In politics, conventional wisdom holds that the success of political officeholders depends to a great extent on the results they deliver. This means that performance is a key indicator that can feel a leader with a genuine self-confidence. That’s why the authority of a leader comes from the public belief in his ability to govern, and his judgement to make the right decisions in critical areas that matter to the people. That’s the essence of ‘servant leadership’. You can glean that from the vision of the leader. But this much is the starting point: No one can lead who does not first acquire power, and no leader can be great who does not know how to use power for the greater good of the people.
That is why success and failure have a pattern. They can be predictable by the vision of the man who seeks political power. Very often, the combination of both qualities is rare. Rt. Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori is one serving Governor in the country who has mastered both – how to get power, and deploy it for the greater good of his people . For him, setting benchmarks is important, but more fundamental is effective implementation of politics and programmes that can impact lives and economic growth of the state. All of this revolves around his MORE Agenda. In practical terms, this translates to Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms and Enhanced peace and security.
Working for a higher purpose is the blank on which worthy legacy should be achieved. For Gov Oborevwori, this leads to few basic questions : ‘what should I do that my people will remember me for’? ‘How do I connect with Deltans who voted for me, and those who didn’t in order to earn their trust and confidence’? Trust is about leveling with the people. ‘And, how do I utilise public funds entrusted to me to ensure sustainable development and improve the welfare and security of the people and the state? In all of these questions, the answer is simple, public interest first, self-interest last.
You needed to have been at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, last Monday(Jan 27) to witness the redefinition of servant leadership and the rewards bestowed on those who have truly acquitted themselves in the art of governance and delivered the dividends of democracy that can be felt. It is, therefore, not for nothing that Gov Oborevwori received the “Best Governor Award 2024 from ThisDay and Arise Television. Though two other state Governors – Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos) and Umo Eno(Akwa Ibom) were also recipients at the classy event, Gov Oborevwori was the cynosure of all eyes. It was his day, and he seized it with two hands.
This is why: The award was for his “fiscal discipline and infrastructural development”. In Nigeria’s pork barrel politics, where some governors have cornered public funds to personal use and for their business associates, neglecting the welfare of the people and infrastructural development, it is appropriate that those who have excelled in these two key areas should be garlanded and rewarded for hard work and fiscal prudence. Oborevwori’s case is a worthy example. Founder of ThisDay and Arise Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena aptly captured why the Governor was a choice pick. “Gov Oborevwori was underrated”, he said, “but in his 18 months in power, he has not borrowed any kobo from any bank, and he keeps building infrastructure across the state”.
You may have wondered why Prince Obaigbena used the word “underrated”. This is why: many people in Delta state are yet to come to terms on how Oborevwori believe Governor. While some believe it could be ‘divine intervention’, other insist without proof that it was by “deft political engineering”(whatever that means). But I think, Oborevwori is “God’s pikin”. ‘What God cannot do’, they say, ‘doesn’t exist’. He has a miracle man, who defied the known trajectories in Delta state before one could become governor. He was neither a Commissioner nor Secretary to the State Government(SSG) as was the case with his two predecessors. He made history as the first Speaker of the state House of Assembly to become executive Governor.
The essence of that God’s uncommon grace is not lost on him. Immediately he was sworn in, he moved with lightning speed on fulfilling the campaign promises he made to Deltans. He refused to be unfazed by the petition against his election by the defeated APC candidate. Presenting him with the award last Monday night, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, described Gov Oborevwori as “an achiever with great positive accomplishments”. He dedicated the award to God and the people of the state. For him, the award was a recognition of efforts in advancing Delta state through the MORE Agenda. He assured that the award would spur him to do more for the people of the state in the years ahead. The governor had on assumption of office in 2023, promised to prove doubters wrong, saying he would be “Governor for all Deltans”. Looking at the criteria used by ThisDay and Arise TV Board of Editors, fiscal discipline was a critical, factor in Oborevwori’s favour. Having inherited a debt of N465bn from his predecessor, Gov Oborevwori has paid off N130bn. He has given his word to liquidate the remainder of the inherited debt before the end of his first tenure in 2027. This is a trailblazing achievement, a commendable effort that other state governors should emulate.
Currently, many states are walking a tightrope because of debt overhang. The Executive Assistant to the Governor on New media, Mr. Felix Ofou says the governor will remain financially prudent by ensuring that the state adequately fund projects initiated by the governor without resorting to taking loans as has been the habit of many state governors. The governor, Mr Ofou says, has effectively and efficiently blocked all financial leakages, thereby saving several billions of taxpayers’ money. The funds have been deployed for the execution of many projects across the state.
Many visitors to Delta state in recent months have described the oil-rich state as construction site as a result of gigantic projects. These include the construction of three flyovers at the popular DSC roundabout, Petroleum Training Institute(PTI) Junction and Enerhen in Warri and Effurun by Julius Berger. About N78bn is said to have spent on these projects. Also, wearing a new look are the popular Bowen road and Benin road, in Sapele. Same with the Ughelli North, Kwale-Beneku bridge linking Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East local government areas. They are nearing completion. Many roads in the rural area of the state are currently being rehabilitated, just as dozens of roads in the urban centres have been expanded as dual carriageways. As a man with “street credibility”(as he calls himself), Gov Oborevwori, is aware that governance as a human enterprise must positively touch the lives of the people. With hunger ravaging millions of Nigerians as a result of President Tinubu’s harsh economic policies, Gov Oborevwori says he will remain committed to changing the lives of the people. The plight of traders, artisans and other people who engage in start-ups have received his government’s attention, with the intervention of N500 million to 5,000 small business operators.
His government has increased the number of beneficiaries of the state COVID-19 through the Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus(D-CARES) to110,841 from 36,353. This represents an increase of 205 percent. Last week, the governor approved payment of 2023/2024 Bursary award to over 32,000 students of the state in higher institutions across the country. Oborevwori’s policies are equally noticeable in the health sector. Recently, the state won $400,000 from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for excellence in Primary healthcare. The state contributory health commission was recently ranked first in the country and West African subregion. Last year, the governor approved N3bn for the rehabilitation of 150 primary health centres. This is in addition to free maternal care for pregnant women and kids up to 5 years old. Altogether, he must strive to surpass his present accomplishments. That will help cement his legacy as Gov of Delta state. Nothing less will do.