OBOREVWORI: Marvelous 2024, More in 2025 (FEATURES)
By Norbert Chiazor
I met Governor Sheriff Oborevwori ten days before the end of 2024. A glance at him revealed something: he has not changed. Lively, energetic, and zestful, he remains a frank governor who never hides his feelings, whether sweet or sour.
In the office, it brings joy to see that Oborevwori is waxing strong. For a man inundated daily with thousands of issues, both tedious and trivial, his staying power is stoic. Simple yet strong, he has good reason to stand and smile.
In a world of fear and anxieties, there is no storm in Delta. Sheriff is managing the people and their problems with unpretentious passion. Deltans, like most Nigerians, are facing endemic economic difficulties that have existed over the years, but the governor is offering hope above despair.
Asaba, Delta’s capital, remains a safe haven for those desperately seeking peaceful homes, including both Deltans and strangers. That the city is growing in population, with people trooping in from all parts of the country and rising in enterprise, speaks to the progressive mindset of a leader who understands the value of creating social harmony and conviviality.
I was in Warri days ago. The oil city, along with her twin sister Effurun, is experiencing an impressive makeover thanks to Oborevwori’s touch. When the magnificent mega bridges with paved roads are completed soon, both areas and satellite settlements will experience a socio-economic boost.
The massive Julius Berger work in the Warri axis, unprecedented in grandeur, may not have drawn much attention, but history will someday advertise the nobility of Oborevwori in scaling up to befitting standards the status of one of Nigeria’s most neglected but iconic cities. Elsewhere, the Ode-Itsekiri bridge traversing several communities and the Beneku bridge in Delta North have received appreciable progress.
Worth documenting are the completion of the Delta Court complex headquarters in Asaba, the strategic Okpanam-Ibusa road, the first phase of the Emevor-Orogun road, and spirited efforts on the Ughelli-Oleh-Ogwashi Uku expressway. Across Delta’s towns and villages, spanning Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ibo, Isoko, and Ijaw communities, projects are visible—whether completed or developing.
The Oborevwori administration is addressing the essential needs of Delta State University and its campuses at Anwai-Asaba, Agbor, and Ozoro to make them competitive citadels of learning. Taking governance to the grassroots, each of the 25 local government areas in Delta has a development lifeline of ₦2 billion in the current state appropriation.
Beyond infrastructure, Oborevwori’s focus extends to the social welfare of the people he leads. Figures don’t lie: a record number of over 250,000 persons have been empowered through the state’s D-Cares programme. Various government agencies have recently rolled out grants and occupational tools to aid youths in establishing businesses and earning responsible wealth.
Delta’s civil servants are among the most rewarded in the 36 states of the federation. They receive their monthly salaries regularly, with the new minimum wage implemented. Political appointees also receive their entitlements. The governor is not indebted.
Deltans can see and feel the impact of governance because a sincere leader is in charge. With global and national realities, Delta is not Eldorado—no place is all milk and honey except in fairy tales. But the good and fair judgment is that Oborevwori is working, winning grounds and hearts. With all modesty, this is marvelous in many eyes as the people expect MORE in 2025.
The future fervently points to a prosperous new year.
CHIAZOR is a two-time Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, and Executive Assistant (Media) to the Delta Governor.
