From Joseph Obukata (The New Diplomat N/Delta Correspondent)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum under the leadership of Sokoto state governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has send a congratulatory message to Delta state Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa as he clocks 61, Wednesday.
This comes as former governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu as well as former Secretary to the Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, also felicitated with the governor on occasion of his birthday.
A statement by the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum, reads; “We send fraternal greetings to His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, and all the other PDP Governors on his 61st birthday celebration.
“We convey the best wishes and good tidings from the PDP Governors’ to you on this memorable occasion.
“We pray for God’s healing hands upon you and your family. May He continue to bestow his blessings and protection upon you. May He continue to guide you as you pilot the affairs of Delta State to greater heights.
“You have been a focused and determined leader of men, a peace loving, humble, committed and steadfast leader who has transformed the socio-economic and political fortunes of Delta State through the SMART AGENDA. Your achievements in infrastructure, Education, Healthcare, human capital development, strategic wealth creation initiatives, Agriculture and industrialisation policies, security of lives and property, and peaceful coexistence of all communities in Delta State are worthy of emulation.
“You are indeed one the pillars and guardians of the Forum and a reservoir of wisdom, knowledge and strength in the governance of not just Delta State but Nigeria as a whole.
“Please be assured of the solidarity and kindly receive the felicitations of your colleagues of the PDP Governors’ Forum, as you mark this day. Happy Birthday, Your Excellency”.
Meanwhile, the former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has congratulated his successor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on his 61st birthday.
Uduaghan, a leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) felicitated with the governor in a post made on his facebook page.
The former governor also wished Okowa, and family quick recovery from COVID-19 positive which became public knowledge few weeks ago.
“I join your family, our dear state and your well wishers around the world in wishing you a happy birthday!
“This birthday is a different one especially as you and your family recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also at a time you are leading the State in battling this coronavirus outbreak. It is truly a difficult time, for not just public office holders but also for the led.
“As I join the entire state in praying for you and your family, I ask God to use your recovery as a point of contact to all those battling the virus in Delta, Nigeria and the world.
“May God’s grace and wisdom continue to be with you as you navigate the ship of Delta State.
“Congratulations my Governor!”, the former governor wrote.
Similarly, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has described Governor Okowa, as an astute Leader who has continued to demonstrate exceptional wisdom and exemplary maturity in the handling of affairs and issues, not only in Delta State, but also in Nigeria as a whole.
Elumelu made this remarks in a statement he personally signed on the occasion of Okowa’s 61st birthday anniversary on Wednesday 8th July, 2020.
Elumelu commended Governor Okowa for his commitment in the development of humanity saying that his life has been an epitome of service, humility, sincerity and unprecedented fear of God.
“It is wonderful and pleasing to be celebrating a great man who has been instrumental and devoted to the service of humanity and the development of our dear Delta State, with all sincerity and humility, on this auspicious occasion of his birthday today.
“I commend your maturity and great wisdom which has in no small measure added great value to Delta State, our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Nigeria in general.
“I salute your Excellency for what the Lord God Almighty has used you to do for our people in Delta State. You have brought peace, progress, unity and stability to the state and for our people. Your developmental strides are unequalled and unprecedented in the anals of our beloved State.
“Your leadership qualities have been amazing and infectious and has translated into great love for you across Delta State and Nigeria.
“As I congratulate you on your birthday today, on behalf of my entire family, the people of Delta State and the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, I am also confident that the good Lord Who called you for this great service, will perfect His healing on you and your family and continue to sustain, strengthen, as well as guide you in the accomplishment of the task of Nation building, to his glory.
“Congratulations Your Excellency. We wish you speedy recovery to full and complete health and many happy returns my beloved Governor,” the Minority Leader concluded in the statement.
In a related development, a former Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay has felicitated with Governor Okowa as the Governor marks his 61st birthday anniversary.
Macaulay in a congratulatory message he personally signed on Wednesday, said that though the birthday is once a year, he celebrates the governor every day because of his vision and inspiring leadership of the state.
He said: “Your footprints in the sands of time are bold and visible to all, with accomplishments in politics and governance of gigantic note.
“As we mark this unique day with you, my prayer is that God Almighty in His infinite mercies will grant you and your family speedy recovery; and divine health henceforth to steer the ship of the State to greater heights.”
He prayed that the Governor’s new age and the decades ahead should be ordained with greater blessings and wisdom to successfully navigate the State out of its current challenges.
