By Ejiro Nesisa
The Senator Representing Delta South Senatorial District, in the National Assembly, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has appreciated God on his election victory just as he promised work in synergy with other Senators in 10th National Assembly to bring rapid growth and development to the country in general and Delta South in particular through robust legislation.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo stated this in a chat with newsmen during his election victory/ inauguration thanksgiving held at Christ Chosen Deliverance Church, Headquarters in Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State.
He said, as a professional accountant, and somebody who has been in business and public service, it was expected that his wealth of experience would be brought to bear in championing development programmes and policies that will have direct bearing on his Senatorial District, Delta State in particular and Nigeria at large.
He said:” We shall bring the best of input into Governance. That is, we shall focus on development and put projects in the budget that will impact positively on the lives of the people”.
According to him, the Senate shall bring professionalism into governance as they would make laws that will affect the lives of the people by way of creating employment for the teaming youths and those who are not in employable state. He said, the benefit of their laws would be on everybody in the country especially the Delta South he represents.
He said:”We are both core professionals, we are catalyst for change and we are ready to do that. I also believe that, the Nigeria you see today is not the Nigeria to the expectations of many Nigerians and we will change the narratives.”
Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas said he dedicates his victory to God just as he dedicates himself to God to have used him to fulfill the scripture which says:”When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice”.
He said:”I believe without doubts, this victory wouldn’t have been possible without God on our side. We went through many battles. But at the end, God gave us victory”.
Senator Onowakpo used the medium to appreciate the men of God for, apart from gracing the ceremony, he thanked them for their prayers which saw him to victory and successful inauguration just as he thanked the Royal Fathers in Delta South Senatorial Districts for their support and presence in the ceremony. He said, it was honour for him and his family to have them felicitate with him. He also thanked others too numerous to mention for their support and prayers which made him victorious.
He said:”I also thank my party Leaders and my father Comr. O.S Macaulay, Isoko Development Union, led by the President General, Prof. Chris Akpotu, and eminent personalities here present, the good people of Delta South Senatorial District. I say, big thanks to you all .”
On his part, the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Chief Ede Dafinone expressed gratitude for Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas and his team to have come together saying, their unity in the struggle saw them to victory and therefore thanked God for them.
Senator Chief Dafinone joined voice with that of Senator Onowakpo Thomas that they would bring rapid growth and development to the people through robust legislation. He said:” We will bring professional approach to bear in the Senate. Our people sent us there to bring development home for them: the development that would touch them specifically and generally. So, the thrust of our jobs would not just be to tar roads and develop the health sector but individuals by way of empowerment and others .”
Earlier on in his homily, the Founder/ General Overseer of Christ Chosen Deliverance Church, Amb Apostle (Dr.) M.T.O Oki, harped on the need to return to God with thanksgiving.
In the message tagged: “How Can I Forget So Soon”, with scripture references from 2 Samuel 6:14-16, Psalms 67:5-6, and Psalms 20:1, he said, “Our distinguished Senator remember the goodness of God upon his life hence he has returned to give thanks to God for His election victory and inauguration.”
He commended the entire Isoko Nation, Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities for ensuring that, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas emerged the Senator Representing Delta South Senatorial District, urging them to pray and support him in order for him to attract meaningful development to Delta South Senatorial District.
The thanksgiving service and reception was attended by eminent personalities from all walks of life including Royal Fathers and top Chieftains of the All Progressive Congress in Delta State.