Dear Deltans,

I heartily rejoice with our muslin brothers and sisters on this solemn occasion of this year's celebration of Id-El-Fitri, one of the most important pillars of the Islamic faith in Delta State.

. In the past weeks that preceded this celebration, you have all undergone a thorough soul and spiritual cleansing through self-denial, penitence and meditation. I sincerely hope that after such sacrifices, you have been primed for a rededication to the spiritual ideals preached by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

I, therefore, implore you to allow the immense benefit of the spiritual exercise and the enduring lessons you have imbibed, lead to your being in the forefront of preaching and promoting love, harmonious co-existence tolerance and understanding. My administration will continue to accord religion, all the attention it deserves, because of its belief in its ability in fostering and deepening mutual trust, social integration, values and norms.

I urge all Deltans to sustain this high level of cordial relationship that currently exists between Muslims and Christians in the State. Both religions are founded on mutual respect, love and peaceful co-existence. As adherents, Deltans should continue to exhibit deep understanding of what they stand for and de-emphasize anything that is capable of rupturing the current peace and harmony in the State.

Permit me to use this opportunity to appeal to the political class to exhibit greater maturity and restraint in their utterances and actions, especially at this period when the State is consolidating on the gains of the past eight years of democratic governance and making necessary preparations for the forthcoming local government elections. I implore political parties and aspirants in the State to avoid doing anything capable of igniting eliminate ethnic and religious bigotry and other unpatriotic vices that hinder our progress as a nation.

As you are posted after the orientation course to the various places of your primary assignment, you are expected to accept to serve in the rural communities, because that is where your service is most needed. I want to reiterate that you should be guided by humility, exemplary and selfless conduct at all times.

In pursuance of this administration policy of meaningful people oriented programme, I want to assure you that everything will be done to ensure that your welfare needs are adequately met in the course of the service year. However, I call upon you to be dedicated to the service, and assist in contributing to the development of the State, in whatever role you find yourself

The State Government has continued to motivate and honour outstanding corps members. The conferment of the State Honours Award is intended to stimulate and sustain excellence and creative abilities in corps members.

It is my hope and that of Deltans that the one year of your national service in Delta State should become the finest page of your life story, whenever, you wish to write it in the years ahead.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my 'honour and pleasure to swear-in the 2007 Batch "B" Corp Members to the Glory of God and people of Delta State.

Thank you and God bless us all. Amen.

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
ASABA.

OCTOBER. 2007.