Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has appealed to the people of Okpanam Kingdom to take measures to sustain the prevailing peace in the community in order to ensure meaningful development.

Okowa made the appeal on Thursday at a reception organised by the community in honour of its illustrious son and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah.

He said the community was known for its receptive disposition to strangers, adding that the only way to honour their son, in his new office, was to sustain the peace.

According to him, Ukah has two qualities, including capacity and humility, which made him the right choice for the exalted office of the SSG.

“We are here to congratulate you as your people honour you.

“As your people honour you, it means they have accepted you and as such you will have the enabling environment to do your work for the state government.

“Ukah’s appointment is truly from God.

“From the time I dissolved the executive council (EXCO), and we started our prayers to God for the reconstitution of the EXCO, one man kept ringing in my mind and when I tried to shrug it off, it continues to return.

“I was convinced that God was speaking to me and I know that Ukah’s appointment came from God. It was only a ministration to me,” he said.

The governor, however, described the office of the SSG as a “problematic” one.

“It takes your time, so the people of Oshimili North and the Okpanam kingdom must be patient with him because of the burden of the state work.

“But am aware that he has two qualities that are needed to be able to function in that office – capacity and loyalty.
“It is my prayer that God will help him to focus on this gold,” he said.

In an address of welcome, the Traditional Ruler (Ugoani) of Okpanam, Dr Michael Mbanefo, thanked the governor for appointing Ukah into his cabinet.

Mbanefo said the appointment of Ukah, first as a commissioner and now SSG was the first time an Okpanam son would occupy a place in the cabinet since Delta was created in 1991.

“Since the creation of Delta, no Okpanam indigene had been appointed into the state EXCO.

“We are proud that you found our son, the ‘Akatakpo Enyi’ (the giant elephant) of Okpanam Kingdom, worthy to serve in your administration as two-time commissioner and now SSG.

“We also thank you for the de-acquisition of part of Obodogba land and the recent increase in the number of electoral wards in Okpanam.

“But permit me to remind you of your promise to construct the Ibusa/Okpanam/Ugbolu and Akwukwu Igbo link road to open up the economy of the communities.

“To appreciate your untiring efforts in making Okpanam and Delta a model for others to emulate, the Ugoani Traditional Council has approved the conferment of the highest title for non-indigenes on you and your amiable wife at a date to be decided soon,” the royal father said.

Also, the SSG thanked the governor for finding him worthy to serve in his cabinet.

He also appreciated the monarch and entire people of Okpanam and Oshimili north for their continued support to him and the Okowa-led government.

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He concurred with the governor that his appointment was divine, saying he never lobbied for the position.
He said this was the reason he received the announcement about his appointment as SSG with shock.

“Your Excellency, when you were going to appoint me, you never called me, and I told people about it but they didn’t believe me,” Ukah said.

He described the governor as a man of vision, a team builder and committed leader, who had transformed Okpanam and the state through his infrastructure development.

He pledged to give his best in his service to the state, adding that he would remain loyal and committed to his job as the SSG.