2015-2022
Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa was born on the 8th Of July, 1959 at Owa-Alero in the present Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State. He had his early education at the Iroro primary school, Owa-Alero and later attended the famous Edo College, Benin City between 1970 and 1976. He graduated with the second best result in the Higher School Certificate Examination in the then Bendel State in 1976.
Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Ibadan to study Medicine and Surgery, where he graduated in 1981 with MBBS, at the record age of 22. Upon completion of the National Youth Service Corps in 1982; he worked briefly with the defunct Bendel State Hospitals Management Board as a Medical Officer before he went into private practice as Director, Victory Medical Centre, Igbanke in 1986. He went on to open another branch at Boji-Boji, Owa.
Dr. Okowa’s humanitarian and philanthropic disposition over the years endeared him to his people as he often rendered free medical services to the poor in his community. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa displays highly developed craftsmanship in his approach to work and challenges and this is evident in his constructive leadership and in his growing political profile.
1991 – Served as Secretary to Ika Local Government Area.
1993 – Served as Chairman Ika North East Local Government Council.
1999 – Served as Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
2001 – Served as Honourable Commission for Water Resources Development.
2003 – Served as Honourable Commissioner for Health.
2007 – Served as Secretary to Delta State Government.
2011 – Served as a Senator from Delta North Senatorial district
2015 – Served as the Executive Governor Of Delta State till May 29, 2023
Delta State Secretariat Asaba
Delta State International Airport Asaba
The story of Governor Ifeanyi ArthurOkowa is an enchanting epic. Born on Wednesday, July 8, 1959, at Owa-Alero, in Ika NorthEast Local Government Area of Delta State, he proved from origin, a destiny child of prodigious wit,
tenacity, and integrity, blessed with
ornate intelligence and spell-binding foresight. He had his elementary education at Iroro Primary School, Owa-Alero from 1965 to 1969 and secondary education at the famous Edo College, Benin-city where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1974 and Higher School Certificate, in 1976.
An exceptionally brilliant student, he got the second-best result in the Higher School Certificate Examination in the defunct Bendel State.Okowa subsequently attended the University of Ibadan, where he studied Medicine and Surgery and graduated as a medical doctor at the age of 22, an outstanding feat, fit for the genius.
From 1981 to 1982, he did his internship at the Central Hospital, Benin City, and then National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Imo state serving at the Primary Health Care Department from 1982 to 1983. After service, he was immediately employed a medical officer at the Bendel State HospitalsManagement Board in 1983. He worked at General Hospital, Uromi, and Government Hospital, Igbanke. In 1986, he went into private practice as Director, of Victory Medical Centre, located at Igbanke and Boji Boji Owa. A few years later, the medical doctor launched into what would become a long-standing political career, noble in conception and eventual in trajectory. It was a fascinating journey that saw Okowa serve as
Local Government Secretary, Chairman of Council, CivilCommissioner, Secretary to DeltaState Government, and Senator until 2015 when history smiled upon him. On May 29, 2015, he was inaugurated as Executive governor of Delta State, the first of Anioma extraction to occupy this political office since the creation of the state in 1991
Those familiar with the story of Delta and its ethnic complexity would appreciate better the mountainous race, that soared Oklahoma to Eagle flight. Whether inanimate world view or cumulative vision of Delta state, his allegory is legendary, worthy of acclamation. His emergence as governor was a strong seal of approval for DeltaNorth, after a long walk towards validation of self-identity. He got re-elected in 2019 to consummate an 8-year cycle in the government house.
Governor Okowa made monumental efforts to put shine in all quarters across the state. Towns and villages, men and women, young and old have witnessed the his governance phenomenon in full measure, exemplary in Delta’s political experience. Through his novel SMART AGENDA policy thrust, which culminated in the STRONGER theme, reaching a salutary crescendo in the valedictory FINISHING STRONG focus, Okowa’s development models, sure-footed and sterling in accomplishments had changed Delta forever.
The vivid testaments are the widespread empowerment of millions of Deltans, through entrepreneurship skills, uplifting political
engagements as well as the development of social infrastructure, especially universities, secondary and primary schools, bridges, hospitals, markets, and rural and urban roads with mega drainages. His famous “ROADMASTER” appellation is a timeless tribute to his amazing track record in providing road networks stretching thousands of kilometers across Delta North, Delta Central, and Delta South senatorial districts.
His huge offerings of development, peace, and progress remain uncountable around Delta. As part of his transformational urban renewal agenda, Asaba as state capital is painted, pampered like Da Vinci’s “MonaLisa” with an iconic Prof. Chike EdozienCentral Secretariat, archetypal Leisure Park/Film Village (named after the illustrious daughter of Delta, Maryam Babangida), remodeledInternational Airport, Specialist hospital, scenic schools and roads decorated with massive drainages among other amenities pleasant to the eye. Wrapped in peace and tranquility, Asaba is now Nigeria’s new destination haven for tourists and investors
With his good breeding, matchless intellect, calm temperament, and sagacious political stature as governor, Okowa gained national visibility and recognition of mythic magnitude. He is a stabilizing figure and symbol of a new Nigeria, steeped in unity, diversity and collective enterprise towards manifest greatness.
It becomes easy to decipher his preference as Vice Presidential candidate for the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) Presidential flag-bearer, AlhajiAtiku Abubarka, in the last election.In Delta state and Nigeria in general, Governor Okowa’s foot-prints are admired, unforgettable and memorable from all quarters.
Governor Okowa Finish Strong and bid farewell to his excellent eight-year gubernatorial experience which was laced with visionary leadership, exemplary service, and integrity.
The Girls Entrepreneurship and Skills Training – Project GEST commenced in 2020 as one of the Programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Girl Child 
Entrepreneurship and Development. It is an initiative of the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration to improve the well-being and livelihood status of young women and girls between the ages of 18 and 30 while also providing economically viable alternatives to GIRLS ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SKILLS TRAINING (GEST) formal employment. It is an upgrade training for young female entrepreneurs who already have some expertise in their chosen skill area. The project provides top-notch training and starter packs as well as shop subsidies to beneficiaries. Through the 3 streams of Project GEST, a total of 1850 girls have been trained in various skill areas across the 25 LGAs in Delta State.
The training on the First Phase of the ICT-YEPtraining commenced on Monday 10th of May2021 (with an orientation session for the enlisted trainees) and ended in September 18th, 2021(with the distribution of Starter Packs item). Thedistribution of the starter packs took place in theThree (3) Senatorial Districts of the State.
The Trainees assigned to collect their starterPacks from Delta North received theirs at theUnity Hall Government House, Asaba on the24th of January 2022, while Trainees earmarked to receive in Delta Central and Delta South, gottheirs at the Governor’s office Annex, Warri onthe 26th and 28th of January 2022 respectively.
The ICT-YEP training for the second phase wasapportioned into two (2) batches of 300 and275 participants. The Training for the First Batchcommenced in 10th of May 2022 and ended in11th of September 2022, while the second Batchwhich is still ongoing started in 10th of April 2023.
Delta State Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency(DEMSMA) was established on 20th October 2014. The Agency coordinates the development of MSMEs and also provides advisory services for MSMEs in Delta State.
Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa was the first Governor across the entire country to flag–off the NGCares program on 21st September 2021 with the approval of funds and the subsequent disbursement of the first phase of operational grants to 1818 SME beneficiaries who received amounts ranging from N150,000 and N350,000to N700,000 respectively, across the State. From May 29, 2015 to May 2023 the Aagency, has trained and empowered 31,692 MSMEs in different categories.
