Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember you have within you the strength, patience and passion to reach for the skies to change the world”
This time honoured aphorism by Harriet Tubman seems to have inspired the founding fathers and successive administrations in Delta State, who despite the knotty challenges facing the creation of the state 33 years ago, worked and are still working assiduously to make the state the cynosure of all eyes with respect to verifiable and meaningful developments and expansion of the frontiers of the dividends of democracy to the people.
As the state marks 33 years anniversary today, we salute the foresight and visionary leadership of the founding fathers, including the pioneer Military administrator, Luke Ochulor, His excellency Olorogun Felix Ibru, Abdulkadir Shehu, Bassey Asuquo, Ibrahim kefas, John Dungs, Walter Feghabor, His Excellency, Chief James Ibori, His excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, His excellency, Sam Obi, His excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the incumbent governor, His excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
On August 27, 1991, when Delta State was carved out of the defunct Bendel State, the founding fathers had a clear vision and mission to succeed and with courage, driven by undiluted passion, strength and perseverance, were able to surmount the teething problems.
Some of these problems ranged from acute shortage of accomodation both for official and residential needs of government agencies and personal, lack of adequate infrastructural facilities such as roads, electricity rural urban transformation, health and educational facilities befitting the state not only at Asaba the state capital but other parts of the state.
The new political configuration following the coming on stream of Delta state also precipitated problem of absorption of civil servants of the state origin who were disengaged from the services of the sister of Edo state.
Besides, there was the inexorable challenge of maintaining peace and security, which for a newly created state cannot by any stretch of imagination be dismissed with a wave of hand.
These and many more teething problems were however, painstakingly tackled and in no distant time the stage got set for great achievements in the social, political and economic chessboard of the state.
Warri crisis for instance which posed a serious threat to development in the state, was x-rayed and with a fine tooth comb, solutions were distilled out and warring ethnic nationalities embraced peace needed by government to perform optimally and be accountable to the people. Thirty-three years after, the state no doubt has undergone series of social, political and economic transformations and indeed recorded milestonesas reference point on rapid, massive modern people-oriented development.
While the first set of civil servants operated from rented apartments in Asaba , Warri, Agbor and indeed all the 25 local government Areas of the state on creation of the state, today, the state government has two magnificent state secretariats, the Olorogun Felix Ibru and Obi Professor Chike Edozien secretariats at the state capital, Asaba, with state of the art equipment for office use in addition to various housing schemes for residential accommodation of civil servants while local government offices are located in modern government edifices across the state.
The state capital, Asaba and other cities, including Agbor, Warri, Oghara, Sapele, Ughelli and Bomadi, just to mention a few, have since received massive facelift, such as road constructions, expanded electrification, potable water, beautification, urban renewal among others.
Apart from the cities, other parts of the state have also witnessed tremendous transformation with motorable roads constructed to open up rural areas, as well as the waterways in the riverine areas.
This concerted effort of government tremendously contributed to positive development in transportation and commercial activities between urban and rural areas.
In education sector, the state, in the past 33 years, has recorded landmark achievements visible to all and sundry.
For instance, while the state at inception had only one university (Delta State University, Abraka), today it can boast of four state-owned universities and polytechnics, which are providing needed opportunities for admission seekers considering the fact that education is a major industry in the state.
The state-owned universities are Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Dennis Osadebe University (DOU), Asaba, University of Delta State (UNIDEL), Agbor and Delta State University of Science and Technology (DSUST), Ozoro.
The polytechnics are Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State Polytechnic,Oghara, among others.
Similarly, the number of secondary and primary schools in the state has up scaled since the creation of the state.
Health sector also witnessed big boost both in provisions of modern medical equipment, medical personnel, service delivery and extension of same to all nooks and crannies of the state.
The contributory health scheme of the state also brought huge reliefs to all especially the less privileged seeking health care services.
In tourism, entertainment and, ports Delta remains the centre of reference as tourism, sports and Nollywood merchants always see the state as first choice in showcasing their business.
No doubt, Delta in the past 33 years achieved a lot of its dreams but as we celebrate, we must not forget the admonition of Dale E. Turner that “Dreams are renewable. No matter our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born”.
Happy 33rd anniversary.
