By Fidelis Edugbo
The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, will be the Special Guest of Honour at this year’s edition of the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture.
Senator Okowa, during whose tenure as Governor of Delta State the annual lecture series commenced in 2019, has confirmed his attendance.
This was disclosed by Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, Secretary of the Maris Trust Council, the organizers of the lecture series.
Speaking to journalists at The Pointer Newspapers in Asaba on Saturday, Egugbo, who is also the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, noted that as a former Chief Security Officer of the state, the former Governor will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the topic: “Insecurity: Bane of Nigeria’s Unity and Progress.”
Egugbo stated, “we know that our former Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, is not just a run-of-the-mill politician, he is a tested leader whose wealth of experience is matched by few in the country, given his track record.
”I can confirm authoritatively that although this period is busy with political activities, he will create time to attend this lecture, which many have described as a security summit.
”Gen. Lucky Irabor, CFR, former Chief of Defence Staff, is the Keynote Speaker.
“The event will also feature former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dele Ezeoba, as Chairman of the Occasion; Rear Admiral Mike Onah, OON, as Father of the Day; and Prince Minnie Igbrude as Mother of the Day.
”Discussants who have already confirmed their physical presence include former DSS Director and security expert, Sir Mike Ejiofor; Prof. Hope Eghagha of the University of Lagos; Lady Rosemary Ogabu, a retired Controller of Corrections; the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council, Hon. Warri Ovoke; and Rev. Fr. John Konyeke of the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA).
”Since the inception of the series eight years ago, participants have consistently called for the return of Prof. Kemi Emina, the OdiEga of Ebu Kingdom, as Moderator and by the grace of God, he has confirmed he will be at the lecture this year.
”A host of security experts have also called to confirm they will join civilians to actively discuss security issues, because security is everyone’s business.
”The lecture will hold on its traditional date, the Wednesday of Holy Week. For this year’s edition, that is Wednesday, April 1, at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, at 12:00 Noon.
”No invitation card or registration fee is required to attend the Maris Annual Public Service Lecture; we simply ask guests to be decent and come prepared to learn or contribute meaningfully to the growth of society.”
SOME OF THE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNIW ABOUT SENATOR DR. ARTHUR IFEANYI OKOWA, CON
Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa was born at Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State. He attended Edo College, Benin City (1970–1976), then went on to the University of Ibadan where he studied Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 1981 with an MBBS degree. After leaving the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, he worked with the Bendel State Hospitals Management Board as a Medical Officer. He entered private practice as Director, Victory Medical Centre, Igbanke in 1986.
Political Career:
Sen. Dr. Okowa, became Secretary to the Ika Local Government and then Chairman of the Ika North-East Local Government Council (1991–1993). He was Delta North Coordinator of the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM). He joined the PDP in 1998, and assisted in Governor James Ibori’s campaign in 1998/1999. He served as a Commissioner in the Delta State government for Agriculture and Natural Resources (July 1999 – April 2001), Water Resources Development (April 2001 – May 2003) and Health (September 2003 – October 2006).
He resigned to contest in the 2007 Delta State PDP governorship primaries, but did not win the governorship primaries. In June 2007, Ifeanyi was appointed Secretary to the Delta State Government.
Sen. Dr. Okowa, was elected Delta North Senatorial candidate in the January 2011 PDP primaries with 942 votes, but the result was challenged by party leaders who favoured Marian Amaka Alli as candidate. He was re-elected in a rerun where he scored 1,446 votes, against 108 votes for Dr. Marian Alli.
In the April 2011 election for the Delta North Senatorial seat, Ifeanyi won 98,140 votes, ahead of runner up, Prince Ned Munir Nwoko of the Democratic People’s Party, who won 67,985 votes.
He finally clinched the ticket for the gubernatorial election in 2015 under the PDP with 406 votes on 8 December 2014. He won the Delta State Gubernatorial elections 2015 in April 2015 with 724,680 votes.
Dr Okowa was inaugurated as Governor on 29 May, 2015 and have since then resumed active duties. In the March 9, 2019 Governorship election, Okowa, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, got 925,274 votes to defeat his opponent, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Great Ogboru, who garnered, 215,938 votes.
His administration introduced the Delta State Contributory Healthcare Scheme, constructed over 883 road projects, spanning more than 1,932km, created over 223,000 direct jobs, 12,000 entrepreneurs, and a lot of indirect jobs in the state, established University of Delta, Agbor, University of Science and Technology, Ozoro and Dennis Osadebe University, Asaba, all in Delta State, made Delta State more peaceful and tourism destination, among others.
Award and Honours:
He was honoured as Man of the year 2017 by the Independent Newspaper at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The award was presented by Alhaji Ismalis Isa Funtu.
In 2017, he achieved the highest award of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan-Nigeria as the Alumni of the year 2016, where he successfully delivered a lecture titled “Good Governance for Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development: Experience and Lessons” at the 2017 edition of University of Ibadan Alumni lecture organised by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA).
In October 2022, a Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He meritoriously left office after two-term tenure as the Governor of Delta State on May 29, 2023.
Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is happily married and blessed with children.
