Okowanomics Fact Sheet No. 2, July 14, 2022.
Okowanomics Scorecard Series is a semi-monthly bulletin of fact sheets showing Governor Okowa’s landmark legacy achievements. The series is prepared by Delta State Job & Wealth Creation Bureau.
This Fact Sheet No. 2 in the Okowanomics Scorecard Series focuses on policy and institutional reforms which form the taproot of the spectacular development strides that have been achieved under the effective leadership of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, since his assumption of office on 29th May 2015.
As recap of our working definition, Okowanonics refers to Governor Okowa’s developmental philosophy and governance ideology defined by his people-centred approach, political mastery, economic prudence and social intelligence. Underlying Okowanomics is Governor Okowa’s exceptional assortment of personality and character virtues notably critical thinking, clear foresight, sound planning, effective execution, clever coordination, humility, self-discipline, people skills and executive intelligence.
By classical definition, policy and institutional reforms imply inventive changes, amendments and revisions to existing framework polices, organizations, methods and laws. Such inventive changes, amendments or revisions are aimed at predetermined development goals, objectives and targets – improvement of existing situations, creation of new and better conditions, elimination of undesirable conditions and replacement with desirable conditions.
Linking policy and programme execution to policy and institutional reforms is one of the essential ingredients of Okowanomics, consistent with the scientific tenet for policy practice. The fact that reforms were conceived, formulated and enacted, as the initial basis for execution of policies and programmes, reflects first-rate critical thinking, clear foresight and disciplined planning culture of Okowanomics. It is a truism that development outcomes become real, enduring and sustainable if and where they are built on solid, genuine and legitimate policy, legal and institutional foundations, as exemplified by Okowanomics.
This brief therefore profiles, in a tabular format, an illustrative sample of policy and institutional reforms that constitute the foundation of the outstanding Okowanomics scorecard across the various sectors, since 2015.
A Sample of Governor Okowa’s Policy and Institutional Reforms
This broad, though not exhaustive, diary of policy and institutional reforms shows that His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, is a pacesetter in development-enhancing reforms. Also, the foregoing sample of cross-sector legal instruments illustrate that the development strides achieved since 2015 are products of good intellect (good thinking).
The implication of these extant legal frameworks is that current policies and programmes are not superficial in nature. Rather they have become duly legitimized and entrenched for sustainability into the future.
Herein lies the novelty, peculiarity and robustness of the Okowanomcis scorecard (i) the outcomes and impacts are not superficial but deeply rooted in the legitimate development aspirations and desires of Deltans (ii) the policies and programmes are embedded in laws enacted by the people’s elected representatives in the Delta State House of Assembly (iii) the connection between policies, programmes and the enabling legal and institutional frameworks stands out as a typical example of good governance.
No doubt, therefore, the Okowanomics development outcomes together with their policy and institutional reform taproots demonstrate a development model that should be emulated by other states of the country and at the national level.
This Fact Sheet is prepared by Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau.