New Delta Secretariat, a Legacy of Okowa’s Inspirational Leadership, Says Osinbajo
- A major project already hugging the skylines of Asaba, the Delta state capital was commissioned on Monday, November 29
- The project has been described as one of the legacies of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa by VP Yemi Osinbajo
- More importantly, the facility is named after a respected traditional ruler in the state, Obi Professor Chike Edozien
Asaba - Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, November 29 said the new state-of-the-art central secretariat complex built by the Okowa administration in Asaba was one of the governor’s legacies of inspirational and visionary leadership in Delta state.
Osinbajo said this in Asaba while inaugurating the secretariat complex named after the Asagba of Asaba and Nigeria’s oldest professor, Obi Chike Edozien.
Source: Facebook
He said that the civil service building of any country or state was one of the major monuments, not just in the seat of power but also the splendour and the authority of the government.
He commended Governor Okowa for providing Deltans with such a historical building and monument and said that the secretariat would provide the state’s workforce with a functional building and environment that would bring out the best in them.
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Osinbajo said that the Asagba of Asaba deserved the honour for having led the community in the last 30 years on the throne of his forefathers.
His words:
“Thank you, Your Excellency, Governor Okowa for doing me the honour of sharing this historic occasion with you, the government, and the people of Delta state.
“This is historic indeed because the seat of the civil service of any government, anywhere in the world, is usually one of the major monuments, enshrining not just the power but also the splendour of the authority of government.
“This imposing complex clearly meets these requirements. In due course, such buildings become historical monuments.
“The civil service and the people of Delta are today being presented with a state-of-the-art, functional, and befitting secretariat complex after so many years. This in itself is worthy of great celebration.’’
He also stated that:
“Professor Edozien is unarguably Nigeria's oldest living professor in any discipline and an internationally-renowned professor of medicine. But more importantly, he is an outstanding bridge-builder and patriot, as your Excellency confirmed.
“His Majesty has played and continues to play an important role as a symbol of unity in this state, and during his 30 years reign, the town of Asaba has changed dramatically.
“His traditional leadership has ensured that the growth and increasing diversity of Asaba has proceeded without tension and antagonism amongst the people who live in the city.
“Your Excellency, I believe that in naming this building after His Royal Majesty, you are not just celebrating a highly respected and deserving son of Delta, but also signaling the sort of excellence in public service that we wish to see incubated within this building.
“More importantly, you are also saying to a generation that is not even old enough to be employed in the civil service today that integrity, diligence, and service to community and country still pay.”
Osinbajo commended Okowa for his dexterity in recognising the role of the civil service in building the edifice in spite of dwindling revenue receipts.
He remarked that the governor deserved commendation for giving the public servants in the state such magnificent edifice as secretariat.
In his address earlier, Governor Okowa commended the vice president for coming to celebrate the landmark event with Deltans and said that Osinbajo had aptly demonstrated that he was a true statesman and uncommon leader by always responding whenever the state called on him.
He said:
“The government and good people of Delta state appreciate you today and always; we value your friendship, partnership, and genuine interest in the progress of our state.
“I stand here today feeling very proud of this legacy project. Indeed, I am filled with a great sense of joy, satisfaction, fulfilment, and triumph. It was an arduous journey from the time construction commenced on November 27, 2017, to this momentous occasion.
“As you would expect, constructing an edifice like this would task the ingenuity, resources, and patience of any government in the times we live in.”
Vice President Osinbajo Is a Wise Man, Says Asagba of Asaba
In a related development, Vice President Osinbajo has been described as a wise man and a great deputy to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Asagba, Professor Edozien.
The Asagba made the comment on Monday, November 29 when the vice president paid him a courtesy call in Asaba.
Osinbajo had visited the monarch to pay homage to him during his trip to Asaba.
Osinbajo Also Inaugurates 8.5 Megawatts Independent Power Project in Asaba
Legit.ng had earlier reported that VP Osinbajo would inaugurate the newly completed multi-billion naira Delta secretariat complex and the 8.5 megawatts Independent Power Project (IPP) in Asaba.
Governor Okowa disclosed this on Sunday, November 28 while speaking to journalists shortly after inspecting the facility in preparations for the inauguration.
The secretariat complex which sits on 45,000 square meters was designed to accommodate all the ministries and their staff.
Source: Legit.ng
