SSA CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS PERMANENT SECRETARY GOVERNMENT HOUSE A FRIEND TO THE CIVIL SOCIETY COMMUNITY AND A MAN OF INTEGRITY

By Ochuko Jude O' Ruemu


ASABA - The Permanent Secretary, Delta State Government House, and Protocols, Sir Edwin Gbegbaje Ogidi has been called a friend of the Civil Society Community and a man of integrity who by his words and actions has promoted accountability and transparency in government.

Speaking at this visit, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor of Delta State on Civic Engagement and Civil Society, Activist Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro commenced by conveying his heartfelt gratitude to the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Government House, and Protocols, Sir Edwin Gbegbaje Ogidi for granting this benevolent audience, knowing that the office of Permanent Secretary, Delta State Government House and Protocols is quite pivotal to the success of the Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa administration and that it was very necessary to solicit his partnership so as to help engage citizens better and in a bid to ensure timely realization of Goals 16 and 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The Senior Aide to the Governor further described Sir Edwin Gbegbaje Ogidi as a man of great means and high repute, by virtue of his esteemed office and track record of achievements as Permanent Secretary, Delta State Government House and Protocol, and also opined that it would be unserious to attempt to pursue Civil Society’s inclusion and prioritization by the Delta State Government without his due consultation, and thus the essence for this Consultative and Advocacy visit to solicit his kind support to deploy his good office and patronage towards the advancement of Civil Society causes, amongst others which include the establishment of the supremacy of the office of the Citizen, the accordance of pride of place to Civil Society as well as inclusion in governance processes which is in tandem with best global practices, increased Government’s effort towards the timely realization of Goal sixteen (16) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which seeks to significantly reduce all forms of violence everywhere, end abuse and trafficking of children, reduce corruption and bribery and develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels amongst others.

He called on the Permanent Secretary to remain humble, accessible and firm, noting that an exalted office as his, is often a target of mischief makers and blackmailers and as such he must remain focused and committed to the high ideals of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and never dignify mischief makers with attention.

The Acting Coordinator, Delta State Civil Society Community, Deacon Okezi Odugala at the visit re-echoed his appreciation to the State Government for opening the Civic space for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the State to thrive, noting that His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa is one of the few Governors in Nigeria to have given Civil Society its due recognition and pride of place. Deacon Okezi Odugala concluded by affirming the stoic belief of the Civil Society Community in the capacity of Sir Edwin Gbegbaje Ogidi to deliver on his primary duties and responsibility as Permanent Secretary, Delta State Government House, and Protocols, as well as the achievable milestones derivable from his support towards the pro-people initiatives of the Civil Society Community in areas such as citizen’s protection from human rights abuses, social welfare, child rights protection, gender-based violence, raising awareness and promoting Government’s decisive action on critical issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, gas flaring, environmental pollution stemming from oil spillage, mass youth migration and brain drain amongst others.

While responding to the addresses by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Delta State Governor on Civic Engagement and Civil Society, Activist Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro and the the Acting Coordinator, Delta State Civil Society Community, Deacon Okezi Odugala, the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Government House and Protocols, Sir Edwin Gbegbaje Ogidi commended the existing synergy between the office of the SSA to the Delta State Governor on Civil Society and the Delta State Civil Society Community, stating that it was a prerequisite for meaningful and applaudable achievements.

Sir Edwin Gbegbaje Ogidi further assured Civil Society that the Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa-led Delta State Government in the quest to establish a truly Stronger Delta will not only support the effort of Civil Society, this administration will never impede the movement or gag the expressed opinions of Civil Society as long as they are expressed creditably and constructively, believing that a further affirmation of the above position was the reason a key appointment for Civil Society was made and given due elevation to further amplify the voice of Civil Society as the conscience of society within the Delta State Government.

He charged the Delta State Civil Society Community to freely scrutinize the policies of the state government, and exploit greater opportunities for robust engagement where both Civil Society and Government can reach mutually beneficial conclusions for the benefit the citizens.

Sir Edwin Gbegbaje Ogidi further enjoined the delegation to also channel their advocacy towards the grassroots, giving stronger attention to their plight and bring such to the attention of government to ensure they are imparted positively by Government to make for a truly Stronger Delta.