Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has received a prestigious international nomination for a top United Nations honour. The governor has been put forward for the 2026 United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA).
Nomination for Excellence in Governance
The nomination was announced by the Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI). The organisation's President, Olufemi Aduwo, stated that Governor Oborevwori was proposed for the award under the thematic area of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16. This goal focuses on promoting peace, justice, and building strong institutions.
Aduwo, who also serves as the Permanent Representative of CCDI to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), highlighted the governor's specific achievements. He pointed to Oborevwori's demonstrable efforts in several key areas that align with the award's criteria.
Key Achievements Cited for the Nomination
The CCDI's proposal details the grounds for the nomination. It credits the Delta State Governor with concrete actions that have strengthened public institutions and enhanced security for citizens.
Other notable efforts include deepening community-centred mechanisms for resolving conflicts and significantly widening access to justice across the state. The nomination statement further praised Oborevwori's record in consolidating frameworks for building peace and his prudent management of the state's finances.
Sustained investment in making institutions more resilient was also cited as a major factor. According to the CCDI, these combined actions have positioned Delta State as a model of governance worthy of global attention.
A Rigorous Global Recognition Process
Olufemi Aduwo emphasised the significance of the UNPSA, describing it as one of the world's foremost recognitions for excellence in public administration. The award selection is handled by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
The process for choosing recipients is known to be rigorous and involves multiple stages. Despite the high standards, Aduwo expressed strong confidence that Governor Oborevwori's record in office meets the required benchmarks. The award looks for high standards of integrity, innovation, transparency, and tangible societal impact in its laureates.
The nominating body, CCDI, is an international non-governmental organisation registered in both Nigeria and the United States. It holds a special consultative status with the UN's ECOSOC, lending weight to its endorsement. This nomination places Governor Oborevwori in consideration for an award that will be decided in 2026, spotlighting his administration's work on an international platform.
