Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to citizen-centered governance, stressing that the vision of a prosperous Delta State can only be achieved through collective responsibility between government and the people.
The governor made this known on Tuesday in Asaba during the flag-off of the Oshimili South Local Government Area EKO Empowerment Programme, a ₦100 million initiative designed to support small-scale businesses and youth livelihoods across the council area. He was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D.
Governor Oborevwori emphasized that sustainable development thrives in an atmosphere of peace, cooperation, and shared ownership of public assets.
“We are building a Delta State where government works for the people, but we also need citizens to work with government by maintaining peace and protecting public infrastructure,” he said.
He commended the Executive Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Hon. (High Chief) Ezeyinli Kelvin Obi, Ph.D., for aligning local initiatives with the state government’s MORE Agenda—an acronym for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.
According to the Governor, the empowerment programme represents a practical extension of the MORE Agenda and a direct intervention aimed at accelerating grassroots development.
“As we approach the end of the year, there is no better way to celebrate the season than by empowering our people with tools to build sustainable livelihoods.
Empowerment is not merely about the funds or items distributed; it is about economic resilience, poverty reduction, and human capital development,” he said.
He advised beneficiaries to treat the support received as seed capital, noting that discipline and prudent management of small beginnings often determine long-term success, especially in challenging economic times.
Earlier in his address, the council chairman described the EKO Empowerment Programme as a strategic response to unemployment, poverty, and limited access to capital among small-scale entrepreneurs and trained youths.
He explained that the scheme targets beneficiaries who require modest capital, ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000, to expand existing businesses, purchase equipment, or restock shops, particularly during the festive period.
“No society can achieve sustainable growth if its most productive population remains unemployed or under-supported,” Obi stated, adding that the programme was inclusive, non-partisan, and spread across all 11 wards of the local government area.
He disclosed that beneficiaries were selected through a transparent process involving ward leaders, community representatives, and a council-appointed verification committee.
The initiative, he said, cuts across ethnic and social lines, benefiting residents of diverse backgrounds, including Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo communities.
The council chairman also presented an account of his administration’s stewardship, highlighting several completed and ongoing projects.
These include the commissioning of the Oko Event Centre; completion of open stalls at the Cable Point Modern Foodstuff Market; commissioning of the Oshimili South Local Government Plaza at the former Ogbeogonogo Market site; and the near completion of a new administrative secretariat complex.
Other achievements listed were the procurement of security vehicles and motorcycles; the introduction of an NCC-approved security short code (7745); provision of power infrastructure, including a 150 KVA generator for the council secretariat and a 500 KVA transformer serving Okelue and Usona streets; and the acquisition of land for a public-private partnership cemetery project.
In the areas of youth development and social welfare, Obi cited digital skills training for 23 youths with the provision of Apple laptops, distribution of first aid kits to primary schools, public health interventions targeting measles-rubella and tuberculosis, and the disbursement of ₦263 million in financial grants to vulnerable groups.
He also noted the annual distribution of Christmas palliatives across the 11 wards.
The event, attended by party leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders, and members of the press, concluded with goodwill messages and seasonal greetings, as the Oshimili South Local Government reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive growth, economic empowerment, and people-oriented governance.
