Sir (Chief) Tom Amioku on Sunday held special thanks giving mass service and reception to celebrate his appointment as Commissioner representing Delta State on the governing board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at St Williams Catholic Church, Orerokpe, Ethiope-East Local Government Area, Delta State. The Publisher of URHOBOTODAY an online medium, OGHENEKEVWE LABA who was on ground to monitor the event attended by ‘Cream dela Cream’ of the society did not only give a vivid account of the celebration, he also presented colourful pictures of the event which is describe as first of its kind in Delta State
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The special thanks giving service and reception event that took place on Sunday at Orerokpe in Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State to mark Sir (Chief) Tom Amioku(JP) appointment as Commissioner representing Delta State on the governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will linger on in the memory of residents of the community and those who were opportuned to be part of the celebration, while those who by one commitment or the other absent themselves from occasion will no doubt regret missing an epoch event.

It is a day that will go into the history book of Delta State in general and Okpe community in particular for posterity to consume. Besides, it will not be an over statement or rather an exaggeration to postulate that in the history of Orerokpe such personalities like those that converge in the community last Sunday has never come together in any occasion in the town. Name it, the personalities ranges from representative of Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who was avoidably absent due to official assignment, Delta State Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama, Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon) Peter Owosanya, Representative of Ijaw Leader and Former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, traditional rulers, Senators, members of House Representatives and Commissioners among others.

In short, the lists of attendees are endless. No festive period in the community has ever witnessed such an unprecedented crowd. They all came to celebrate with one of their own, Sir (Chief Tom Amioku for adding another laurels to his chains of appointments.

In as much as Delta State is concerned, Amioku deserves such honour because he is a big fish in a large pond. The career path and work experience of Amioku who had a second Master degree in Business Administration spanned the teaching profession to corporate experience, management consultancy and governance. He had his first public appointment in 1990 -1991, when the then government of Delta State appointed him as a full time member of Okpe Local Government Council management committee a position he occupied for a year.

He was a member of Chief James Ibori Transition Committee in 1999 before he was subsequently appointed as Civil Commissioner in James Ibori led administration firstly from 1999-2003 and again from 2003 to 2007. He distinguished himself as an amiable, simple and great achiever throughout his eight years of his meritorious service as a civil commissioner in Delta State. First as a Special Duty Commissioner from1999 to 2001, pioneer Commissioner in the then newly created Ministry of Power and Energy from 2001 to 2003 and as Commissioner for Works, a position he held until March 2007 when the erstwhile cabinet was dissolved.

In furtherance to his service to the state, Tom Amioku was appointed by the Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan led administration in Delta State as Chairman of Delta Transport Service Limited, a position he held until March 2011 when he was nominated by Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan to President Goodluck Jonathan who appointed him as a member of Governing Board of NDDC on the December 16th, 22013.

Besides, the aforementioned appointments, Amioku who had received several recognitions and awards for service to humanity, social and traditional institutions among others is also a founding member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1998 where he held several party positions and carried out several assignments for the party. He is currently Delta State PDP Vice Chairman and Chairman of the party in Delta Central Senatorial District.

No wonder when Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama while delivering his speech after the mass service described Tom Amioku as a hard working man who had been consistent as the Northern star, adding that he was not surprise that he had moved from one job to another because of his hard working attitude.

According to the Deputy Governor, “I get to know Amioku sixteen years ago. Since then he had been consistent as Northern star. He is hard a working man. I am not surprise that he had moved from one job to another because of his hard working character. My advise to him is that in his four years in NDDC he shouls cooperate the Chairman of NDDC. He will enjoy him. Please love him and bring the very best to us.”

In his goodwill message, elated traditional ruler of Okpe Kingdom, The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhue 1 described the Amiokus as religious family who have been doing all night vigil service at the St Williams Catholic Church, Orerokpe knowing full well that the blessing of God is coming their way.

“If God blesses my subject, I am blessed. Every morning, I prayed for all my subjects before myself. Today, God has blessed one of my subjects as representative in NDDC. My advice to Amioku is that God has no limit of blessing. Do not limit yourself in encouraging the work of God. God will continue to bless you,” He prayed.

While delivering his sermon earlier on, the Parish Priest of St Williams Church, Orerokpe, Rev. Fr (Dr) Anthony Mario-Ozele prayed for the grace of God to be with Tom Amioku and his family, adding that his enemies will live at peace with him.
“Prevailing grace will go ahead of him. On behalf of the people, we want to say thank you to God for blessing you with a woman who when you are hot, she is cold. We thanked Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Deputy Professor Amos Utuama for choosing our brother to represent the state at the Board of NDDC. We thank God that this humble Urhobo son has been tapped. He is capable of sustaining the Federal Government effort of developmental space. But I say the space of development need to be quickened so that the people can benefit. I challenge all of you to use the opportunity God has giving you to serve the people and not your personal interest. I charge you Amioku to rise and realize the importance of what God has called you to do for humanity. Work to effect changes where and when necessary. You must put time for every chance. We all rejoice with you,” he stated.

The leadership of Urhobo Political Congress (UPC), under the Chairmanship of former Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Obarisi (Barr.) Ovie Omo-Agege rejoice with Tom Amioku on his thanks giving service to God for his blessing upon his family especially on his appointment as Commissioner representing Delta State on the governing board of NDDC.

The group also expressed its gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan and Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for the appointment of Amioku.
Omo-Agege personally expressed his joy and gratitude to Amioku on his appointment saying, ”My family and I is happy to associate with you in this great moment of joy as we all thanked God for his rare privilege of your appointment as NDDC Commissioner representing Delta State. Over the years, you distinguished yourself as an astute politician, administrator and community leader. We pray that God should guide and promote you more to greater height.”
In his remark, Amioku filled with joy, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve at the board of NDDC, saying the President’s transformational programme has transformed him.
“ I thank his Royal Majesty, Orodje of Okpe, HRM Orhue 1, for all that he has said. I want to Thank God for being there for us. I want to thank the priest Rev. Fr.(Dr) Anthony Mario-Ozele for giving us the opportunity to be here. I want to specially appreciate the President for his transformational programme has transformed me. I want to thank Uduaghan for nominating me. I want to specially thank all that has come here today to rejoice with us,” he said.