A Distinguished Record of Service as Commissioner for Health, Secretary to the Delta State Government, Senator Representing Delta North and Governor of Delta State
By Sir Churchill E. Ajusah
In the history of public administration and political leadership in Delta State, the name of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, occupies a significant place. His political journey, spanning local government administration, the Delta State Executive Council, the National Assembly and eight years as Governor of Delta State; represents a career shaped by public service, administrative experience, legislative engagement and development-oriented governance.
A medical doctor by profession, Senator Okowa brought to public office a combination of professional knowledge, administrative competence and political experience. His contributions to the development of Delta State are best appreciated by examining the various responsibilities he has undertaken and the institutional and developmental legacies associated with his tenure in each office.
FROM MEDICAL PRACTICE TO PUBLIC SERVICE: COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH
Senator Okowa’s experience in healthcare administration provided an important foundation for his subsequent contributions to the health sector, both at the state and national levels.
As Commissioner for Health in Delta State from 2003 to 2006, under the administration of former Governor James Ibori, he brought his medical background to bear on the formulation and implementation of healthcare policies.
One of the significant institutional developments associated with this period was the advancement of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, as a major centre for medical education, specialist healthcare and clinical services.
His experience in the ministry exposed him to the challenges of healthcare delivery, including inadequate facilities, access to medical services, healthcare financing and the need to strengthen primary and secondary healthcare institutions.
These experiences would subsequently inform his legislative interventions and healthcare policies as a senator and governor.
SECRETARY TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT: STRATEGIC ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY COORDINATION
Between 2007 and 2010, Senator Okowa served as Secretary to the Delta State Government under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
The Office of the Secretary to the State Government is one of the most strategic positions in the state executive structure. It serves as a central coordinating institution for government policies, executive decisions, inter-ministerial relationships and the implementation of programmes approved by the State Executive Council.
In this capacity, Okowa provided administrative and policy support to the government, facilitated coordination among ministries, departments and agencies, and participated in the processes through which government policies and decisions were translated into programmes and actions.
His tenure as SSG further broadened his understanding of public administration, government operations, institutional relationships and the complexities of managing a multi-ethnic and geographically diverse state.
It was an experience that strengthened his credentials for legislative leadership and, ultimately, executive governance.
SENATOR REPRESENTING DELTA NORTH: A NATIONAL VOICE WITH A HEALTHCARE LEGACY
In 2011, Senator Okowa was elected to represent Delta North Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. During his tenure in the Seventh National Assembly (2011–2015), he distinguished himself particularly through his leadership of the Senate Committee on Health.
One of his most significant contributions was his involvement in the legislative process that produced the National Health Act 2014.
The National Health Act represents an important milestone in Nigeria’s healthcare development. It provides a legal and institutional framework for healthcare delivery, regulation, financing and the responsibilities of different levels of government in the health sector.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Okowa played a prominent role in facilitating the legislative process, including public hearings, stakeholder consultations and the eventual passage of the bill by the Senate in February 2014. His contribution to this process was subsequently acknowledged by healthcare stakeholders, including the Nigeria Medical Association.
His legislative engagement also reflected his interest in healthcare financing, health insurance, access to affordable medical services and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Beyond healthcare, his Senate years provided an opportunity to articulate the interests and aspirations of Delta North within the national legislature. His experience as a legislator further enriched his understanding of national policymaking, constitutional responsibilities and the relationship between federal and state governments.
EIGHT YEARS OF GOVERNANCE: THE S.M.A.R.T. AGENDA AND THE STRONGER DELTA VISION
The defining chapter of Senator Okow
a’s political career was his election as Governor of Delta State in 2015 and his re-election in 2019. He served two consecutive terms, leaving office on May 29, 2023.
His administration adopted the S.M.A.R.T. Agenda, built around strategic priorities of job and wealth creation, infrastructure development, peace and security, agricultural development and sustainable economic growth. These priorities were subsequently reinforced under the broader Stronger Delta development philosophy.
Across eight years, the administration pursued interventions in education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment, agriculture, sports and institutional development.
The following achievements represent some of the most prominent features of that administration.
- EDUCATION: EXPANDING ACCESS TO TERTIARY AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
One of the most enduring aspects of the Okowa administration was the expansion of Delta State’s tertiary education landscape.
The establishment of three additional state-owned universities in 2021 was a major milestone. They were:
University of Delta, Agbor.
Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro.
Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba.
The creation of these institutions significantly expanded the state’s capacity for tertiary education and provided additional opportunities for young people seeking university admission.
The administration also invested in technical and vocational education through the establishment and development of nine model technical colleges across the state. These institutions were intended to promote practical skills, technical competence and vocational training as alternatives and complements to conventional academic education.
Other interventions included the establishment of the Teachers Professional Development Centre, construction and rehabilitation of school infrastructure, and improvements in learning facilities across public educational institutions.
These investments reflected an understanding that education is not merely a social service but a fundamental instrument for human capital development and economic advancement.
- HEALTHCARE: A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE
Healthcare was another major pillar of the administration, unsurprisingly given Okowa’s professional background as a medical doctor.
Perhaps the most significant policy intervention was the establishment of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.
The enabling law was signed on February 4, 2016, while implementation of the scheme commenced on January 1, 2017. The initiative was designed to improve access to affordable healthcare and reduce the financial burden of medical treatment on residents.
The scheme incorporated different categories of beneficiaries, including formal-sector workers, informal-sector participants and vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children under five and elderly persons.
By May 2019, the scheme had reportedly enrolled more than 530,000 beneficiaries, demonstrating the scale of its early implementation.
Other healthcare interventions included the construction, rehabilitation and equipping of hospitals and primary healthcare facilities.
Notable projects included the Mother and Child Hospitals in Owa-Alero and Warri, the Advanced Diagnostics and Medical Centre, and the completion and equipping of the General Hospital in Asaba.
The administration also pursued improvements in medical infrastructure, personnel development and healthcare services in rural and underserved communities.
The contributory health insurance initiative remains one of the most important institutional contributions of his administration to the state’s social development framework.
- INFRASTRUCTURE: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES AND OPENING UP RURAL AREAS
Infrastructure development was among the most visible features of the Okowa administration.
The government embarked on extensive road construction, rehabilitation, drainage and urban renewal projects across the three senatorial districts.
According to figures published in an assessment of the administration, more than 883 road projects, covering over 2,000 kilometres, were recorded during his tenure, alongside over 1,400 kilometres of drainage infrastructure in Asaba, Uvwie and Warri environs.
The projects were intended to improve mobility, connect communities, facilitate commercial activities and open up previously inaccessible areas.
Bridge construction and rehabilitation also featured prominently in the administration’s infrastructure programme. Among the notable projects was the Beneku Bridge in Ndokwa East, an important intervention for connectivity in the riverine area.
Other infrastructure initiatives included the upgrading of Asaba International Airport, development of urban roads, construction of drainage channels and improvements to public infrastructure in different parts of the state.
The completion and transformation of the Asaba Township Stadium into the Stephen Keshi Stadium was another significant achievement. The facility subsequently hosted the 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships and the 2022 National Sports Festival, placing Delta State on the national and international sporting map.
The construction of the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat Complex in Asaba also provided a modern administrative environment for ministries and government agencies.
Taken together, these projects reflected an infrastructure policy that sought to combine urban development with rural connectivity and economic expansion.
- JOB AND WEALTH CREATION: EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH SKILLS AND ENTERPRISE
Recognizing the challenge of unemployment and the limitations of relying exclusively on government employment, the Okowa administration pursued a number of entrepreneurship and skills-development programmes.
Among the most prominent were:
Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP): This initiative provided vocational training to unemployed youths and supported beneficiaries with tools and starter packs to establish small businesses.
Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP): This programme encouraged young people to venture into agriculture and agribusiness, including poultry, fish farming, crop production and other agricultural value chains.
Girls Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Programme (GEST): This initiative focused on empowering young women through vocational skills, entrepreneurship training and opportunities for economic independence.
These programmes were designed to move beneficiaries beyond dependence on government employment by equipping them with practical skills and opportunities to become self-employed and employers of labour.
The administration also promoted small and medium-scale enterprises, agricultural enterprise development and private-sector participation in the state’s economy.
The significance of these interventions lies in their emphasis on human capital development, enterprise creation and the promotion of productive economic activities.
- AGRICULTURE AND ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION
Agriculture featured prominently in the S.M.A.R.T. Agenda as an important instrument for economic diversification, food production and employment generation.
Through YAGEP and related agricultural initiatives, the government encouraged youth participation in farming and agribusiness.
The administration also promoted agricultural value chains and private-sector participation in agricultural production and processing.
These interventions were intended to position agriculture as a viable business opportunity, particularly for young people, while contributing to food security and rural economic development.
- SPORTS DEVELOPMENT: STRENGTHENING DELTA’S SPORTING REPUTATION
Delta State has historically maintained a strong presence in Nigerian sports, and the Okowa administration sustained significant investment in the sector.
The completion and development of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba provided a major sporting facility for the state.
Under his administration, Delta hosted the 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships and the 2022 National Sports Festival.
The government also sustained support for grassroots sports development, athlete preparation and participation in national sporting competitions.
These interventions reinforced Delta State’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting states and created opportunities for athletes, coaches and other sports professionals.
- INSTITUTIONAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Beyond physical infrastructure, the Okowa administration pursued institutional reforms and initiatives aimed at improving the state’s economic environment.
These included efforts to attract investment, promote private-sector participation, strengthen public administration and create opportunities for economic growth.
The establishment of the Delta State Investment Development Agency was part of the broader effort to improve the investment climate and facilitate private-sector engagement.
The administration also pursued housing and other development initiatives, alongside programmes aimed at improving living conditions in rural, riverine and coastal communities.
As Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa seeks election to represent Delta North in the next senate assembly, his extensive experience across healthcare administration, state administration, legislative service and executive governance provides an important basis for public consideration. His aspiration presents an opportunity for a renewed conversation about effective representation, legislative experience, institutional knowledge and the development priorities of the Anioma nation. His record of public service, the lessons of his years in government and his understanding of the challenges confronting Delta North make his senatorial ambition a significant development in the district’s political landscape.
