Rising from its Tuesday plenary of July 22, 2025, the Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor led Eight Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly, announced a six week annual recess for the state legislators.
Given the development, the House adjourned plenary to Tuesday, September 2nd this year when, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is set to reconvene.
The annual recess, in the words of an Ika-born and Agbor-based retired teacher and Principal, Mr. Ngozi Edoki is imperative. Mr. Edoki, a renowned educationist in the Delta State civil service and, an accomplished economist and socio disciplinarian, in many of his unpublished philosophical statements had held that; “Rest is good after Labour”.
This, no doubt, is one of his ethical social principles which he held sacrosanct aimed at warding off laziness, upholding the principle of “dignity in labour” and knowing when and how to take some rest.
This is indeed, his daily sermon as he sings it loud with no apology to any ‘deafened’ ear.
And the sermon, akin to the Sermon on the Mount, pays off particularly for those who bothered to listen as they could strike a balance between rest and labour.
Mr Edoki’s theory as it were, undisputedly, finds credence in the words of an Indian Yoga Guru and Spiritual Leader, Ravi Shankar who, in the early 70s held that; “Wisdom is to know when to have rest, when to have activity and how much of each to have”.
Nigerian Ngozi Edoki and Indian Ravi Shankar in their separate postulations as canvassed above, underscore the import of rest amid labour.
Rest to them, allows the brain and body to slow down and engage in the process of recovery, promoting better physical and mental performance the next day and over a long term.
And that was it.
For members of the Delta State House of Assembly, embarking on a six-week recess after months of legislative ‘fireworks’ is, perhaps, justifiable.
Prior to the annual recess, the Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor led legislature had, within the period, undoubtedly, engaged in some critical legislative assignments which, among others include the repeal of the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Law 2020 and the Establishment of the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Law 2025, A bill for a law to Amend the law to Prohibit Terrorism, Cultism and the Use of Bombs, 2016 and other matter connected therewith, Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the reports of the Auditor-General (State) on the Accounts of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission DESOPADEC) for the year ended 31, December, 2024, as well as the First and second readings of several other bills which, it is understood, some are currently at the various committee stages.
Announcing the Six weeks recess at its Tuesday plenary recently, the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor said that the long recess is to enable the lawmakers fraternise with their constituents as well as strategies for the overall development of the House.
The lawmakers embarked on the long vacation following a motion moved to that effect by the leader of the House and member representing Aniocha North State Constituency, Hon Emeka Nwaobi.
The motion which was supported by the member representing Ika North-East State Constituency, Hon Marilyn Okowa-Daramola was unanimously adopted by the House following a voice vote called by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor
While urging the lawmakers to take advantage of the long vacation to fraternize with their various constituents, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor commended the legislators for their dedication and commitments to legislative matters since the commencement of the Eight Assembly in the State.
He enjoined the lawmakers to also, use the long recess to refresh themselves for enhanced legislative results upon resumption in September, this year.
He said, “I wish you well in this period of recess. It is my hope and belief that you will use this weeks of recess to fraternize with your various Constituencies for better and impactful legislation
“On this note, I want to thank you specially, my dear colleagues for being wonderful and dutiful lawmakers working tirelessly for the good of our people.
“Let me specially appreciate the Management and staff of the State Assembly for the wonderful work they have been doing for the past months.
“Let me also thank specially, the Press for the wonderful work they are doing in this Assembly. It is my wish and prayers that God will continue to bless you for the wonderful job you are doing; making our job visible to the larger public. God bless you
“Most importantly, I thank Deltans for the confidence they reposed in us as their representatives here in the State House of Assembly. We can’t thank you enough. May God bless you all” Rt. Hon. Guwor prayed.
Essentially, before embarking on the six week annual recess, the Lawmakers, after careful legislative fireworks, passed the State’s Community Security Corps Agency Bill.
The bill which sailed through third reading on the floor of the State Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, was subsequently passed following a motion moved by the leader of the House, Hon Emeka Nwaobi.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor had earlier, during plenary, called for motion suspending relevant sections of the House rule to enable the House take the third reading.
Speaking on the passage of the bill sponsored by the member representing Aniocha South State Constituency, Hon Isaac Anwuzia and 27 others, Guwor, while referencing Section 14, sub-section (2), paragraph (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered) said that: “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government
Speaking further, Guwor said, “With the successful Passage of the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Bill, 2025 we have once again demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our people. “There cannot be meaningful development without secure and safe environment.
“This Bill that has been sufficiently debated and passed is a critical step towards strengthening our community security architecture. It reflects our collective understanding of the evolving security challenges and our proactive response to ensure that every Deltan can live and work in peace.
“To the sponsors of this Bill and indeed every single Honourable Member of this House, I extend my profound appreciation.
“Your diligence, your incisive contributions during the debates and your dedication to the consideration of the Bill are truly commendable. I am optimistic that this Bill once signed into law will significantly enhance peace, order and security across all nooks and crannies of our beloved State. Once again, thank you and God bless” Guwor added.
Similarly, before the commencement of the six week recess, the lawmakers considered and passed a bill for a law to amend the Delta State 2024 Appropriation law.
The executive money bill which was read the first, second and third time at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor, was transmitted to the State Assembly by the State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
The Governor in a letter addressed to the lawmakers, sought their legislative inputs in the amendment of the draft bill.
In the proposed bill, the Governor noted that the amended Recurrent Expenditure would be N379.4 Billion and the amended Capital Expenditure would be N345.6 Billion.
He explained that despite the amendment sought, the budget size for the year ending December 2024 remains same; N724.9 Billion, adding that same appropriated figure would be channelled for the purposes specified in the law.
According to the Governor, the proposed amendment draft bill, is aimed at addressing critical areas of need in the budget.
The bill which was debated on the floor of the House, was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers following a voice vote called by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
Earlier in their debate, the lawmakers, particularly the leader of the House, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, the member representing Ndokwa West State Constituency, Hon Charles Emetulu and his Burutu 11 counterpart, Hon Oloye Pereotu, were a unanimous that the bill when passed and signed, would accelerate Infrastructural development in the State.
They commended the Governor for what they described as his administrative dexterity in forwarding the bill to the House for legislative inputs.
Meanwhile, the legislators who are already two weeks old on the annual recess are expected to reconvene on Tuesday, September 2, this year. Happy vacation to our amiable Delta Lawmakers.
