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Former member of the House of Representatives, Evelyn Oboro is facing backlash after she was appointed Special Adviser by Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Oboro, Chief Lucky Ekayama Loyibo, a member of the State Judicial Service Commission, and chairman and members of the State’s Sports Commission were sworn in on Tuesday in Asaba, the State capital.
The Sports Commission has Chief Tonobok Okowa as Chairman and Rev. Omatshola Williams, Chief Chinonye Daphey and Chief Ernest Juweto as members.
However, some Deltans were of the opinion that to be a Special Adviser to Governor Okowa was too low for the person of Oboro, whom they said should have turned down the offer of the appointment.
Reacting to the comments about her appointment, the former House member, who represented the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rather expressed excitement.
“First and foremost I thank God Almighty for making me see this day. I thank Governor Okowa for finding me worthy to be among those who advise him.
“The same people who said Oboro is a woman and can not be Senator are the same people saying to be Special Adviser to the governor is too low for Oboro.
“If you know the duties of a Special Adviser to a Governor, then a two time House of Representatives member has experience, knowledge and wisdom to advise a governor.
“To be an adviser to a governor is a rare opportunity. I am very grateful to Governor Okowa. Nobody recommends a Special Adviser to a governor. The governor choses whoever he knows and feels has the experience to advise him.
“When you contest an election you offer to serve and its a choice, but when you are appointed into an office you are called to serve, it is an offer.
“Honestly I am happy, grateful and thankful to Governor Okowa. I am happy and peaceful. I appreciate all of you who have encouraged me in one way or the other with your posts, prayers, comments and presence. God bless you more than you ever imagined,” Oboro stated.
Meanwhile, Governor Okowa has congratulated the appointees, urging political office holders in the State to be guided at all times by good governance and leadership principles.
Okowa stressed that the appointees were well chosen as “men and women with strong work ethic, discipline and commitment’’.
According to him, it is a good mix of motivators and technocrats, enthusiasm and experience, passion and temperance.
He, however, urged the officer to be diligent in their responsibilities, saying “it is imperative that your decisions, actions and utterances as political office holders are guided by the principles of good governance, leadership by example, prudent management, effective public communication, excellent service delivery and collective responsibility.
“You should discharge your responsibilities in accordance with section 196 sub-sections 1 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and work for the good governance and development of the state.
“To the newly sworn-in Special Adviser, it is imperative that you get yourself thoroughly acquainted with the policy direction of this administration by getting a copy of my Inauguration Speech and digest it properly.
“It goes without saying that you are required to render advisory services to the Governor and work in close liaison with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“I welcome sound and professional advice that will put the administration on the path of delivering the dividends of democracy and finishing strong.
“This administration is ever ready to listen to good advice and work with it as long as it will further our developmental aspirations and impact positively on the lives of our people.’’
He commended the Sports Commission for the outstanding work it did in the first term of his administration, recalling that Delta retained its front-runner status in athletics, coming first in all National Youth Games and the National Sports Festival 2019 by a very wide margin.
“It is also gratifying to note that the State successfully hosted the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship, also known as Asaba 2018, at the reconstructed Stephen Keshi Stadium and it is expected that this board will strive to sustain this momentum and break new grounds.
“I am delighted with the coming of the Delta Sports Festival and football competitions for our primary and secondary schools; hopefully, these competitions will help us to discover new talents in the areas we have competitive edge such as athletics, football, boxing and hockey thereby, putting the Stephen Keshi Stadium to good use.
“The Sports Commission will need to do more in terms of attracting national and continental sporting events aside from their great entertainment/recreational value.
“These also have the multiplier effect of impacting positively on the hospitality industry and the retail economy as we saw with Asaba 2018 and the Aiteo Cup Final 2018.
“I assure you that this administration shall continue to give the necessary support and cooperation that all appointees require to be able to discharge their duties to the utmost of their individual abilities and in an environment that is empowering and liberating,” the Governor said.