The massive development of infrastructure by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in Delta State has caught the attention of the United Nations.
It has also received accolade from revered cleric, Pastor William Kumuyi, the General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church.
Their uniform compliments about the state hailed the governor’s administration over developmental accomplishments, which they claimed has set the pace in good governance and development in Nigeria.
In the goodwill message of the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Daouda Toure, at the preparatory workshop on Delta State Development Performance Assessment, he observed with delight the decision of the state, the first in the country, to subject its performance in key sectors: health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation for assessment with regard to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
Toure, who was represented by FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Louise Sethswaelo, noted that monitoring performance and progress of development was one powerful tool, which leads to positive transformation and evidence based planning in a state or nation.
He said: “The UN System commends Your Excellency (Uduaghan) for signing up Delta State for the objective performance assessment of key sectors of agriculture, water and sanitation, education and health, as well as the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
“This assessment is an indication of the state’s commitment to the broad ideals of good and accountable governance, democracy, peace and security among others.”
According to Toure, the assessment would enable the UN and the State Government to determine “what progress has been made, the shortcomings encountered and where to strengthen efforts in the future”.
Pastor Kumuyi, during a visit to the state, observed: “I thank the Lord for the great strides of development that I see in the state.
“As I pass through and came to your capital here, I wondered: has it been that long since I came to Delta State because everything has virtually changed.
“As I see the members of your able team, especially in education and other areas, and I really thanked the Lord and say no wonder such a great thing is being done in this state.
“I believe that as we move on with selfless efforts to be a blessing to all our people in the state, I will not be surprised if this state becomes a model state for the states in the country.
“The Executive Governor, even though looks so simple and unassuming, is a great gift to this state and I thank God for the cooperation of the citizens with the governor.”
The governor however emphasized that the state was passionate about education and was pursuing a compressive educational programme, which is free at the primary and secondary levels, adding that tertiary students are paid bursaries and scholarships, with over 180 students benefitting from the government’s scholarship of N5 million per session for first class graduates to pursue their academic careers up to doctorate degree.
He said: “We have taken the bold and the courageous step to invite the UN to assess us on how far we have done in our human development agenda.
“It is a bold and courageous step because in Nigeria people have different ways of assessing the leadership and people are always ready to condemn.”
UN, Kumuyi hail Uduaghan’s deft strategy of developing Delta
