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Tag: Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa

How Atiku Will Check oil Theft, Bunkering – Okowa
The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has decried the loss of Nigeria’s huge natural gas resources to the nation’s inability to harness it as other nations have done for their development.
He assured Nigerians that the party’s presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would continue with the country’s gas development plan as an alternative source of revenue.
Okowa, who spoke on a Channels Television programme: “People’s Town Hall” monitored in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said a Federal Government under Atiku would check illegal oil bunkering, including high profile theft of the nation’s petroleum products.
He called for proper enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to check oil theft.
Okowa said Nigeria is currently not getting maximum benefit from its oil production because it was hamstrung by high-profile oil theft, including illegal oil bunkering, which has negatively affected the country’s oil production quota.
He said: “While other countries are getting a lot more resources from oil to develop other sectors of their economy, we don’t seem to benefit from that because we are producing less than what we ought to produce.
“There is the need to ramp up production by dealing with illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region through strong community engagement and by ensuring implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“We can also achieve that by ensuring the communities have a buy-in and also work with security agencies to deal with oil theft.
“The gas sector is one that we tend to ignore. If we come in next year, we will ensure continuation of the gas development plan, and the reforms will be carried out critically to rake in more resources for the country.”
The Delta State government said a PDP administration at the centre would be committed to fuel subsidy removal because it has been draining Nigeria’s resources.
He said Atiku would have been the greatest hero of today’s Nigeria, if he had been among those insisting that 2023 was Southeast’s turn to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.
Okeke-Ogene, who is also the National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, said the PDP flag bearer would have seen next year’s election as a payback time for the sacrifices Ndigbo made for him during the last general election in 2019.
He said: “If conscience is anything to go by, the two major political parties couldn’t have fielded candidates from any other zone other than the Southeast. The Igbo are being persecuted …today because they gave Atiku during his last election 95 per cent votes.
“What Obasanjo and others are doing today is what we had expected from Atiku, who happens to be our in-law. That’s why it’s not good to vote according to sentiments.
“Atiku would have known that the entire Southeast sacrificed their votes and interest for him and see this election as a payback time. He wouldn’t have engineered and funded the ‘no-zoning’ campaign because we voted for him based on zoning.
“Atiku would have been the greatest hero of our times, if he had been in the forefront of championing its turn of the Southeast. But if Atiku fails in this election, he will go to the grave as unrepentant person, sorry to use that word, but it’s very unfortunate.”
December 13, 2022
2023: Okowa Accuse Peter Obi of Dragging Church into Politics
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, of attempting to gather votes by whipping up sentiments through the church.
Obi has made several visits to churches where he was warmly received.
In an interview in Kano state, Okowa who is the governor of Delta state, said the church should not be dragged into politics.
Responding to a question on the allegation by some that his emergence as vice presidential candidate of the PDP was a betrayal to the south, especially with Obi’s increasing popularity in the zone, Okowa said it was unfortunate that people hang on to anything even to the detriment of their fate.
“Now you begin to look at what is going on; the Peter Obi factor is as if he is trying to go through the church and make it look as if he is driving the Christians into politics. I do not believe that the church should actively go into politics because that is not their calling.
But people are just hanging to anything they can reach out to even to the detriment of their fate. I don’t believe that’s the right part to go” he said
August 31, 2022
It’s time for PDP’s return – Okowa
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta says it is time for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) return to power at the centre, after being in the opposition for many years.
Okowa said this when he spoke with newsmen shortly after his official announcement as the party’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election in Abuja on Thursday.
“ There is a huge challenge in our nation and PDP has said that it wanted to rescue this country and rebuild it.
“To be able to do that, you need a man who has the right experience and obviously I have been picked today as vice-presidential candidate of the PDP to rescue Nigeria and to rebuild it.
“I am truly very excited that I have been asked to join that ticket to be able to work with him as his vice-presidential candidate,” Okowa said.
He commended the PDP presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the party leaders for finding him worthy of being its 2023 presidential running mate.
“Mr President in waiting, I must truly thank you for finding me worthy to be on this ticket. I do know that it was a very tough decision, even as you have spoken this afternoon.
“But I thank God that among my very qualified colleagues, even those more qualified than me, that I found favour and I’m here today as the vice presidential candidate of the party.
“While thanking you, I do understand that it’s a great work that is ahead of us. By the special grace of God, we will work hard to ensure victory for the party.
“There is no doubt that there is a great work ahead of each and every one of us,” Okowa said.
He added:“The building back process is going to be collective and we are trusting that all of our team members will want to be part of that story at the end of the day.
“The story which will obviously be positive and will yield positive results, will require that each and every one of us must support our principal as we move forth in the next few months and that at the end, we will win the elections with a landslide victory.”
This, according to Okowa required a lot of commitment from all PDP members.
“It will requires the unity of each and every one of us in our various wards, in our various local governments and states. We need the PDP to return to power,” he said.
He urged party faithful and Nigerians to read through Abubakar’s policy document “My Covenant with Nigerians”, which prescribed solutions challenges facing Nigeria.
“He is the only one that has been able to come out with a document that you can trust and that document is good for our country Nigeria .
“ In the next few weeks, you will be hearing a lot from our campaign organisation,” he said.
Okowa assured Nigerians that the party was in the process of ensuring that the nation was returned back to its glorious days.
“We are prepared for governance, we are prepared for inclusion and we are prepared to bring Nigeria together.
“We are prepared to run a governance that is based on integrity and experience,” he said.
Okowa said that his emergence as the party’s running mate, ahead of Gov. Wilson Wike of Rivers would not cause division in the party.
“I know Wike is a very strong party man, he has great love for our party.
“I believe he is also a good democrat and he understands that when several persons are in the race for a particular position, only one person will be at the front in time.
“ I want to assure you that Wike is a very good man and his interest for this country and party to be able to rise up to the challenge at the moment is strong. I do not feel he is going to be disappointed,” he said.
June 16, 2022
BREAKING: Atiku Finally Announce Okowa As Running Mate
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has finally unveiled Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.
He unveiled Okowa at the PDP headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Okowa and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State were initially pencilled down for the role of Atiku’s running mate.
Speaking during the unveiling, the former Vice President said his running mate must be able to speak his mind freely.
He also said Okowa must be ready to work with him at all times.
Atiku said the decision of his “running mate was a difficult decision, but I’m not afraid to take such decisions.”
June 16, 2022
Okowa Commissions N3.2b World Class Diagnostic Center In Sokoto
By Muhammad Goronyo,Sokoto
A multi-billion naira advanced medical diagnostic centre built by the Sokoto State Government has been completed and commissioned by the Delta state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa located along Kasarawa.
The Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who was over 40 years into the medical services while commissioning the centre on Wednesday evening assisted by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Executive Council Members and other stakeholders, government dignitaries and officials of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said the facility is world-class and a milestone in the history of medical diagnosis in Nigeria.
Governor Okowa, who is a medical doctor, is in Sokoto to take part in a meeting of the NMA holding in the state.
The facility, with state-of-the art medical equipment, has a Radiology Unit, Laboratory Unit, Out-patient Clinics, Dental Unit, and ENT Unit. It will offer a variety of services, including Medical Investigations, Radiological Investigations, and Laboratory Investigations.
It has provision for ECG, Stress ECG, Echocardiography, and Vascular Doppler, Gastrology, Endoscopy, Neurology, and EEG.
It also has extensive capacity for MRI, CT scan, Fluoroscopy, Digital X-ray, Mammography, Chemical Pathology, Histopathology, Microbiology, and Hematology.
Already, medical consultants, medical officers, laboratory scientists/technicians, nurses and other personnel required for the smooth running of the centre are being hired.
For efficiency, the centre will be managed by Healthfield Medical Services Ltd, through a public-private partnership model.
The project was executed for approximately N3.2billion, with about N824million spent on construction and N2.4billion expended on equipping the centre. Katuru & Partners Limited handled construction while Minjiriya Medical Services Limited executed the supply and installation of diagnostic equipment.
In his remarks, Governor Tambuwal said the centre will provide high-quality cutting edge medical diagnostics services for the people of Sokoto, other Nigerians and nationals of neighbouring countries.
“A staggering number of Nigerians seek healthcare services abroad, it has been reported that 5,000 Nigerians travel overseas for medical treatment monthly, with an estimated bill of over $1 billion annually. This has been as a result of non-availability of advanced healthcare technology in our health facilities,” Dr Inname said.
“There are 860 public and private health facilities in Sokoto State. For this number of health facilities to provide effective services for a population of over 5 million in the state, they must adopt advanced technologies that are used globally.
“Because of this consideration, the Sokoto State Government under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal designed, constructed and equipped this new Advanced Medical Diagnostics Centre to provide high-quality cutting edge medical diagnostics services comparable to any other place in the world.
“The overall objective here is to provide healthcare services for our people and make Sokoto a hub for medical tourism, so the services provided by the centre are designed in such a way that they are are affordable to people.
The Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar who advised the state government for the facility two years which has now has become a reality thanked God for being a witness of being among those to witness the commissioning ceremony .
He said there is need to find alternative measures of maintaining the center. Through stakeholders, this would bring the center laudable success especially if resource are generated from well to do personalities and thanked those who contributed in one way or another towards the success of the edifice.
He said the center will no doubt reduce many patients travelling outside the state and abroad in search of reliable comprehensive diagnostic and allied healthcare services.
Earlier, the state Commissioner of Health Dr. Muhammad Ali Inname said the event was a milestone in their firm determination to positively transform the lives of their people i n all facets of human endeavours.
He said the center will no doubt reduce many patients travelling outside the state and abroad in search of reliable comprehensive diagnostic and allied healthcare services.
December 2, 2021
Talent Development: Gov. Okowa urges private-sector support in Nigeria
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, has called on the private sector to support talent development and tourism in the country.
The governor made the call when he received the “Made in Delta Talent Search” winners, led by the Producer and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Talent Development, Akpobome Ogude (Ogus Baba), on Friday in Asaba.
He said that the private sector has a critical role to play in talent development as government alone cannot fund the budding talents that abound in the country.
Okowa said that his administration is building a film village and leisure park in Asaba, the state capital, that would be ready for use in December 2021.
“I am truly very impressed and I must use this opportunity to congratulate all of you that won, because it brought a lot of joy to me and am glad that so many of our youths truly came out to participate.
“There are so many talented youths but a few of you came out successful and I must use this opportunity to congratulate all the youths that participated.
“They may not have been successful this time around but they must continue to nurture their talents as they could become winners in the future.
“I am glad that the SSA, Talent Development, is working not just to identify talents, but to also improve on them,” he said.
The governor called on the winners to ensure they remain committed and resilient to excel in their future endeavors.
“As winners of the maiden edition, you have become the role models, so there is the need for you to work harder to ensure you become more successful in the future.
“There is a lot of commitment that is needed for success and it is my hope that you will all stay committed.
“You must devote time to ensure you come out the best in whatever you do and it’s important that you develop the character that will attract people to patronise you.
“Those who are resilient in their business actually have great stories to tell at the end of the day,” he said.
Ha assured that his administration remains committed to developing talents and tourism potentials in the state.
According to him, the private sector and well-meaning individuals should support the talent development search in the state and country as government cannot do it alone.
“We are actually committed to the development of the talents that are naturally endowed in the state.
“I truly believe that we have a lot of budding talents in Delta and we will continue to encourage them.
“Yes, there is need for government and private-sector support but your personal support is your zeal to succeed and it is very important”.
Earlier, Ogude expressed delight and appreciation to the governor for supporting talent development in the state.
He noted that Delta was the only state engaged in talent development and called for support from the private sector to revolutionarise the sector.
The SSA said the project took three months of rigorous work to arrive at the 10 finalists, adding that over 2,000 Delta residents enrolled for the programme while auditions were held in Asaba, Warri and Ughelli.
“I am privileged because you have given us all the tools and resources needed to work in delivering this talent search.
“I am glad that we are giving them a platform to shine into the future because these talented youths can use their skills to employ other youths,” Ogude said.
The highpoint of the visit was the presentation of gifts to the governor and rendition of a team song, titled “Stronger Delta” by the winners.
September 18, 2021
Okowa mourns ex-AGF, Akinjide
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has commiserated with the family of the late Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), as well as the government and people of Oyo State, on the death of the ex-Attorney-General of the Federation.
The governor’s condolence was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Wednesday in Asaba.
Okowa recalled that Akinjide, also a former Minister of Justice, during late Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s administration, died on Tuesday at his Ibadan home in Oyo State at 89 years.
The governor said that Akinjide would be remembered for his famous “technical’’ submission which led to the resolution of the controversy surrounding the electoral victory of Alhaji Shagari and the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 1979 Presidential Election.
He said that the late lawyer made outstanding contributions to the development of the country before, during and after serving as its chief law officer.
Okowa said that as President of the Nigeria Bar Association from 1970 to 1973, Akinjide served without blemish.
He also recalled that it was under the watch of the legal icon, as Minister of Justice, that Nigeria reversed executions of armed robbers and abolished the Decree barring persons on exile from returning to the country.
“Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN, was one of the politicians of the pre-independence era, a First Republic Parliamentarian and Minister of Education and Second Republic Attorney General of the Federation.
“He, Akinjide, contributed immensely to legal reforms and development of jurisprudence in Nigeria.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I convey our heartfelt condolences to his family, the government and people of Oyo state, the President and members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) on the demise of the renowned lawyer and elder statesman.
“It is our prayer that the Almighty God will grant members of his family and colleagues at the Bar, the fortitude to bear this loss,” Okowa said.
April 22, 2020