The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has attributed the achievements of his administration, which has earned him recognition from several quarters, including national newspapers awards, to the support and cooperation from people of the state.
Governor Uduaghan, who spoke in Abuja on Tuesday after receiving the Leadership Newspaper 2013 Governor Of The Year Award, explained that the unity of purpose and support of the people provided the enabling environment for the successes his administration has recorded.
“I thank God once more for this award, which I am dedicating to every hardworking Deltan,” the Governor said, adding: “Whatever we have set out to achieve today can only be achieved if we all as Deltans put up a right attitude and the right frame of mind to achieve our goal, which is Delta beyond oil.”
It would be recalled that Dr. Uduaghan was the 2013 Man of The Year of the Sun Newspaper and Vanguard Newspaper Man of the year 2013, among others.
Governor Uduaghan said he was humbled to be receiving the award with former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), who bagged the Leadership Person Of The Year award.
According to the Governor: “I am happy to stand here with General Yakubu Gowon, who as head of state, I was one of those drafted to stand by the roadside to wait for him while he was passing and waved at him.
“I have told this story before.
“I am happy to be here with you.
“I congratulate you for this honour and also congratulate all the other recipients and I thank everyone that has come here today to celebrate with us.”
Gowon, at the occasion, urged aspirants for political office to stop character assassination, stressing that he believed in a united and progressive Nigeria.
He said: “As politicians, what I’m going to request you to do is that we have to guard against always trying to condemn ourselves in such a manner that the outside world thinks that we are not good.
“We must really think of dealing or addressing policies and not attack individuals.”
Gowon said he dreams of a Nigeria where the youths “can have every facility to educate themselves so that they can make their own contributions to the greatness of this country”.
The publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka, who was Chairman of the occasion, urged civil servants to be committed to their job rather than be self-seeking while discharging their duties.
The Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State were among those that received awards.
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina bagged Public Officer Of The Year award.