…says his sincerity of purpose is crystal clear
…we have experienced a peaceful era so far
…the governor is an embodiment of humility
The Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III gave a press interview in his first major public assessment of the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State where he spoke extensively on positive developments in the Big Heart.
Excerpts:
HRM, what is your candid assessment of the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, as regards the development of Delta state ,Warri territory and environs in particular since his assumption of duty, in 2023?
The first thing that comes to mind is that it has been peaceful .Since His Excellency came in I don’t think we have had any security situation in this state and that in itself is
something that we cannot take for granted because if there is no peace for all his good intentions
you know you don’t have a solid foundation to begin to do anything.
So obviously God has helped him very much and we the people on ground we are very much cooperating with with him and all his plans but what I would like to say is that we have been through a lot.When we look specifically to where we are, Warri kingdom where the Itsekiris are, there are examples that we can see of the governor’s good efforts over this last couple of years.
First one is there is a major drainage work going on especially in the Odion area. Obviously that’s going to help when we get into the rainy seasons to checkmate heavy flooding that goes on there. This development initiative is also tied to the overhaul of the Warri Township Stadium which we know will be a world-class infrastructure masterpiece.
Even with my engagement with the government I have seen the plans and I know the work cannot commence until the drainage is sorted, so that we are not putting the cat before the horse. The foundational work just shows you that this man is really out for something that’s going to be long-lasting.
There is the trans Warri Ode Itsekiri road which is something that he inherited but we are very delighted to see that he’s seen it through to the end because that’s a major infrastructure project that is going to open up the riverine area.
Obviously, you know Warri is tight. Expansion is on. As far as government bureaucracy goes, he tends to give things a little bit of a push.
And I think finally, even though this goes beyond Warri, it’s just very obvious. When you fly anywhere in the world, the airport and the road that leads out to the airport, it always gives an important impression. And clearly His Excellency is determined to give people who fly into Warri through Osubi a great Warri.
Everyone can see the bridges, the road work on going connecting Osubi all the way to the Effurun roundabout, I think that will go a long way in not only giving people the right impression of Warri and Delta state. When you fly in it is a great way to be welcomed and I am sure it would have multiplier effects on the entire area.
You know we can go on listing the achievements but these are just a few off the top of my head that we must commend his Excellency’s efforts so far.
We are looking forward to the completion of them which I’m sure will all be done even before campaigns, rolling within the year and we’re talking about elections . So yes, those are my initial responses to my assessment of his excellency that we can all see tangible examples so far.
As a revered royal you must have interacted closely with the Delta governor. What is your perception of his character and the leadership style?
It always strikes me, Governor Oborevwori is a very humble man. Not too many people are sent into office and are able to maintain the character and the persona that they were before. And two years on the hot seat, his temperament remains the same. His demeanor is the same.He is very considerate.
From my interaction with him, he takes time, he listens. And as far as government bureaucracy goes, he tends to give things a little bit of a push. Obviously he understands government quite well, obviously being the speaker for several years before now becoming the governor, he would know very well how to navigate the levers and the strings to pull.
And I think all that matched with his humility and his level-headedness. It appears to be working very well for him and how he’s going about governing what is a complicated state that is Delta. So that’s my close assessment of his Excellency.
Obviously he understands governors quite well, obviously being the speaker for several years before becoming the governor, he would know very well how to navigate the levers and the strings to pull.
Your Royal Majesty, what is your candid advice to the Governor, particularly as he moves on governing Delta with it’s complex ethnicity. And finally what is your dream for Warri in the years ahead?
Well, advice for His Excellency the Governor. It’s simple. It’s more of the same. Remain humble, as he is. Do more listening. Remain focused and discern from what is a distraction, as opposed to what should be focused on. Because there, when you are in a position like he is, there will be many distractions. A lot of things will come and it will be presented as though, oh, this is very urgent, this is very urgent, you know.
But there are things that are not as urgent as they are presented. If you are able to be focused, you know, your heart is in the right place, your plans are right, God will bring full alignment. So where he’s able to just avoid distraction and focus. I think the good that he intends for the state, will come. It will come without paying any mind to all the numerous distractions. So that’s just my simple advice. And he’s already on the way there.
So for him to continue, you know, stay humble and attentive, and also firm and determined to carry out what he already has planned for the state.
And I believe finally to your last question as to how I see Warri ahead …My dreams for Warri.I envisage that Warri will emerge into a global African metropolis where we’re not even overly focused on the natural resources that God has recognized.
Everybody knows Warri and its environs are very well blessed with Oil and Gas and you know we have not yet tapped into our blue economy, marine potentials our culture potentials.
We have not even tapped into our tourism potentials, our eco tourism Even trading, commerce and all that There is so much that we have not even started to harness.So much more that can be realized from what God has given us.We all just have to be brave and decide to step away from conventional thinking. I think if we’re able to stand united above that unconventional thinking and approach, we will see the potential reality that is Warri.
Very well.
