DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Developmental Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Williams Makinde, former Acting Governor of Delta State, Prince Sam Obi and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Stella Omu have been unveiled to be among dignitaries to attend the first Maris Annual Lecture which has as topic, MANAGING POST-ELECTION CHALLENGES: Nigeria As Case Study will be discussed.
According to a press statement issued on Monday (08/04/19) in Asaba, Delta State, former top management staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) who is the Oshimili Atata of Ahaba, Chief Nicholas Chizea, Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission, Chief (Barr.) Josephine Ada Kachikwu, the Parish Priest of St. John Bosco Catholic Church, Asaba, Rev. Fr. John Konyeke are billed to play the roles of Chairman, Mother of the Day and Father of the Day respectively at the occasion.
“Bearing in mind the prevailing situation of Nigeria and other countries between the period of elections and inauguration of the winners, the lecture has become very important as it is designed to calm frayed nerves and engender a peaceful environment ahead of the inauguration of a new government in Nigeria on May 29, 2019,” the press statement signed by Chief Kenneth Olise and Comrade Fidelis Egugbo, Chairman and Secretary of Maris Trust Council, organisers of the lecture said.
“The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, a man who has contested in several elections will be the Chief Guest of Honour; Chief Williams Makinde who is a Ph.D holder, had a glorious period in the media and currently ensuring good management of the affairs of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Developmental Commission will deliver the lecture,”
According the statement, “notable Nigerians who have excelled in their chosen fields like Senator Stella Unuezi Omu, former Senate Chief Whip; former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly who at a time, was the Acting Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Prince Sam Obi; renowned lawyer and politician, Chief Fred Majemite; Dr David Oba of the Department of Political Science, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Ms Faith Nwadishi of the Transparency International will discuss the topic while the National President of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, a renowned Journalist and lecturer, Dr Kemi Emina will play the role of Moderator at the event.”
They continued, “notable politicians across the political divides, people from the academic community, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Union of Journalists, the organised private sector, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all those who are interested in stable polity, among others, are expected to attend the lecture which will hold at the Orchid Hotel, Asaba on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 from 12 noon.”
“Based on several reactions from the public, and the fact that the lecture is free, appropriate arrangement has been made to ensure that people are well seated during the lecture,” Chief Olise and Comrade Egugbo added.
