The Governor gave the assurance Monday, October 8, 2007, when former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince bola Ajibola led members of the Yoruba community in Delta State to pay him a courtesy call at Government house Asaba.

While appreciating the supportive role of the Yoruba community in his election as governor of the state, Dr. Uduaghan said, “You are part of Delta State, whatever is your entitlement, you will get it.”

According to the governor, “Every Yoruba regards Delta as his own state. We were all part of the old Western Region and we still have that link.”

Dr. Uduaghan noted the peaceful disposition of the Yoruba in the state which he said was a key point in the state’s government agenda. “I can testify to their peacefulness and their contributions to the development of the state,” he said.

In this respect, he said that Yoruba Muslims and Christians have maintained religious tolerance which he said has made the state an example and a place where others run to during religious crises elsewhere

In particular, Governor Uduaghan thanked Prince Bola Ajibola, whom he said played a significant role in his becoming the governor of the state.

Describing Ajibola as a loyal father who brought his children to Government House, Governor Uduaghan said: “I am a beneficiary of his loyalty to the younger ones. I moved far and wide when I was consulting to become governor. One of those I consulted was Uncle Ajibola. He asked probing questions and was satisfied with my answers and gave me his blessings.”

Speaking on behalf of the Yoruba community, Prince Ajibola pledge the allegiance and solidarity of the Yorubas to the state government, adding that his people are happy and enjoy staying in the state.

According to the former judge of the World Court at The Hague, the Yorubas want to be part and parcel of the state. “I pledge the allegiance and solidarity on behalf of my people to actively partner with all that will bring peace and progress in the state,” Ajibola said.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of a plaque to Prince Ajibola by the governor and the presentation of a dove to Governor Uduaghan by Prince Ajibola on behalf of the Yoruba community in Delta State.

UDUAGHAN PLAN QUARTERS, REGULAR MEDICAL CHECK UPS FOR JUDGES
Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has said the state plans to build quarters for judges across the judicial divisions in the state, and also provide regular medical check up for judges.

Dr. Uduaghan that his administration would seek expert opinion on Section 121 (3) of the 1999 Constitution provides that, "Any amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue of the State shall be paid directly to the Head of the Courts concerned”, assuring that where the interpretation is to the effect that the judicial arm be allowed to operate their budget, he would not do otherwise.

The Governor who was speaking when the State Chief Judge, Justice Roseline Bozimo led other judges in the state on a courtesy visit to the governor on Thursday, said the independence of the judiciary and fearlessness of judges have been sustain Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Judge of the Delta State Judiciary, Justice Rosaline Bozimo made a strong case for the financial autonomy of the judiciary in the state as provided for in the 1999 Constitution and also canvassed better working conditions for members of the state's judiciary.

The chief judge had observed that Section 121 (3) of the 1999 Constitution provides that, "Any amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue of the State shall be paid directly to the Head of the Courts concerned.

"To all intents and purposes, the Constitution has given the Judiciary power to implement its budget in respect of the appropriation provided therein for the Judiciary and consequently the powers of the State Executive under Section 5(2) of the Constitution to execute the State Appropriation Law are to that extent qualified.

"It may be argued that to do so is an incursion into the State Executive powers. However, the Constitution, the supreme law of the land have so stipulated and the arrangement has to be complied with," she said.

Bozimo also pleaded for the building of befitting court halls, accommodation and lodges for judges in the state as well as annual oversees medical allowance.

Delta state Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has said that President Yar’Adua was in order for inaugurating the national electoral reform committee ahead of the conclusion of petitions in the tribunal.

He said in a chat with newsmen that the President would have to show initiative notwithstanding the outcome of the petitions.

Dr Uduaghan also dismissed claims that Delta state is broke, his administration on assumption of office met a debt profile of 11 Billion Naira, but that the government has paid about nine billion Naira.

According to Governor Uduaghan, the decision by Yar’Adua to set up a high powered commission cannot be faulted.
“I believe the President is committed to electoral reforms. He is very eager to bring quality reforms into our electoral system. Also, on its membership, they are all men of proven integrity and unquestionable characters. They are people who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers,” Dr. Uduaghan said.

He said: “Some people have criticized the committee, saying it ought to have been constituted after all the cases before the electoral tribunals are disposed of. But again, government must work, whatever the outcome of the Tribunal, somebody will continue from where it has stopped.”

On the debt profile of the government, the Governor said: “When you are talking about debts you talking about people who have executed the contracts they received from the state government and have been issued certificates.

“The truth is that, that was happened towards the end of the former administration, and that is what happened to many administrations, people rushed their jobs because they don’t know what would happen next. They rushed in anticipation that they will be paid before the end of the tenure of the previous administration.

“So certificates accumulate when we took over in May, 29. The certificates in terms of debts were about 11 billion naira. Between now and then, we have off-set close to nine billion naira. But you see, the way Government runs, there is no way you can pay all contractors the same day. As you are paying, some others are completing their jobs and certificates are issued,” the Governor clarified.

Making a presentation in New York at the Global Summit on "Nigeria Meets the World", Governor Uduaghan said his administration is committed to building a greater Delta State that looks beyond the rich oil and Gas concentration in the State, stressing that the result of the three-point agenda of his government will be the emergence of a vibrant Delta state with a vibrant and strong economy that would compete favourably with developed economies of the world.

He said: "We have started working in Delta State to enable us compete with other vibrant economies of world."

In his presentation at the Global Summit on "Nigeria Meets the World" held at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria hotel, venue of the event, Uduaghan called on the international community, especially potential and real investors to invest in Delta State because " we have created a peaceful and stable environment, thereby ensuring that we currently have in place an enabling environment for businesses and industries to thrive."

He added: " We are addressing three critical issues which form the focal points of my administration. These are Peace and Security, Human Capital Development and Infrastructural Development. On Peace and Security, we set up a committee of stakeholders to look into security at the waterways. And we are engaging citizens resident in the creeks in continuous
dialogue to ensure safety."

On Human Capital development, he maintained that “as a state we are committed to building capacity of the workforce while redressing issues of unemployment and setting up small businesses and micro-credit schemes for Deltans."

He Added: " In the area of infrastructure, we are committed to the completion of on-going projects, develop rural and Oil communities through DESOPADEC and implement state-wide development programme under what we call the Delta State Integrated Development Programme(DSIDP).