The Governor represented by his Deputy, Barr. Deacon Otuaro was honoured as the Niger Delta Governor of the year for his human capital development and people oriented projects.
In the same vein the Deputy Governor also got an award as the Niger Delta Deputy Governor of the year for his sterling leadership style.
Deacon Otuaro who was delighted and overwhelmed by the amazing gesture noted that Gbaramatu voice for the past five years has stood tall in its reportage of topical issues in the Niger Delta region.
According to Elohor Agbra, the Special Assistant (SA) on Media, Deacon Otuaro described the theme of the programme as apt as development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, giving the fact that Nigeria is a mono economy and whatever threatens it’s peace will undermine progress.
The Deputy Governor advised Nigerians particularly those in the Niger Delta to expand the frontiers of integration and cooperation.
“The laudable efforts of our national and sub-national government to diversify our oil and gas based economy into Agriculture, science and technology education, solid mineral development and so on, have been insignificant.
“Consequentially Nigeria remains a mono economy, so whatever threatens the economy affects our very own existence as a people.
“This brings to the fact that the phenomenon of peace and security in the region cannot be over emphasized.
“I want to enjoin us all in the Niger Delta to ensure that we build this phenomenon of peace in the region.
“I believe very strongly that the justice we seek in our political, social and economic space cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of chaos”, Otuaro stated.
Highpoint of the event was the cutting of anniversary cake.
