AWARD: Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State (left) presenting the2014 Silverbird Man of the Year Award to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (left) his wife Deaconess Roli Uduaghan (middle) during the 2014 Silverbird Man of the Year award held in Lagos, Sunday. Photo: Henry Unini
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has cautioned against any attempt to undermine the South-South and South East regions of the country by the in-coming Government of the Federation.
Speaking Sunday night at Lagos where he emerged Silverbird Man of the year Award, the Governor said that it would be dangerous and disastrous for the regions to be ignored just because they did not vote for the in-coming government.
“I must counsel here that the South- South and the South-East regions must not be ignored or undermined by the in-coming Federal Government on account of their voting patterns in the general elections”, he stated.
According to him, it would be precarious for such strategic regions or any region for that matter to be undermined solely because of their political leanings, and harped on the for every part of the country to be treated fairly and equitably.
Besides, the Governor assured that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was prepared to form a formidable opposition party in the country adding that the party would bounce back sooner than expected.
Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan dedicated the Silverbird Man of the year Award bestowed on him by the organization, to his wife and all Deltans who stood and worked with his administration to build a peaceful state.
The Governor who bagged the Silverbird Man of the Year Award in recognition of his laudable achievements in the year 2014 said that the award was for all peaceful Deltans and for the prevailing inter-ethnic harmony in the state.
He expressed his appreciation for the honour done him saying: “I am very happy that Sliverbird Television has recognized the good work God is doing in Delta State through my administration, this achievement is a collective effort and l dedicate this award to my wife and all Deltans who made this dream of having a peaceful state a reality during our time and l pray that this peace will be sustained.”
Speaking further, Governor Uduaghan charged the in-coming administration in Delta State to uphold the people’s oriented programmes already put in place by his administration.
The Governor explained that he had to give up his senatorial ambition for peace to reign in the State, stressing that if he had pushed ahead with his ambition, inter-ethnic crisis would have returned to the state.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odien Ajumogobia, SAN noted that apart from key infrastructure, urban renewal and human capital development, Governor Uduaghan was leaving behind a peaceful and united Delta State.
Barrister Chike Ogeah, Information Commissioner and Hon. Funkekeme Solomon works Commissioner described the award as a crowning glory for the governor.
In a keynote address, former chairman of Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce said that the Nigerian State must shun the display of affluence in the mist of poverty promising to represent the poor Nigerians as a Senator of the Federal Republic.
Other Deltans who bagged award at the ceremony include Chief Phillip Asiodu and Mr. Gameliel Onosode.