Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan administration’s giant developmental strides have continued to receive recognition and commendation within and outside the shores of the country.
The United Nations and revered cleric, Pastor William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church in their separate remarks about the administration, drew uniform conclusions that the Delta State Government was setting the pace in good governance and development in the country.
UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure in his goodwill message at the preparatory workshop on Delta State Development Performance Assessment, observed with delight the decision of the State Government, 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 (MDGs) by the global body.
Toure, who was represented by FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms 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.
Mr. Toure informed that the UN System commends His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel 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 (MDGs).
He said that the 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 him, 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 courtesy call on the Governor, also thanked God for the great developmental strides he saw in the State, adding that when he passed through the State capital, he wondered how long he last visited Delta State since so much has virtually changed.
The General Superintendent said that when he saw the Members of the Governor’s able team especially in education and other areas thanked the Lord, saying no wonder such a great thing is being done in the State.
He expressed believe over the fact that it will not come as a surprise if the State becomes a model for other states in the country, adding that the Executive Governor, although simple and unassuming, is a great gift to the State and thanked God for the cooperation of the citizens with the Governor.
Governor Uduaghan speaking on the UN pre-assessment workshop explained that his administration has taken the bold and courageous step to invite the UN to assess how far he has done in his human development agenda.
He noted that the assessment was not aimed at determining whether the State Government passed or failed but to help it evaluate its performance on the key sectors with a view to ascertaining how it has fared and identify areas that needed improvement.
The Governor told the visiting cleric, that his administration through the help of God has recorded modest achievements despite the challenges it had faced.
He emphasized that the State was passionate about education and was pursuing a comprehensive 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 level.
Delta State Government Press Release
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