Ehiwarior, Electrifying Delta With Youthful Energy

By Jonathan Onwuka

I was privileged to be amongst the few friends that accompanied Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, to his office as Delta State Commissioner of Power and Energy. It was a dull Wednesday morning, no thanks to the hangover of the previous night as we celebrated his swearing-in at Government Field in Agbor.

As we arrived the state-of-the-art Delta State Secretariat in Asaba, the charming Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Felicia Ohwofasa, walked elegantly with her directors to welcome her new boss and his entourage. The handover was swift. The new commissioner while promising to work harmoniously with the staff of the ministry to attain the clear-cut agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevori,the mission statement came like a thunderbolt.

His words: ” With the support of our dear Governor, we will light up the entire state.” To many, the statement is audacious coming from a young man. For some of us that understand his political pedigree, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior will walk his talk.

Jerry, as he is fondly called, who hails from Ekuku-Agbor, was born on 25th of August, 1987, though grew up in Alihami, an academic community also in Agbor.

He is naturally brilliant which ensured he was top of his classes. After obtaining his primary and secondary school certificates from Erigbe Primary School and Holy Infant International School, both in Agbor, respectively, he proceeded to the prestigious University of Benin to study Engineering, where he later won a scholarship for education support from Elf Petroleum. As expected, he graduated in flying colours and went ahead for the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps in 2014. He later returned to the same institution to obtain a Masters Degree in Telecommunications.

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The foray of Engr. Jerry Ehiwario into politics began during his years in the university when he emerged as the Secretary-General of National Association of Ika Students (NAIS) UNIBEN/UBTH Chapter. He later became President of NAIS for two consecutive terms. His period as the head of the union gave him the opportunity to horn his leadership skill. He holds an unparalleled record of being able to unite and carry everybody along which further threw him up to pilot the affairs of the National Association of Delta State Students ( NADESSTU) thereby turning the students’ body to a formidable instrument for the collective good of Delta State’s students.

Though he was involved in partisan politics while in school, he became very active out of school. His loyalty in the PDP over the years attracted the leadership of the party to appoint him Director on Students Matters in the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation in the last election.

Despite the eviable track records of this young man, he ramains an epitome of deep humility. Many say that he is humble to a fault. Another incontrovertible fact is his accessibility.

These rare qualities endeared him to his boss, the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, whom he served first as Special Assistant, and later as Senior Special Assistant on Students Affairs in his eight-year tenure. In this highly sensitive position, Jerry was able to distinguish himself in maintaining peace between the state government and the students community in Delta State. He was able to create a very cordial relationship between the students and the state government with mutual benefits.

The appointment of Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior as commissioner is like putting a round peg in a round hole. He has the uncanny trait to relate with the young and old to attain maximum results. Despite his tender disposition, when he puts his foot down, it is difficult to veer him off especially when his position is for the good of the majority.

Perhaps the dominant factor to this home-grown politician is the importance he accords God, his creator. Jerry became an ‘altar boy’ at a tender age of seven years. He considered becoming a priest after his secondary education. Jerry is a Catholic devout.

Worthy of note and emulation is his devotion to his family. This young man has very strong family values. His beautiful mother still tender him like a baby he is no longer. It is sad that his father passed on few years ago, not able to drink from the wine he brew diligently over the years. The consolation is that they will meet in heaven someday.

Jerry is blessed with a beautiful wife and three lovely children.

As for his political ascendency, it’s just begun.

Congrats, Jerry.