63 HEARTY CHEERS TO A COLOSSUS, TRUE PATRIOT, POLITICAL GO-GETTER AND PHILANTHROPIST PAR EXCELLENCE

His Excellency, Chief James Onanefe Ibori

Former Executive Governor

Delta State

Your Excellency, I wish to congratulate you most warmly on the occasion of your 63rd birthday.

This is a refreshing opportunity to celebrate your enormous contributions and achievements.

You faithfully and diligently served the good people of Delta State, cast aside all forms of tribalism and delivered the dividends of democracy to them.

You extensively touched the lives of many Nigerians, shaped the future of the people, encouraged broad participation in governance, lifted Delta State to unprecedented relevance and helped to clinch victory at the polls for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

You implemented the bottom-top philosophy, institutionalized due process and sustained peace in Delta State by preaching the gospel of peaceful co-existence, good neighbourliness and unity amongst all

You carried traditional rulers along in sustaining peace, through periodic meetings

You created an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive

You brought development and transformation to the geo-political entity called Delta State through Operation 2000 Projects

You excelled in development issues and relationship with your deputy

You paid bursary allowances to students of tertiary institutions, curbed unemployment, youth restiveness and ethnic crisis in Delta State.

You promoted peace, harmony and development in the Niger Delta.

You campaigned for the diversification of the nation’s economy, power shift, resource control and derivation as well as enthronement of equity and justice in a restructured Nigerian polity where true federalism reigns.

You also campaigned for decentralization of policing and security responsibilities of government.

You built bridges of friendship and understanding among Nigerians

You demonstrated that leadership is not a function of tribe but a matter of vision, determination and mission

You recorded successes in security, job creation, human resources capacity building, gender and youth empowerment, environmental sustainability and remediation, fiscal discipline and budgetary reforms.

You did exceedingly well in transportation, healthcare delivery, water supply, basic and higher education, rural electrification, sports, ICT, agriculture and housing.

You provided better roads, built bridges, facilitated the training of Deltans in local and foreign universities and provided selfless service to mankind

As a responsible governor of Delta State, the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature was a model in terms of peaceful co-existence, separation of powers and checks and balances. The judiciary also enjoyed tremendous support and co-operation from the Executive.

Indeed, you exceeded the expectations of the founding fathers of Delta State through visionary, exemplary and transformational leadership.

I wish you good health, long life and God’s continued protection.

Congratulations and many, many happy returns

CHIEF EMMANUEL ORITSEJOLOMI UDUAGHAN

ALEMA OF WARRI AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO),

WEBSTER GROUP OF COMPANIES