marking the recognition of a distinguished Deltan who has brought great honour to the state and its people. Obarisi, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege arrived Osubi Airport flanked by Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Hon. Eric Oharisi and Hon. Evance Iwhurie. The streets of Ughelli came alive with jubilation as the former Deputy Senate President and his entourage drove into town. It was a historic moment, characterized by the beating of drums, vibrant displays of cultural pride, and an overwhelming sense of camaraderie among the people. The air filled with chants of joy, and the atmosphere electric with excitement—all painting a ...