Nigeria’ll Be Better With Restructuring Ibori Led A Decade Ago – Okowa

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, says restructuring of the country which was championed more than a decade ago by former governor James Ibori would make the country a better place.

“The battle for restructuring was led by our leader, Chief James Ibori more than a decade ago; and what he saw then is now being echoed by others.

“Delta State will continue to be a voice of reasoning for the Nigerian nation and I thank the Urhobos for their stand on restructuring, the Urhobos have added their voice because, we do know that Nigeria will be a better place with restructuring…

He however urged politicians to avoid actions that will cause disaffection or lead to destruction ahead of the 2019 general elections, urging candidates to woo the people with their programmes and work towards free,  fair and acceptable elections which will reposition Nigeria among the comity of nations.

Meanwhile, the governor has attributed the success recorded by his administration to the peaceful co-existence of different ethnic groups in the State.

The governor noted that the peace and unity that exists among the different ethnic nationalities in the state have contributed greatly to the success story of his administration.

“If there is division in any of the ethnic nationalities, there will be problem and as long as each of the ethnic nationalities are at peace with themselves, it will be easy for government to manage its affairs; these have helped us to carry out development projects without distractions.”

While calling on the ethnic nationalities to continue to live in peace, the governor observed that the SPDC will listen to the call of different ethnic nationalities to relocate back to Warri which will not only contribute to the economy of the people but, that of the state.

“We are committed to developing the economy of our people through the provision of jobs because, if the economy of our people grow, we will grow the economy of our state, our people believe that with the return of Shell to Warri, our economy will boom again.”

He commended the unity that exists among the Urhobos, observing that his administration was about to achieve a lot in the delivery of dividends of democracy due to the peace that exists among different ethnic nationalities in the state.

The governor who was accompanied to the occasion by political aides stated, “there is no doubt that the UPU is a very strong union, it is an embodiment of strength of the Urhobo people and I want to thank the leadership of UPU for keeping faith with the ideals of the founding fathers of the UPU; it is good that you have respect for the traditional rulers and I must appreciate the traditional rulers who have come together to ensure that there is no division in the UPU.”

Former Governor James Ibori at the occasion, commended the President-General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga “for the work he has done in the last four years and I thank the traditional rulers for working for the  unity of Urhobo land, the people should consider the overall interest of the Urhobo nation at all times; as we continue to ask our Governor to do more for us, we must keep the peace which is necessary for development to take place.”

Chief Ibori noted that it was a good development that different ethnic groups and concerned individuals are lending their voice to the call on SPDC to return to Warri, asserting, “Shell will make Warri boom again.”

Earlier, Olorogun Moses Taiga in an address, listed the achievements of his administration and commended Governor Okowa’s  administration for its developmental strides especially in Urhobo land, stating that the UPU will join forces with other ethnic nationalities to make strong representation to Hon. Victor Nwokolo-led committee on Petroleum at the Federal House of Representatives for Shell to return to Warri.

He disclosed that the youths, elders, women are all eager for Shell to return to Warri.