Asaba Airport View Estate Residents Association (AAVERA) has given awards to prominent individuals who have contributed in one way or another to the development of the community.
Among them are the Surveyor General, Delta State; Surveyor Alexander Eboka; Mr. Emmanuel Alegu; HRH Eze Godwin Okoro; Deacon Obi Emmanuel; Barr Fine Country; Mr. Henry Evezi; and Mr. Anthony Odiah.
Others are Bishop Franklyn Edafe, Chief Omaha Okeleke, Mr. Asoso Obukoadeta, Mr. Peter Igbute, Mr. Vincent Maduka, Mr. Uwen Effiong, Mr. Chris Onah, Mr. Victor Obuh, Mr. Louis Ojoughoh, Comrade Mayungbo Sunday, Late Joseph Ugbero (posthumous), and many others.
The event took place inside the estate on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Prime Suite in Okpanam, Delta State. The Airport View Estate, which is strategically located almost opposite the airport, is registered and has close to 12,000 residents and over 2000 buildings.
The awards were presented by the Board of Trustee Chairman of the estate, Mr. Maxwell Awuse, who is a Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Delta State. The award categories included Special Leadership Recognition, Special Friends/Mentors Awards, Most Inspiring Personalities Award, and others.
The event was organised by the present members of the executive board of AAVERA to honour landlords, landladies, tenants, and other residents of the estate to appreciate their efforts in moving the Airport View estate forward.
Chairman of AAVERA, Pastor Nelson Osokuo, disclosed in his remarks that recipients of these awards were selected by a 5-man committee of members who were given the assignment early this year to monitor individual contributions at the estate since its inception.
He stated in his exhortation titled “Power of Unity, Assistance, and Security Consciousness” that the topics were carefully chosen to enable us to understand the impact of togetherness, not some personal selfish interests that are detrimental to the growth of the estate.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the Delta State government to assist the estate in the area of roads, street lights and erosion menace.
According to him, the estate has been able to fix a few solar lights through donations from some individuals and good-spirited residents, doing remedial work on the road, especially on the erosion issue and still trying to manage its sanitation. However, the government has to come to its aid and assist the residents, especially in the area of road construction, erosion control, street lights and security, to make sure the estate is alive to sustain its development.
His words: “It is my humble pleasure to welcome everyone seated here to this very special meeting designed to celebrate residents and nonresidents of the estate. I thank God Almighty for making today a reality.
“The recipients may not necessarily be the very best but they did their best within the period under review to be selected. It does not also mean that others are not doing their best, but in every contest, there must be a winner. We are using this ceremony to encourage ourselves to take whatever we are doing seriously. For those found worthy of this year’s award, I say congratulations.
“This is our little way of appreciating the long-lasting friendship and mentorship. We say a big thank you for being there and for all you did back then and now. We remain forever grateful to you. The Inspiring Personalities Award is for people I will look at, and I’ll say, Yes, I still have hope. I can also be a role model for others.
“The award will continue; we are not stopping here; there are still others who deserve this noble award, and to others who are ready to help, our doors are open. We need help in the areas of road construction, erosion control, street lights, and security.” Pastor Nelson pleaded
In his contribution, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Okpanam Police Station, Samuel Yohanna, commended the residents for their unity in terms of security, promising to keep securing the entire area.
On cultism, he advised property owners to screen their tenants and watch their children carefully.
“Security is the responsibility of everybody. The government cannot do it alone. I will continue to make sure there is peace here. We shall make the area a no-go place for criminals.”
Correspondingly, Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), DSP Emmanuel Ishaya, advised residents to avoid communication gaps with security men: “We shall continue to make an impact to achieve peaceful coexistence.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Surveyor Eboka urged residents to work in unity and cooperate with relevant authorities to curb recent insecurity challenges in their area.
He expressed his apex gratitude for the award and promised to coordinate others to keep supporting the estate wherever possible.
