The Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa have charged other communities in the Niger Delta Region to emulate the people of Benikrukru Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State for their peaceful disposition in the transition process of the new community executives.
The governor made the commendation through the commissioner of youths development Delta State, Hon. Asupa Peter Forteta at the Oboro Ultra-Modern multipurpose playground at Benikrukru Community during the swearing in ceremony held today.
“It has become axiomatic that without peace, there would be no meaningful development, in view of this, haven’t looked at the transition process and processes that led to the formation of this new executives that was devoid of violence of any kind, I must say that such rare fit has to be emulated by other communities in the Niger Delta, you people have to be commended heavily by your peaceful disposition ” Hon. Forteta stated.
Speaking during the event, Chief Favour Izoukumo, Commissioner representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC also promised that the community would indeed have a high priority in the commission when it comes to development due to its peaceful conduct of election.
Chief Izuokumo, speaking among other burning issues also charges members of the community to continue to shun violence while calling on them to sustain the already existing peaceful atmosphere experienced so far.
He particularly called on the youths to always embrace peace and should never resort to pipeline vandalism no matter the circumstance, adding that the Governor Okowa led administration of Delta State have actually carried the Ijaws of the State along owing to the appointments given to the Ijaws into executive offices and other important appointments.
On his part, the Executive Chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. George Ekpemupolo have also charged the newly elected executives to build an egalitarian leadership, according to him the community chairman and his cabinet members should see themselves as servants of the people and not the other way round.
In his welcome address, the newly elected Chairman of Benikrukru Community, Mr. Godwin R. Olufemi after his swearing in, pledges to work with his executive members and the entire community to extend and expand the development of the community, he said with his emergence, he new hope has been born.
The address read in part “Our community has been neglected for decades now. If you look around you will find out for yourself, the only Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC project on ground is the sand filling project approved is yet to be executed. We want to use this medium to appeal to the government, both state and federal to remember our community
On my part I promised never to fail, I promised to energise and mobilized our people on the next phase of this struggle for development. I put myself to the task, knowing well that the foundation laid by our forefathers must never be destroyed. I commit myself to continue this work of excellence and the upliftment of our people both home and abroad ” God Mr. Godwin pledges.
The event was hugely graced by the political class, business tycoons, traditional leaders and prominent among them includes Hon. Asupa Forteta, Commissioner for Youths Development, Delta State; Chief Favour Izoukumo, Commissioner representing the Ijaws on the board of DESOPADEC; Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Abuja; The Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, Chief Jeffrey E. Ojogun, The Amadiwei of Benikrukru Community; Comr. Sheriff Mulade, Chairman of Kokodiagbene Community; Mr. Victor Tonlagha with the host of others.
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