SENATOR IFEANYI ARTHUR OKOWA,THE MAN THE CAP FITS FOR GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, 2015-VICTOR IWEKUBA Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa hails from Owa-Alero in Ika North-East LGA of Delta state. His sojourn into politics started in the late eighties, having graduated at a tender age of 22 from the prestigious University of Ibadan as a medical doctor.He started his medical practice at Igbanke community, where he offered health care services to the people and its environ. On venturing into politics,He first served as secretary to Ika LGA,where he adhered himself to the ideology of the late OGIDI OF AFRICA(Humphrey Iwerebor) who brought him up politically. Subsequently on creation of Ika North East he was democratically elected as the first pioneer Chairman of the LGA. EKWUEME as he is popularly called by supporters and even opponents, whose uncompromising attitude has endeared him to a lot of people, thus, making him one of the most popular public figure to come out of Anioma land, his decades of long service to his people cum constituency has earned him accolades from all quarters. On return of democracy to our nation in 1999, He was appointed as the commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources of our dear state DELTA. Being one of the pioneer members of PDP in the state and acting in this capacity, he saw to the establishment of Delta state Agricultural procurement agency and tractor units, Micro credit guarantee scheme for rural farmers,fish hatchery centres and cassava,Oil palm and pineapple projects among others. Having served meritoriously in this capacity, he was deployed to Water Resources ministry as the pioneer commissioner, where he also distinguished himself through the provision of portable water to the rural areas across the state through the Solar powered water scheme and also having many urban/rural water scheme reconstructed and rehabilitated. From here,he was moved to the Heath ministry where he also brought reforms. To his credit, many primary and comprehensive health care centres were reconstructed,renovated and equipped,he also introduced the rural health scheme to bridge the gap and bring health care service to the rural populace, establishment of dialysis centre,midwifery schools in Amukpe and Asaba,permanent site of nursing school at Agbor and Warri and notably, Delta state ministry of health was adjudged one of the best in the country. In 2007 he was appointed as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).In this capacity, he efficiently coordinated the activities of the various ministries and agencies; and ensured the governor was assisted with grid advice for effective running of the State. In all, he used the different offices to empower and touch lives of many across the state. Hence in 2011 he was called by the good people of Anioma (Delta North) to represent them at the Senate; and subsequently, he was elected as the Senator representing delta north in the national assembly. He had since demonstrated that he is not an armchair law-maker; but a man that matches his words with action. No wonder he was made the Chairman Senate Committee on Health. Within 36 months in the Senate he had sponsored twelve bills. Amongst which are; the national health bills,HIV/Aids anti-discrimination bills,National Health Insurance bills,Privatisation and commercialization of public enterprise amendment bills, etc; and above all has attracted several federal projects and empowerment to its constituency. As the peoples representative, he runs an open door policy with his constituents. He is a man characterised with professional excellence,laudable achievement,operational efficiency and administrative fastidiousness in its entirety. Hence the clarion call by Deltans to occupy the UNITY HOUSE come 2015
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:51:00 +0000