BY ANDREW IKEHI
LI Zong Laozi, (better pronounced as Lao Tzu) is a semi-legendary ancient Chinese philosopher and author of the Tao Te Ching, the foundational text of Taoism along with the Zhuangzi
It was who, many years ago that said, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.”
Similarly, and thinking in same direction was a Catholic Missionary, Mother Teresa who said, “Sometimes, the best way to conquer is to let your team believe they’re in charge, adding, she said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Both quotes from World best Philosophers aptly describe the antecedents of the man behind this discourse, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
With virtually no proverbial silver spoon in his mouth – as it is said – at his birth in Oporoza Town in Warri South local government area of Delta State barely four decades ago, Dennis, as he was fondly called then by his peers, had a humble beginning, weathering the storms of the ancient Warri.
Rt Hon. Guwor, a graduate of Religious Studies from the Delta State University Abraka, Law (LLB) from Benson Idahosa University Benin, and a Master’s degree holder in Public Administration from University of Benin, (UNIBEN) Nigeria was elected Speaker of the 8th Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly on the 13th of June 2023.
Few months after his emergence as Speaker of the State legislature, he was also elected the Treasurer, Conference of Speakers of State Houses Assembly in Nigeria.
His political journey, particularly as a state lawmaker began in 2019 when he was first elected as Member Representing Warri South West State Constituency.
Between 2019-2023, he served as Chairman, House of Assembly committee on Delta state Oil Producing Areas Commission (DESOPADEC) just as he has also, sponsored and co-sponsored several Motions and bills in the state house of Assembly.
As Speaker of the current state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Guwor Emomotimi who believes strongly in the spirit of team play, has, within the past Sixteen months of steering the wheel of fortune in the State legislature recorded tremendous legislative progress.
In the first one year of his administration, the House under his watch has considered some notable motions and adopted resolutions significant to the welfare and security of Deltans. Some of the motions and resolution include;
1. Resolution calling on the Governor to (i) Set out security measures in place to forestall a recurrence of the destruction of farm lands and produce by Herdsmen in Abraka and its Environs which occurred on 17th August, 2023, and
(ii) Ensure that the peace, love and order that is presently prevailing in the communities be maintained.
2. Motion condemning rising incidence of open sex trade and use of illicit drugs among youths in Asaba and Environs.
3. Motion calling on the Governor to prohibit the use of styrofoam (also known as polystyrene) as cups, plates or any form of packaging for food or beverages in the State.
Similarly, within same period under review, the House received a total of eighteen Bills; fifteen Executive Bills and three Private Members Bills. Out of the eighteen Bills the Nine have been passed and three assented to: These include;
1. Supplementary Appropriation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 – passed and assented to.
2. Additional Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022 – passed and assented to.
3. Appropriation Bill, 2024 – passed and assented to.
4. Delta State Merit Award Bill, 2023 – passed and awaiting assent.
5. Delta State Social Investment Programme Bill, 2023 – passed and awaiting assent.
6. Delta State Persons with Disability Bill, 2023 – passed and awaiting assent.
7. Delta State Polytechnic Burutu (Amendment) Bill, 2024 – passed and awaiting assent.
8. Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2024 – passed and awaiting assent.
9. Delta State Administration of Civil Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2024 – passed and awaiting assent.
Eight of the remaining Bills are undergoing consideration before the House, while the last one was withdrawn by the sponsors.
