Former Principal Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr Hilary Obioma Ibegbulem, has paid glowing tribute to former governor of Delta State and All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate for Delta North, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, describing him as an exceptional leader, statesman and patriot.
In a birthday felicitation message to Okowa, Ibegbulem said the former governor’s public life had been defined by selfless service, purposeful leadership and unwavering commitment to the progress of Delta State and Nigeria.
The message, was one of the standout tributes to Okowa, who remains a dominant figure in Delta politics and the APC’s standard-bearer for Delta North ahead of 2027. 
Ibegbulem, a long-standing political associate of the former governor, traced Okowa’s political and public service journey from his early days as Secretary to the Ika Local Government Council to his emergence as pioneer Chairman of Ika North-East Local Government Council.
He said those early responsibilities laid a strong foundation for what later became Okowa’s well-known grassroots political structure and administrative reach across Delta State.
According to him, Okowa’s subsequent appointments as Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Commissioner for Water Resources Development, and Commissioner for Health further demonstrated his administrative capacity and commitment to improving the lives of the people.
Ibegbulem also celebrated Okowa’s service as Secretary to the Delta State Government, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and later as two-term Governor of Delta State, saying his record reflected consistency, sacrifice and vision.
“Your remarkable journey in public service is a testament to dedication, integrity and excellence,” Ibegbulem said.
He stressed that from “every early service as Secretary to the defunct Ika Local Government Council” to Okowa’s service as governor, the former governor had continued to inspire confidence among supporters, admirers and the younger generation of leaders.
Ibegbulem said that as the APC Delta North senatorial candidate, Okowa had continued to exemplify courageous leadership, humility and commitment to the ideals of progressive governance.
He prayed for renewed strength, divine protection and greater wisdom for the former governor, expressing confidence that his future endeavours would bring further accomplishments and service to Delta State and Nigeria.
“May this new chapter of your life usher in greater accomplishments, enduring fulfilment and resounding victories in all your future endeavours,” he said.
He concluded by congratulating Okowa on what he described as a special milestone, praying that God would continue to preserve and elevate him as a fountain of hope, leadership and service to the nation.
