Gov Oborevwori: Championing Renewed Hope, Transformative Leadership in Delta

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq

Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been making waves in Delta State, leaving an indelible mark on the state’s development landscape. With a tenure marked by numerous achievements, Oborevwori has solidified his position as one of Nigeria’s most effective leaders.

After joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) in April this year, governor Oborevwori administration adopted the Renewal Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, and renamed his programme the “Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda” a combination of federal government and Delta State government common agenda.

Under Oborevwori’s leadership, Delta State has witnessed significant infrastructure development, particularly the ongoing mega flyover bridge projects in Warri, Effurun, Agbor and Ughelli, undertaken by Julius Berger, aim to alleviate traffic congestion and boost economic activity, flag off of notable projects including the Effurun/Sapele Road expansion/reconstruction, Anwai/Ugbolu road dualization, Ugbolu Onwuka road, and Ogbotobor Avenue in Oshimili South local government.

In the education sector, governor Oborevwori established the Orerokpe Campus of Western Delta University, the College of Health Technology, Ovrode, and approval for the construction of the College Health Sciences building, renovation of classroom blocks, laboratories, and ICT centers, and hired over 5,500 new teaching and non-teaching staff, and approved recruitment of over 600 staff to strengthen the sector.

Other achievements includes; completion of the State-of-the-art High Court Complex in Asaba, and the ongoing construction of Osubi Specialist Hospital, ongoing reconstruction of Warri Township Stadium designed to met international standard in terms of facilities and modern technology, remodelling of the state socioeconomic development, training and retaining of civil and public servants across board, etc.

Awards and Recognition: Oborevwori’s exceptional leadership has earned him several prestigious awards, including; Silverbird Governor of the Year (2023), ThisDay/Arise Governor of the Year (2024), Vanguard Governor of the Year (Infrastructure) 2024, Telegraph Newspaper Governor of the Year (2024), and NADESSTU Merit Award for outstanding contributions to education, Best Governor in South-South Geopolitical Political Zone, and several others.

Commitment to Good Governance: Oborevwori’s administration has prioritized transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement, as reflected in his MORE Agenda (Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security).

His Transformative initiatives attracted investments in energy, technology, and infrastructure, leveraging Delta’s gas potentials for cleaner energy and industrial expansion. It is hoped that in the near future, Brazil, China and Germany would invest heavily in the agriculture, modern transportation and infrastructure development, as can be seen from the official trips to these countries to boost foreign direct investments.

The Governor signed a ₦78 billion gas utilization deal with UTM LNG to monetize gas, reduce flaring, and boost energy security, and in sports, Delta State hosted and dominated sporting events, including the National Youth Games and National Sports Festival, supported Delta State Sports Commission, yielding impressive results and sustaining excellence in competitive sports

And on economic growth, vocational training and empowerment for growth of medium and small scale businesses, governor Oborevwori launched initiatives focusing on youth and women empowerment, including MORE Grants scheme, D-CARES, WESAP, and entrepreneurship programmes, reduced the state total debt by over 46%, from ₦465.3 billion to ₦249.2 billion, without borrowing money.

The Oborevwori administration also Paid over ₦300 billion in inherited debts, freeing resources for fresh investment, increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 90%, from ₦83 billion in 2023 to ₦158 billion in 2024, and recently defrayed N8.4billion owed DESOPADEC contractors by previous administrations.

In security management, governor Oborevwori launched State Security Trust Fund to enhance security agencies’ capabilities, provided 66 new security vehicles and enhanced street-lighting in major cities across the state, strengthening law enforcement, modernized judiciary with new High Court complexes and digitalized case management, and also introduced digital budget tracking and streamlined civil service.

The governor is leading a team of committed and dedicated super Bureaucrats and top class professionals to remodel and grow Delta State economy, and he’s doing just that with uncommon tenacity, unwavering commitment and focus.

His goal is to ensure that Delta progresses from the fourth to the largest economy in Nigeria, before May 29, 2031. All hands are on deck, and it’s achievable by the grace of God.

As Governor Oborevwori continues to lead Delta State towards prosperity, his enviable achievements serve as a testament to his dedication to public service and transformative leadership. He’s championing a new era of transformative leadership and renewed hope for all Deltans.

The Writer: Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq, is the Director General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Governor’s Office Asaba, Delta State.