*Redeems N50m Scholarship To Delta Student
DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Monday, October 12, urged Judges and lawyers to uphold justice, integrity and the rule of law in the discharge of their professional responsibilities and to resist influence, favouritism and personal interests.
Oborevwori commended judicial officers, members of the Bar and other stakeholders for their dedication and resilience, despite the challenges encountered in the previous legal year, adding that justice goes beyond the mere application of the law, but must be administered with conscience, fairness and respect for human dignity.
Speaking at the Thanksgiving Mass to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year in the state, held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba, the governor urged, who took the first Bible reading from Exodus 23:1, 3, 6-8, said the judiciary played a vital role in protecting citizens’ rights, resolving disputes, upholding the rule of law, assuring the people that justice could be pursued through lawful means.
Quoting Micah 6:8, Oborevwori said the administration of justice required fairness, impartiality, compassion and integrity, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary through the provision of infrastructure, improved welfare and an enabling environment for effective justice delivery.
He described a strong, independent and effective judiciary as essential to peace, security and sustainable development, noting its constitutional responsibility to check the other arms of government.
“As we begin the new legal year, I urge judicial officers and legal practitioners to remain steadfast in upholding the highest standards of their profession. Let justice be administered impartially and expeditiously. Let integrity remain the foundation of our conduct, and let the rule of law prevail over influence, favouritism or personal interest,” he said.
The governor also prayed for wisdom and courage for judges, integrity and professionalism for lawyers, and the patience and compassion required by all those involved in the administration of justice.
In his homily, Bishop Elue stressed the need for fairness, transparency and accountability in the administration of justice, describing the judiciary as a critical pillar of democracy, charged with holding government accountable, protect citizens’ rights and ensure compliance with Nigeria’s constitution.
Elue called for transparency in judicial proceedings, insisting that justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to have been done, cautioning that misconduct of a few judicial officers could undermine public confidence in the entire judiciary and urging Judges and lawyers to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
In another development, Oborevwori fulfilled his N50million scholarship promise to Davina Ogheneovo, a Junior Technical Two student of Model Technical College, Oghareki, Ethiope West Local Council during his inauguration of the school last Friday, following her impressive extempore speech.
The governor, while receiving Davina; her mother, Berkeley Ogheneovo; the school’s Principal, Local Government Chairman, Christian Onogba; Commissioner for Technical Education, Smart Ufoh; and others, at Government House, said the award was part of his administration’s commitment to promoting education and rewarding excellence, stressing that education remained a lasting legacy.
He recalled that Delta students who emerged world champions at the World Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar, received N20million each, adding that the state also recognises outstanding university graduates, noting that Davina’s confidence and eloquence, despite attempts to distract her during her speech, informed his decision to support her education.
The governor directed that the scholarship be paid into a dedicated account operated by her parents exclusively for Davina’s education until she is able to operate the account on attaining the age of 18.
He assured the beneficiary and her parents that the scholarship would cover her education through the technical college and university, thereby easing the family’s financial burden.
Oborevwori recalled his previous intervention and rescued of an abused boy, who he offered a scholarship, which enabled him to complete secondary school and now in the university, reaffirming his commitment to supporting vulnerable children.
Davina, who aspires to become a medical doctor, thanked the governor for the scholarship and commended his administration for providing modern facilities at the college, pledging to remain focused on her studies and justify the confidence reposed in her.
Her mother, Berkeley, described the award as an unexpected gesture that would support her daughter’s education through university, explaining that she chose the technical college for her daughter because of her belief in technical education and its potential to equip young people with practical skills.
Ufoh said the scholarship reflected the government’s commitment to educational development and supporting promising students, while Onogba commended the governor for siting the college in the area, saying it would equip young people with skills for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
He pledged the council’s support in protecting the school’s infrastructure, urging residents to take ownership of the institution and preserve its facilities.
Meanwhile, Oborevwori has urged African youths to take active interest in leadership and politics, move beyond complaints about governance and become actively involved in the political process to drive meaningful change in their communities and countries, saying their participation is critical to shaping the continent’s future.
The governor, while declaring open the fifth edition of the Social Innovation and Leadership Bootcamp (SILB) Africa 2026, with the theme, ‘Architects of Change,’ at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, stated that Africa needed young people capable of innovating, creating opportunities, building sustainable enterprises and contributing to community development.
Represented by the Commissioner for Transport, Onoriode Agofure, the governor said leadership demanded courage, service, commitment and the ability to translate ideas into practical solutions to societal challenges, adding that the initiative aligned with his administration’s MORE Agenda, particularly its commitment to youth empowerment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and technological innovation.
He cited the contributions of the state’s Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes and Innovation Hub in equipping young people with practical skills and opportunities for economic independence, referencing targeted training programmes, including a recent workshop on electric vehicles for young Deltans, as part of efforts to prepare them for emerging industries.
He commended the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mentoring and Development, Elvis Akpobi, alongside the organisers, mentors, facilitators and partners, for investing in the development of emerging African leaders.
Earlier, Akpobi said the Bootcamp was designed to equip young people with the leadership skills, knowledge and exposure needed to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development and that of the African continent.
He disclosed that about 50 international delegates were participating in this year’s edition in Asaba, stressing the need to create more opportunities for young people to participate actively in governance and policymaking.
Akpobi commended Oborevwori for supporting youth-focused initiatives under the MORE Agenda, saying his commitment to youth development went beyond rhetoric.
Speaking with journalists, Eugene Uzum said sustainable good governance depended largely on the ability of leaders and other critical stakeholders to recognise the role of young people in nation-building, describing the programme as an initiative aimed at nurturing a patriotic generation of young Africans capable of taking responsibility for the continent’s future.
Also speaking, Founder of Connected Development, Hamzat Lawal, stressed the need to sustain youth participation in politics and governance, describing leadership training as essential to preparing young Africans for leadership responsibilities.
