On two different days recently, Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, reached out to two of the most vulnerable people in the society – widows and pensioners. Not by acts of tokenism but by implementing far-reaching policies to bring a decent level of succour their way.
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Oborevwori announced that his administration would support 10, 000 widows across the state with a monthly stipend of N15,000. Flagging off the welfare scheme at an event in Asaba, the governor reflected on how he has always interceded for widows in both his private and public life.
“Being a widow is not by choice, and it will never be anyone’s choice,” Oborevwori said.
“Beyond the pain of losing a loved one, widows are left with the burden of survival. That is why this administration is determined to improve their living conditions and give them hope.”
Under the welfare scheme, N15, 000 monthly stipend would be paid directly into the widows’ bank accounts to ensure accountability and transparency. However, for the initial tranche, the beneficiaries would get the sum of N45,000 which represents an arrears of three months.
In his remark, the governor observed that the reason for the delay of the scheme was to liaise with community leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society groups to verify claims of widowhood and ensure that qualified residents across the 270 federal wards benefit from the scheme and not solely party members, employed widows or widows on other welfare schemes. In a country where welfare initiatives often get hijacked by political interests, Oborevwori’s careful structuring of this programme is refreshing. It shows that governance can be both compassionate and disciplined. This is commendable.
It is also praiseworthy that in addition to the stipend, all beneficiaries of the scheme would be enrolled into the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme. This move ensures the widows have access to free healthcare services at accredited hospitals and primary health centres across the state. For many widows, the greatest challenge might not be about just putting food on the table but affording medical care when illness strikes. In this way, the governor is not merely handing out cash but building resilience, ensuring that these women can live with a measure of health security and self-worth.
According to Oborevwori: “This health insurance is even more important than the stipends because it ensures that no widow is denied medical care due to lack of funds.”
In our largely patrilineal and chauvinistic environment, where the female gender is often at a disadvantage, one does not need to be a rocket scientist to understand widows go through a lot and appreciate the move of the Oborevwori administration in this regard.
The next day, Tuesday, August 18, 2025, Oborevwori approved N10bn to clear outstanding pensions owed to retirees in the state. He made this announcement during a meeting with the Chairman, Bureau of State Pensions, Mr Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, and the state Chairman of the Association of Contributory Retirees, Anthony Osanekwu.
“So far, a total of N36.4bn has been paid in pensions, with N1.4bn released for payment of pensions monthly since I assumed office,” said Oborevwori.
“The state has not defaulted in meeting its monthly pension obligations under my watch. Our retirees are men and women who gave their best years in service to the state. It is only just that they receive what is due them, and under my watch, their welfare will remain top priority.”
Reacting to the governor’s announcement, Ogidi-Gbegbaje described it as a “pleasant surprise”, pledging that the funds would be exclusively used for pension payments. On his part, Osanekwu appreciated the governor for what he described as an unexpected and magnanimous gesture. It should be noted that Delta State retirees have been lamenting over the unpaid pension since 2012.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Oborevwori has run a people-centred government. His policies, be it in education, health, agriculture and manpower development has revolved around growth and development. Indeed, he has shown that he understands the essence of governance which includes protecting the vulnerable and giving voice to those who cannot easily speak for themselves.
“As we build roads, bridges, and infrastructure, we must also invest in the welfare of our people.” Oborevwori said.
“True governance is not just about physical projects but about touching lives and giving hope.”
Watchers of Delta State would know that Oborevwori is humbly fixing the state on all fronts, with simultaneous projects springing up all over. His government has reached more than 260,000 Deltans through various social investment programmes. Traders, artisans, women, and young people have been empowered in ways that boost both livelihoods and local economies. Civil servants who had waited years for their promotion arrears witnessed the payment approval of N5.5bn, bringing renewed morale to the public sector. Also, more than 60,000 undergraduates have received state bursaries worth more than N1bn.
In terms of providing physical infrastructure, Oborevwori has done and is doing well. As it stands, he is focused on connecting all parts of the state with good and motorable roads. While flyovers have been constructed to ease traffic congestion around Asaba, Effurun and Warri, the present star in terms of road construction would be the completion of the Asaba/Ughelli Dual Carriage Way. The road alone is knitting communities together across the state.
In the education sector, Oborevwori has advanced the construction of new colleges of health technology and expanded the health sciences campus in Ozoro, ensuring the state is not just treating illness today but training professionals for tomorrow. In healthcare, his administration has invested in diagnostic and treatment equipment — MRI scanners, dialysis units, and other essential facilities — that give Deltans access to services that were once far beyond their reach. These choices show foresight, laying the foundation for long-term transformation.
His record so far suggests that Delta State is in excellent hands, and that, in him, the people have found not only a governor but a leader committed to building a future where dignity and opportunity are guaranteed for all. That the governor’s achievements have not gone unnoticed is evident as media organisations such as Silverbird, ThisDay, Arise, and Vanguard have bestowed awards that recognise both his infrastructural strides and his human capital development.
In truth, what sets Oborevwori apart is not just the number of projects he has undertaken but the philosophy that guides him. His MORE Agenda – Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security – was once a campaign promise. Today, it has evolved into a lived reality for thousands of Deltans. That is what good governance looks like.
