Grassroots Development: Okowa-Daramola Attributes Successes To Oborevwori, Empowers 500

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Member representing Ika North-East Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, has attributed the successes recorded in her three years in office to the people-centred leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, saying his administration has created the enabling environment for grassroots development and effective representation across the state.

Speaking on Saturday while presenting her three-year stewardship report and empowering 500 constituents at Owa-Alero, Okowa-Daramola said the governor’s support had been instrumental to the achievements she had recorded since assuming office.

The event, themed “Our People First: Promise Made, Promise Kept,” drew political leaders, traditional rulers, party faithful and residents from across Ika North-East.

She thanked God for His faithfulness and expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for his unwavering support, noting that the administration’s commitment to people-oriented governance had inspired her to remain focused on delivering tangible benefits to her constituents.

According to her, shortly after assuming office, she received advice that political power is temporary and should always be used to improve the lives of the people, a principle she said has continued to guide her legislative service.

Okowa-Daramola disclosed that extensive consultations with traditional rulers, community leaders, traders, farmers, artisans, women, youths, senior citizens and persons with disabilities revealed that the people were hardworking and resilient but required opportunities to expand their businesses and improve their standard of living.

She explained that the empowerment programme was designed as a direct response to those needs and represented the fulfilment of promises made during her electioneering campaign.

Reviewing her scorecard, the lawmaker highlighted the sponsorship of impactful bills and motions, distribution of educational materials to thousands of pupils, construction of classroom blocks, provision of school furniture, installation of solar-powered streetlights, construction of market stalls, facilitation of road projects, procurement of a fire truck for emergency response, business support grants and vocational training programmes for hundreds of constituents.

She said the projects had improved access to education, enhanced public safety, stimulated local businesses, empowered young people and restored hope to many families across the constituency.

As part of the empowerment programme, no fewer than 500 beneficiaries, including students, farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs, senior citizens and persons with disabilities from all wards of the constituency, received cash grants, bursaries, motorcycles, refrigerators, sewing machines, hair dryers, grinding machines, washing machines, generators, farming inputs, wheelchairs and other vocational tools.

She urged the beneficiaries not to sell the items but to utilise them to establish sustainable businesses, create jobs and improve their economic wellbeing.

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, commended Okowa-Daramola for what he described as an outstanding grassroots empowerment initiative, saying the large turnout at the event reflected the confidence and trust the people had in her leadership.

Guwor noted that the lawmaker had distinguished herself through quality legislation and sustained engagement with her constituents, urging residents to continue supporting her, the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

He stressed that true public service should extend beyond election periods and encouraged her to sustain the empowerment initiatives for the benefit of the people.

Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, described Okowa-Daramola as a legislator whose priority had consistently been the welfare of her constituents.

Aniagwu said her quality representation, impactful legislative contributions and constituency projects had earned her widespread admiration and positioned her for greater political responsibilities, while urging beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity to become economically self-reliant.

The Chairman of the APC in Ika North-East Local Government Area, Comrade Emeke Asiwe, also praised the lawmaker for transparent and inclusive representation, noting that beneficiaries were carefully selected from artisans, students, transport unions, religious organisations and persons with disabilities through a rigorous verification process.

According to him, although her emergence may initially have been associated with her family’s political background, she has since earned the confidence and respect of the people through performance, integrity and dedication to public service.

Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and his wife, Dame Edith Okowa, were among dignitaries at the event. Others included the member representing Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Victor Nwokolo; Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo; APC Deputy State Chairman, Elder Moses Iduh; Dr. Festus Okubor, Dr. Frank Nwugo, Dr. Hillary Ibegbulem and Hon. Ifeanyi Eboigbe.

Several beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the lawmaker, pledging to make productive use of the items and financial support to improve their livelihoods while contributing to the socio-economic development of Ika North-East Constituency.