By Ameachi Prosper
Asaba: Special Assistant (SA) to the governor on Civil Engagement and Civil Society, Comrade Rex Emojite Ekiugbo Anighoro has commended the state governor, Senator Igeanyi Okowa for the recognition he has accorded the civil societies in the state, saying; “in the 25 years of Delta State, civil society has not been given its due place until Governor Ifeanyi Okowa came into power”.
He stated this during the just concluded Delta State Civil Society Summit which has as its theme: “Advancing Good Governance, Human Rights and Democracy; Civil Society as Developmental Partners”, held at Asaba, the state capital.
While noting that Okowa’s administration had made it easier for government to have an interface with citizens, he stressed, “Till now civil societies were castrated, made moribund and were only remembered during elections”.
According to Anighoro, many of the civil societies were mere tools in the hands of politicians and they fizzle out after elections.
He pointed that civil societies are the conscience and live wire of any society, meeting point between government, governance and the governed, insisting that civil societies help to drive the pursuit of good governance and democracy.
On his part, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa assured that his government was ready to partner with Civil Societies in the state for the advancement of democracy and to be able to reach out to the yearning of Deltans, especially those leaving at the rural communities.
Okowa who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Tam Brisibe, said Civil Society Organizations are veritable tools of achieving good governance, even as he called on Civil Societies in the state to give their maximum support to the government in order for it to achieve its SMART Agenda.
A paper titled, “Nigerian Youth: A Silent Majority”, presented by Barr. Olisa Agbokoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), regretting that despite huge resources available at the government disposal, it has not been able to address the needs and aspirations of the teaming youths.
To this end, the quest lecturer admonished the Nigerian youths to rise up to the challenges, by using their talents in a manner that will guarantee them of a good feature, saying that the their future depends on what they do with their God given talent at present.
Those present at the event include: Hon Barr Eugene Azuka Uzum, the Executive Assistant to governor Okowa on the Directorate of Orientation, Chief Festus Ochonogor, Senior Special Adviser to governor okowa on Political Matters, Olorogun Barr Arthur Akpowowo, Special Adviser to governor Okowa on Water Ways Security, Comrade Hope George, Senior Special Assistant to governor Okowa on Youth Development, Olisa Agbakoba SAN, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ably represented by Okezi Odugala (Coordinator of Forum of Delta State NGOs), Olorogun Saliba Mukoro one time gubernatorial candidate.
Others are Mrs Annkio Briggs, founder, Agape Rebirth Organization, Dr Akpor Mudiaga-Odje, a quintessential and consummate law and human rights activists, Hon Barr Reuben Izeze ,Hon member representing Ughelli South local government area in the Delta State House of Assembly cum majority whip ably represented by Barr Mesere Okiemute Samuel.
The high points of the summit was the presentation of awards to notable personalities.
