Chief Isioma Okonta, Coordinator of the Delta State Widows Welfare Scheme Dedicates Award by Democracy Newsline Newspaper to Gov. Oborevwori
The Technical Head of Livelihood Support Unit of the World Bank D-Cares Project and Coordinator of the Delta State Widows Welfare Scheme and Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Social Investment Programs, Chief Isioma Okonta has been honored with the prestigious Leadership Award of the Democracy Newsline Newspaper year 2024.
The award ceremony, which took place on October 9, 2024, at the Banquet Hall of the Merit House Maitama, Abuja, marked the fourteenth anniversary of the media outfit and the sixty-fourth anniversary of Nigeria’s Political Independence.
In his speech, Chief Olugbemi Femi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Michabifem Ventures Limited, the publisher of Democracy Newsline/blog, emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the talents, achievements, and contributions of individuals and organizations who have excelled in their respective fields.
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The event also featured papers on the role of social media in the development of the agriculture sector by Dr. Tunde Arosoyin, National Coordinator of Zero Hunger Nigeria, and on “Nigeria and the personal perspective in politics” by Comrade Bala Ibrahim.
Chief Isioma Okonta was represented by Barrister Anthony Egbaroghene Otu Esq, who received the award on his behalf.
Reacting to the Award of Honor, Chief Osioma Okonta commended the organizer of the elaborate event held in Abuja to find him worthy to be so recognized, stressing that it is Governor Sheriff Oborevwori that truly deserves the award of honor. He stated that without the Governor appointing him to the position, he may not have the opportunity.
He further noted that it is the Governor that has the vision and also providing the needed resources that is driving the program in Delta State to care for the vulnerable groups within the state and society at large, pointing out without the support of the Governor he wouldn’t have been recognized by Deltans let alone Nigerians.
He also used the opportunity to appreciate the former governor of the state, Senator Ifanyi Okowa who first appointed him in 2017 into the social investment program office as Coordinator before the current administration reappointed him to continue the good works which has paid off for vulnerable groups in the state.
He noted that the current administration under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori have empowered over two hundred thousand (200,000) vulnerable poor youths and women groups who are economically active with one trade or the other through the social investment platforms of the D-Cares programs in Delta State. He pointed out that selecting beneficiaries are not based on political, tribal or religious affiliations, rather it is drawn from the existing social register that covers the 270 wards and 25 local government areas of the state
Other recipients of special recognition awards included H.E. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, Niger State Governor, HE Mrs. Agyin Agbu Kefas, First Lady of Taraba State, and several other prominent figures.
