Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, professionally known as Ali Baba, a veteran Nigerian stand-up comedian, has advised the new Delta governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on 12 areas he should focus on as the state’s chief executive.
The 57-year-old master of ceremonies and actor advised the governor via a post on his Instagram page.
Ali Baba urged the governor to ensure the south-south state takes advantage of its natural resources for economic progress.
He wrote:
1) Delta State needs to bring Shell Back to Warri. It will trigger the economy again.
2) Delta State needs the port devoted to automobile imports and petroleum-related goods. So, instead of Cotonou, let the cars come through Warri.
3) Turn the Ibru Air Strip, Agbarha-Otor, into an international flying school.
4) Set up a Delta State University School of Creative Arts. Locate 3 campuses in Sapele, Asaba, and Ughelli. The school will be self-funding because its creative works will be the source of revenue.
5) Build a Museum of Arts, and name it after Bruce Onobrakeya. You can, through this, grow the arts, celebrate the artists, attract tourists, and create a platform to curate world-class artifacts from the state.
6) Delta State should have an International Swimming Competition, make it big like Lagos Marathon. You can get many Michael Phelps.
7) Let’s start a Delta State Royal Tournament. All the Kings will choose youths from their community to take part. This will integrate grassroots. Promote culture and develop unity.
8) Slaves were taken from Delta State. Ovie Owhe was deported to Calabar after he resisted the wicked slave trade at the time and fought against colonial masters. Let’s build the points of no return in Delta. The points were not the major shipment zones, but many were taken to the mother slave ship for onward transmission.
9) The culinary arts of the state should be promoted globally. Masterchef Australia made $20millon from advertising alone in the 2nd season. Just to cook. We dey cook fayaaaa for Delta State.
10) Organize a State-sponsored trade fair. No be those moimoi fairs wey them dey host across the country ooo.
11) Every dry cleaning business in Nigeria uses starch. Starch na San San for Delta. Why not let us commercialize 60% of our starch for industrial use and 40% for consumption?
12) The Delta State Broadcasting space needs a total creativity overhaul. BBC had a global pidgin service before Delta State. Just imagine.
