GOV UDUAGHAN CHARGES NIGERIANS TO LOOK BEYOND PAST MISTAKES TO MAXIMISE OPPORTUNITIES

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged Nigerians to look beyond the mistakes of the past if the country is to maximize its enormous opportunity as the greatest black nation in the world.

Governor Uduaghan who was speaking at the parade ground in Asaba yesterday to mark Nigeria’s 48th Independence anniversary, noted that: “48 years after our independence the country is in between the starting line and the finishing line.

As every successful marathoner knows, it is futile and defeatist to look back at mistakes while the race lasts; because you cannot win by looking back. Nobody wins pre-occupied by past errors. And we should not. We should, instead, see our past difficulties as teething and fleeting problems, which have provided useful lessons for nation building. It is these lessons that have strengthened the nation’s resolve to work harder to protect the current democratic dispensation.”

Saying that for the first time the country has enjoyed nine years of uninterrupted democratic governance under constitutionally elected Presidents, Governors and Legislatures at all tiers of government, Governor Uduaghan said, “Every Deltan and indeed Nigerians should be proud of this feat. We should draw on the lessons of these nine years to perfect and strengthen the institutions of democracy.”

Dr. Uduaghan who said Delta State has produced great men and women, from the struggle to secure independence from the British right down to the younger generation of stalwarts who are architects of a modern Nigeria, described the state as being a blessing to Nigeria in terms of oil and gas production, agriculture and manufacturing. “In building up Nigeria, the enormous contribution of Delta State in human and material terms is not in doubt,” he said.

Continuing, Governor Uduaghan said Delta State is on the right course to greatness. “We have anchored the programmes of this administration on the three point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital and Infrastructural Development. We have shown character in the pursuit of our programmes. We have made tremendous progress in our Peace and Security strategy.

“The stabilization of the security situation in the creeks, and return of businesses that previously left are testimonies to the success of this initiative. Our policy of equity and balance has helped in no small way in building ethnic concord in our state. It is an achievement that belongs to everyone, not just to this administration, because, without your co-operation and support it would not have been possible to have a peaceful and secure Delta State,” Governor Uduaghan said.

The Governor said the state has as part of its strategic plan constituted a Vision 2020 Council and Committee to tap into the federal government’s own plans. According to him, “The idea is that Delta State should take advantage of its location to become a logistics hub servicing businesses in the state and other parts of the country,” adding that when the details of the vision is submitted, its implementation which would begin immediately.