Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 64th Independence anniversary, but urged all to work in unity to surmount the economic and security challenges facing the country.
The Governor made the call in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, on Tuesday in Asaba.
He said Nigerians should work in unison, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic diversities, to ensure the nation overcame its present challenges.
He sent felicitations to President Bola Tinubu, the people of Delta and other Nigerians on this year’s Independence anniversary.
He urged the citizens to support the government’s efforts at salvaging the nation from insecurity and economic downturn.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Nigerians as we celebrate the 64th anniversary of our country’s independence.
“As a country, we have been privileged to enjoy uninterrupted democracy since 1999 and it is imperative we continue to work hard in building on the gains of the last 25 years of unbroken democratic rule.
“October 1st is a day to celebrate and pay tribute to our country men and women who sacrificed so that we can celebrate this day; we should never forget the sacrifices of our heroes past.
“At 64, Nigeria has come a long way despite economic, security and political setbacks; it is important we remain strong, exercise patience and be of good faith in God and our nation’s leaders at this critical period”, he said.
Oborevwori added, “as an administration, it is on record that we have recorded significant strides in the implementation of our MORE Agenda aimed at making life more meaningful for the people of Delta since we came on board on 29th May, 2023.
“As we celebrate this year’s independence anniversary, be assured that we will remain focused on delivering our agenda to the people of Delta”.

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has inaugurated the cultivation of 2,000 hectares of commercial maize cultivation in Odukpani Local Government Area through the state government’s Project Grow Initiative.
Performing the inauguration, Otu said his plan was to help Cross River farmers increase their revenue over middlemen who bought off their produce and sold at a higher prices without going through the pains of the farmers.
The Tide’s reports that Project Grow is a market driven initiative aimed at stimulating private sector investment in key agricultural value chains such as maize, rice, cassava, aquaculture and animal fodder.
Represented by Mrs. Glory Effiong, Accountant General of the state, the governor said the initiative was designed to curb food insecurity and create sustainable economy in the state by having farmers cultivate and companies like Flour Mills off-take.
He said the project was a testament to what resilience could achieve, as the occasion was symbolic to celebrate the commencement of mechanical planting of maize over a commercial area of 2,000 hectares.
“It is expected that after six years, this project will allow the market players in each of the value chain to understand themselves and engage independently while bringing our people into the money system to tackle multidimensional poverty.
“It is my dream that every resident of Cross River will live above poverty line because the Nigerian economy has shown a wide gap between the rich and the poor but this initiative aims to bridge it”, he said.
The Director of Project Grow, Mr Dennis Ikpali, said in the past, farmers in the state planted maize at subsistence level but Project Grow was helping the them commercialise the whole process by cultivating 2,000 hectares of land.
Ikpali said the maize acquired by Project Grow was early maturing, high yielding, disease and drought resistant with the capacity of producing four tons of maize per hectare.
“This means that within four months of planting, the 2,000 hectares of land has the capacity to generate 8,000 tons of maize.
“And by market computation, where a ton of maize is N600,000, we are looking at 10 to N12 billion income flowing through the system”, he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mary Ayi, who was given a hectare, said she used to plant cassava but was ready to go into commercial cultivation of maize because of its shorter duration.
She added that she would plough back whatever she got to enlarge her farm.
Another indigene of Odukpani, Nsa Okon, said he was quite satisfied with the implementation process of Project Grow urging those yet to receive their portions to be patient as the implementation was in phases.
The source also reports that for effective cultivation of the land, each farmer would receive N1 million loan from partner commercial banks and upon harvesting, the maize would be off-taken by Flour Mills Nigeria, another key partner of the project.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the people of the state to continue to rally round the Prosperity Government towards sustaining the prevailing peace and stability that had put the state on a steady path of development.
Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor stated this at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service in commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence Day and Bayelsa State at 28 anniversary at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Diri, who attributed the peace and security being experienced in the state to the collective efforts of the various security agencies, equally appreciated the support of all Bayelsans that led to the achievements recorded by successive administrations.
According to the governor, Bayelsa State has made tremendous progress in the last 28 years of its creation considering where the state used to be in terms of development.
The governor who noted that Yenagoa used to be known as a one-road capital city, but today the state can now boast of at least three entry points into Yenagoa due to the commitment of government to embark on massive infrastructural development across the state.
“You can now see the roads we are constructing, including the ongoing three senatorial roads as well the by-pass are among several road projects being handled to open up the state.
“And so we’re only stating the obvious when we say we have done very well. Our state is not where it used to be. I urge our people to see the brighter side of life rather than the dark side”, he said.
On the issue of the planned October 1st nationwide protest, Senator Diri said the best option to resolving issues remains dialogue, and therefore, enjoined those planning the protest to shelve the idea especially in the state.
He noted that his administration was doing everything humanly possible to ensure that there was peace and development as evident in the various projects and programmes being put in place for the welfare of Bayelsans.
“Through protest we are likely to destroy the peace we have worked hard to achieve. So, l encourage them to sheathe their sword. Let us dialogue because a house that is divided against itself can never stand.
“It has to be dark before it becomes day breaks. And so, we hope and pray that we will pass through this dark period. So l want to encourage them to avoid the protest especially here in Bayelsa State. We are doing all that is possible to ensure that there is peace and prosperity for everyone.
“As Bayelsa celebrate 28 years anniversary, l offer the message of hope, courage and determination because we are closer to where we need to get to than where we started.
“The government of Senator Douye Diri is doing everything humanly possible to develop the state and the signs are there for all to see, and so, they should be hopeful”, he stressed.
In his sermon, titled, “A Shepherd ln The Imitation of Christ”, the Chaplain, Central Naval Command Headquarters, Bayelsa State, Rev. Father Ethelbert Owulu, urged leaders to see themselves as an instrument of God to render selfless service to mankind.
Rev. Father Owulu, who is also a commander in the Nigerian Navy, said just as God chose various prophets to deliver his people from hardship, those in positions of authority should see themselves as shepherds to improve the general wellbeing of the people.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo read the only lesson at the service which was taken from the book of Joel Chapter two, verse 23 to 26.
Intercessory prayers were offered for President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima, Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and their families as well as for the security, peace and stability of Nigeria and Bayelsa State.
Special prayers were also offered for the three arms of government and the people of Nigeria, particularly the Niger Delta region and Ijaw land.
Dignitaries who attended the service included, Wife of the Governor, Dr Gloria Diri, the informer military governor of Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the immediate past deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, state lawmakers,
Others are, Secretary to State Government, Prof Nimbofa Ayaowei, the state Head of Service, Dame Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, Commissioners and other top government functionaries, service commanders, and royal fathers including the Chairman of the state traditional rulers council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa