Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Friday Ovoke Warri, on Monday, July 15, 2025, marked his first year in office by detailing a range of achievements across education, agriculture, health, and security, while also empowering 55 women with N11 million in grants. Warri, who was sworn in by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori exactly one year prior, emphasised his administration's commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy.
Addressing journalists, Warri highlighted his success in resolving long-standing security challenges, including leadership tussles in Igbide and Olomoro communities and a recent herdsmen dispute in Idheze-Irri. "When this administration started, there were a lot of security challenges... by the grace of God Almighty, it has been laid to rest," he stated.
Infrastructure development was also a key focus. Warri proudly announced the rehabilitation of a long-standing bad spot on Ogbemudia Road in Oleh, now "100 percent motorable for commuters." His administration also remodelled the chairman's official residence and fixed the Irri/Oyede road, which was in "bad shape."
In the agricultural sector, Warri's administration initiated a "profitable" pilot pepper farm, which is already yielding harvests. He also noted the recommencement of work on an administrative block building abandoned for over a decade, expected to be completed in "the next couple of months."
On health, Warri confirmed his team successfully tackled a cholera outbreak in Ikpide-Irri. In education, unscheduled visits to primary schools revealed teacher absenteeism, prompting a screening process. Additionally, notebooks have been distributed to all primary schools in the local government area.
During his address, Warri also touched upon local government autonomy, acknowledging Isoko South as one of four local governments with the highest allocation, but burdened by a monthly N200 million primary school teachers' salary wage bill. He commended Governor Oborevwori for being the first state governor to submit account details to the federal government following the Supreme Court's pronouncement on local government autonomy, urging other state governors to follow suit. He appealed to the federal government to implement local government autonomy without waiting for all states.
To further demonstrate his administration's commitment to grassroots impact, Warri disbursed N200,000 each to 55 women, five from each of the 11 wards in Isoko South. This empowerment initiative, totalling N11 million, aims to boost petty trading, support economic growth, and alleviate hardship. He urged beneficiaries to "judiciously invest the funds in expanding their existing businesses rather than lavishing the financial support on non-essentials."
Warri called on all Isoko South indigenes to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's MORE Agenda.
