EDO CENTRAL: PDP candidate endorses APC Senatorial candidate in Edo Central with profound reasons

EKPOMA-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for House of Representatives representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Constituency of Edo State, may have given tacit approval to the candidacy of Hon. John OSAGIE INEGBEDION of APC for SENATE representing Edo Central.

The PDP candidate who is himself a candidate for re-election was apparently reacting to a profound campaign statement made by Dr. Unuokpa Ebare who stated that;

_"If you are absent from the Edo State political Kitchen, You Lose!.

"2019 is a year of Esan Emancipation. The fact of the matter is that for Esan to enjoy all her rights in the scheme of things in Edo State, we must have the Senator, the HOR and a significant majority of state HOA members in Edo State in the rulling party, APC. 

"Politics is not a place for Father Christmas or Moral Instructions. Politics is Participating. If you are absent from the kitchen, you lose. No sentiment. If you know, you know. QED." DR Ebare declared.

Reacting to the above statement, Hon Edionwele concurred that the Esan people need to be grafted back into the mainstream politics of Edo State by participating in the politics actively.

In his words in the press notice on PVC collections;

"We do not have government by majority only. We have government by the majority who participate"-Chief Edionwele.

When interviewed for comment, Dr Unuokpa Ebare stated that

"The statement from Hon. Joe Edionwele proves that Esan must participate in the mainstream politics of Edo State and that remaining in the opposition do us no good and grafting to the ruling party, APC, in Edo State and coming out enmass according to Hon. Edionwele would surely do us good"

In similar reactions, The John Osagie INEGBEDION Network aka JOIN MOVEMENT has stated that APC would sweep Esanland clean and make John INEGBEDION elected as Edo central next senator but the PDP argued contrarily that they would battle to the last. We will keep you posted as the battle for Esanland rages.

PROFILE OF JOHN OSAGIE INEGBEDION.

John Osagie Inegbedion is from Igueben local government in Edo Sate and was born in July, 1972 into the Inegbedion family. He is happily married and blessed with four lovely Children.

Qualifications Dates:

Duro Oye-Doyin Primary School Ijesha-Tedo, Lagos.

Primary School Leaving Certificate 1979 -1985.

Ijesha-Tedo Boys Secondary Ijesha- Tedo, Lagos ..

Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSCE) 1985 - 1989.

Ambrose Alli University (Edo State):
BSc Accounting (Second Class Upper Div.) 1990 -1995.

University of Benin:
Masters in Banking and Finance 2005.

Professional Qualifications Dates:

• Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA).
•  Fellow of the Institute of Finance & Control of Nigeria (FIFCN).
•  Fellow Institute of Government Research & Leadership Technology.
• Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria .

Academic Awards & Honours Dates:

• Best Graduating Student Dept. of Accounting, Edo State University 1995.
• Best Student in Intr. to Bus. Methods Ijesha-Tedo Boy School, Lagos 1989.
• Award of Excellence by Ambrose Alli University Alumni Assoc. 2010.
• Award of Excellence by Niger Delta Student 2011.
• Award of Excellence by AAU Accounting Students Association 2012.

His primary and secondary school education were in Lagos from 1979 to 1989. Thereafter, he gained admission into the then Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State) in 1990 where he studied Accounting.  John graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree with second class upper division.

In 1996, He served the nation under the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in Takum in Taraba as a school teacher. During this period, John had the first-level opportunity to contribute his quota to nation building in various capacities.

His love for Accounting, finance & management were key factors that endeared him to study a Master degree in Banking & Finance at the University of Benin in the year 2005.

Prior to his appointment as the Commissioner of Finance in 2009; a position that he currently hold till date, John had an exciting career in the banking industry where he served in various capacities at Standard Trust Bank Ltd (now United Bank for Africa), Oceanic Bank International (now Eco Bank), Bond Bank Limited (now Skye Bank PLC) and Skye Bank PLC.

He is a technocrat and a professional with vast experience in all facet of finance from operations to marketing and sales, investor relations, team building, leadership and business development in general.

Adding to the success achieved in the private sector; John has contributed immensely in the last 10 years to the development of Edo State and the nation at large. He is a member of the Commissioner of Finance (COF) Forum at national level and a front line executive in resources management in Edo Sate.

As Chairman of the Commissioner of Finance forum, John was able to bring to national focus the infamous petroleum subsidy fraud as he consistently queried the rationale for subsidy deductions which rose at a geometric pace at the time without adequate controls.

This culminated to a major national discuss which led to the formation of various committees by the government to investigate and re-engineer the process of subsidy payment.

He is the longest serving Commissioner of Finance in Edo state and probably the country at large; holding his position for two tenures (that is, during the first and second term of Ex- Governor Adams Oshiomhole) while the third term is currently ongoing with Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state. There is no gain-saying that his level headedness, Competence, Integrity and professionalism are major factors that has helped him retained this position.

Leveraging on his background as a Chartered Accountant and an astute Banker; John has consistently ensured that the state financial dealings are published on a yearly basis and in the last three years, Edo State has maintained the lead as the first state that published her financials coming from the backdrop of a state that couldn’t produced financial statement for 6 years (that is, between 2002 & 2008).

Notable to mention are the sound financial / fiscal reforms, accountability and transparency implemented by John which has seen the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State grow from an average of N250million to  N2billion monthly.

Based on the aforementioned; the World Bank (WB) took interest in the state and John as the COF was also to hold constructive engagement that enabled the state benefit from the WB rare lending window. With this, the sum of US$225million was availed by WB to the state for direct budget support out of which tranche disbursement of $150million has been disbursed and made availed to finance various developmental projects.

As an experienced Commissioner and a core member of the current administration.  John Osagie Inegbedion is a part of the various teams in the state that are pushing boundaries for economic prosperity. Some of the initiatives that are currently being implemented are; the $500m Benin River Port, Benin Industrial Park, Edo modular Refinery etc.

John has exceptional entrepreneurial & inter-personal skills which are shown in his day-to-day engagement with all and sundry. These are contributory factors that have enable him retain his position in government for the last 10 years. Notable to mention is his role as the COF in Edo Sate are:

 Formulation of the Edo State Economic Development Framework 2010-2020 which introduced the culture of strategy, dialogue and retreats in planning.

 Capital Raise – Led, arranged and secured the $225 million concessionary rates development loan from the World Bank which has been a major funding and stimulus for the current infrastructure development initiatives in the state.

 Capital Raise - N25 Billion infrastructure development Bond from the Nigerian capital market in 2010.

 Hosting successfully sector-based economic summits and policy dialogue series including the power round table in 2010, Education round table in 2011 and 2012  Agribusiness round table.

 Secured funding for the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) projects worth over $350m aimed at financing developmental projects.

 Managed both local and international engagement / funding for Long term and capital intensive projects for the State- Power, Refinery, Industrial Park, Roads etc.

|CORE COMPETENCES|

Portfolio Management | Capital Raising | Business Development | Investor Relations | Commercial & SME Banking | Team building & Leadership | Corporate Culture Change | Banking Operations | Transaction Banking | Regulatory Compliance & | Treasury Services| Relationship Management.

Employment History Dates: 

-Work Experience in the Banking Industry – 1997 to 2009.

• Standard Trust Bank Limited 1997 – 2001.
• Head of Operations & Customer Service Manager (Warri, Delta State)
• Oceanic Bank International 2001 - 2004.
• Head Credit & Marketing – (Warri, Delta State)
• Bond Bank Limited 2004- 2006.
• Head Credit & Marketing – (Benin City, Edo State)
• Skye Bank Plc 2008- 2009 .
• Senior Manager (Area Manager Benin City, Edo State).
• Honorable Commissioner of Finance (Edo State) 2009 to date .

Originating and executing profitable transactions for retail and commercial customers which include Trade Finance (importation and local purchase) of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), using risk hedging instruments such as Letters of Credit (LC), Bank Guarantee (BG), Performance Bonds, Payment Guarantees etc.

 Asset & working capital finance to provide cutting edge advantage and economies of scale for customers.

 Product paper design and implementation in line with set standards to meet financing needs for services companies, contractors, suppliers and trading companies.

 Creating quality risk asset to meet the Banks income target through structuring credit facilities for specialized companies and ensuring timely liquidation of same.

 Deal origination, execution and documentation in line with the Bank and regulatory standards.

 Set Market, business development agenda and directions for specific regions (Edo & Delta).

 Marketing the cocktail of different products available to enable customers review available investment options.

 Advising customers on the most appropriate investment for their funds depending on their line of business. This includes profitability and risk analysis.

 Generating cost effective deposit mix to enhance the Banks operating efficiency and profitability.

 Weekly and Monthly review/reconciliation of the group’s balance sheet for quality assurance and monthly performance measurement to reflect actual performance in line with set targets.

 Identifying business opportunities in strategic territories to market the Banks consumer products.

 Define market plan and create measures to accommodate customer’s needs while building and maintaining successful business relationships.

 Secured loans for low-end commercial customers to meet their short-term needs while producing incremental interest income for Bank.

Work Experience in Public Service – 

Honourable Comm. Of Finance, Edo State; 2009 to date:
John Osagie Inegbedion is a three time Commissioner of Finance (COF) for  10 years in Edo State; groomed with exceptional skills in finance, management and leadership. He has served in various capacities in the state and his role and responsibilities are pivot to the various developmental projects that have been achieved within and outside the state.

Some of his core functions as the state COF include:

Revenue Generation, expenditure control, funds management, capital raising (debt and/or equity), Investor relations, state master plan, advisory and port-folio management. Notable to mention are the various the various committees that he is part of:

•  Chairman State Tenders (Former Member 2009 to 2016).
•  Member (Former Chairman Commissioners Of Finance Forum May 2015 to Nov 2016). Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).
•  Member FAAC Post Mortem Committee Representing South-South Region.
•  Member Edo State Executive Council.
•  Member Edo State Economic Team.
•  Vice Chairman Edo State Task-force on Revenue Generation.
•  Vice Chairman Edo State Tax Assessment Review Committee (TARC).
•  Member State Budget Planning Committee.
•  Member World Bank SEEFOR Projects Steering Committee.
•  Member NACOFED Planning Committee Representing South-South.
•  Member FAAC Special Task-force on NNPC Reconciliation.
•  Chairman Commissioners of Finance Forum (May 2014 To Nov 2016).
•  Treasurer Commissioners Of Finance Forum (Oct 2011 To May 2014).

Trainings:

 Basic human relation management and interpersonal relationship in work place.
 Basic credit analysis and evaluation –Austo and co
 Professional Selling Skills- konsultserve mgt. development.
 Customer service Improvement
 Financial crimes and money laundering- Aglat consult Nigeria limited.
 Finance & Credit Analysis
 Trade Finance
 Team, Leadership & Project Management
 Private Equity Strategy in Emerging Market
 KYC, Customer Due Diligence and Money Laundry

Research work & Interest:

As part of the requirement to secure his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting; his research work was centred on “Budgeting as a means of achieving financial objectives in an organisation”. The knowledge learnt from this exercise has contributed immensely in his current role as COF in the State. John is fun to be with and his personal interest include; networking, reading, playing scrabble & watching football.

Clarion Call - To represent Edo Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly:

The call to represent Edo Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly is borne out of the desire of the populace in the region for better representation at the centre stage.
Hence, leveraging on John Osagie Inegbedion experience in both the Private and Public sectors are his veritable tools that will help in changing the narrative and deliver the much needed sustainable growth & development in the district. With this in mind, we therefore call for support from all well-meaning indigenes and stakeholders within and outside the state in the upcoming elections as official Edo Central Senatorial candidate for the Senate under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hon. John Osagie Inegbedion
Hon. COF, Edo State
Nigeria

PRESS RELEASE. Re - Attack On Governor Obaseki

Gov Obaseki

It has come to our notice, the Chief Francis Inegbeneki Support Group, (FISG), about a grand plan by some All Progressives Congress, (APC), Leaders and  Government officers in Edo state, of a  plan to maliciously frame up our Leader,  (Chief Francis Inegbeneki), in a cunning way to pitch him against the Governor with the aim to keep him out from contesting the forth coming election having recognised the incontrovertible fact that Chief Inegbeniki is certainly the most popular Esan man for Senatorial contest in 2019.

We condemn in totality the cleverly scripted but pointless plan by the leaders and their accomplices who do not want the progress  of our great party and of Esanland.

We state categorically that Chief Francis Inegbeneki is a law abiding citizen and a faithful member of our party, the APC.

We are surprised, and disturbed, that those who are in the party as spies and can not give the party the votes are the so called Leaders looking for ways to disrupt our efforts.

We appeal to our National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the Governor of Edo State, Dr Godwin Obaseki, and all well meaning party stakeholders to please use their good offices to intervane in this matter.

The Francis Inegbeneki Group, (FISG), totally condemn the attack on the Governor and his entourage at IRRUA by some miscreants who hijacked the peaceful protest by the Youth of Edo Central Senatorial District.

We hearby appeal to party members to ensure that our imminent party primaries is conducted peacefully without crisis.

We also call on the Leaders and the National Chairman, to please adopt the Direct Primaries option in our Constitution, so that the People can elect their representative to the various positions from the State House of Assembly to the National positions. We need popular candidates who can not only win the election for the party but also help in garnering more votes to deliver the Presidential election for the Party.

We humbly call on the Nigerian Police to fish out those miscreants who may have been hired to soil our amiable leader's name by attacking the Governor.

Once again we beg everyone member of  our great party to let Peace reign.

Signed.

Evans Ilozobhie
(President)
For: Francis Inegbeneki Support Group, (FISG)

Politics: Esan West Local Government Chairmanship Aspirant, Kelly O. Udebhulu, talks tough.

Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu

EKPOMA-Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu is a young vibrant chieftain of the All Progressives Party (APC) in Edo state. He is from UROHI (ward 8 ) in Esan west local government of Edo state who has not be able to produce the council's chairman since the creation of the council. He plans to contest the forthcoming local government council's elections in the state. In this interview, the illustrious son of Ohon, Urohi speaks on his experience in the last general and governorship elections in Nigeria, the proposed primary and other issues.

How would the APC leaders in Esan west local government and Edo state in general manage the crowd of aspirants that have shown interest in the ticket?

We are from one family of APC. Our leaders are experienced personalities that have seen the black and white of politics. All of us (aspirants) submit ourselves to the process, and for me, if you submit yourself to a process, you have to abide with the outcome of that process. Who ever the party process chooses, all others would support for the final election.

What particular lesson did you take away from the experience of 2015 and 2016?

Thank you for this question. I was with Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki as media icon during the senatorial campaigns and election. The major lesson that I took away from the election is that, on the last day, particularly on the day of election, you need a core of dedicated people to serve, whether as agents or representatives, or to do things for you. You cannot afford to leave that important aspect of electioneering in the hands of people who are not committed to your cause or the party. Pathetically, people are simply after money. When you have people who are more or less traders, then you are in trouble. So, on my election, we would go ahead to get people who believe in our cause. Any dedicated party man would be willing to sacrifice anything for the success of his party. That is one particular lesson that I have learnt, that you don’t go around with people who don’t believe in your cause.

...to be continued.

Breaking News! Fulani herdsmen Attack Urohi community in Esan west local government.

Kelly O. Udebhulu reports.

EKPOMA-Today, 26th November, 2017, the fulani herdsmen completely blocked the road leading to Urohi community from Ekpoma, the local government headquarter, robbing all motorists and bike riders. These attacks have become a daily occurrence that the people of Urohi now sleep with both eyes open.

In the months of June and July, 2017, there were series of attacks on Urohi community by Fulani herdsmen. These attacks came on the heels of bloody invasions and killings in Esan west local government where several residents were killed and several others were raped and farmlands destroyed by the marauding herdsmen.

Sadly, the invasion of these hitherto peaceful community have continued unabated despite the outcry that trailed the unprovoked invasions and attacks. Today, majority of the inhabitants of Urohi community in Esan west local government have become refugees in their own land, abandoning their large scale farming activities which the people are known for.

Unfortunately, the people have also been abandoned to their fate by the government.
From Urohi to Egoro Naoka, Uhiele to Urohi, it’s the same sad story of bloodletting and devastation that has left hundreds killed, property destroyed, and farmland and food barns razed. The developments have also affected farming activities in the local government. Most farmlands have been deserted.

Regrettably, the blood thirsty herdsmen have now bared their taste for blood on Urohi community unabated, a community regarded as the food baskets of the state. They are known for their massive production of yam tubers, pineapples and grains sold across the country, but with the attacks the economic fortune of Esan west local government and Edo state in general is heading for the rocks.
Surprisingly, hardly has a day passed now without reported cases of invasions and killings in Urohi particularly Ebute metta village in Urohi by herdsmen. According to the inhabitants of Urohi community, this ugly trend will no longer be condoned, the bad side of it is that these attackers came in with their cows from neighboring towns in disguise and unleashing mayhem on the people. The government should come to the aid of these communities to avoid these fulani herdsmen attacks daily.

President Robert Mugabe's letter to his exit appealing to black Zimbabwean citizens..... You Will Appreciate Me More When I Am Gone.

Mugabe

My fellow Zimbabweans, I am writing this letter and hope that all of you will read it and share it.

My days on this earth are numbered, But I know that once I am gone, You and your children will never forget about me.

I want you to understand that the reason I have stayed long in power, 36 years on, Is because I want to empower all of you my fellow black Zimbabweans, No other president in the entire continent of Africa has done what I have done for you, But you continue to take me for granted.

Do you know that in the whole of Africa, Zimbabweans are the only blacks who own their land? We are the only blacks who own and run means of production, We own our own companies and our own land, That is the true meaning of independence. Political and economic independence. I have fought tooth and nail my entire political life to ensure that all of you have both political and economic independence, I don’t hate white people, No, Not at all. What I hate is their thinking that they are better than us, That they can just come to our country and take our resources and our land, And tell us what to do, To that I say no, Today, I am happy that almost all the land is in black hands.

It's up to you to use the education I gave you to develop the land so it is productive so you can feed yourself, One thing I am proud of is that I worked hard to ensure our natural resources and our land was given back to its rightful OWNERS: You the black people of Zimbabwe.

Go to other countries in Africa, Right here just across Limpopo, In South Africa, Mandela sold out and gave all the land and economy to the whites, The blacks in South Africa will be slaves to white South Africans forever, As long as land is not in the hands of its rightful owners, The Africans, The black man will continue to suffer in his own land.

The real wealth is now in your hands, I wrestled it away from the white people who came to steal it from you, Yes, The world was angry at me and punished the whole country with sanctions, But I don’t care because I know I was doing the right thing, I was empowering my people, You should take care of the land and the industries I have given you.

I did my part, The ball is now in your court, Do your part, You will remember me and appreciate me for what I have done for you when I am gone....

Your president and leader of Africa for Africans!

-Robert Gabriel Mugabe!!

Nigeria has the Resources to Grow, Tap the Human and Natural Resources Rightly–Arc. Emuan.

Arc Emuan

By OJIEVA EHIOSUN.

Architect (Dr) Austin Ilenre Emuan, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party during the 2016 election in Edo State. He spoke with OJIEVA EHIOSUN on sundry issues.

Excerpts…

How would you rate the performance of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, now that it is a year since he came to power?

The journey so far with Obaseki had been smooth. His government is poised in the right direction and it is obvious that he is also defining the right paths that will gravitate Edo State towards the aspirations of our people. However, one year into the tenure of four years might be premature to judge him. My consolation is in the fact that Obaseki is capable of taking Edo further on the path of meaningful developments, from where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, his predecessor anchored it.
Obaseki hit the ground running, the gains of which are obvious in infrastructural and general economic development. I am not surprised Edo public have already nicknamed him as the ‘Wake and See Governor’ because one moment you see a dilapidated road or infrastructure only to wake up in the morning to see a brand new one in its place. This alacrity of dispatch is commendable.

More than two years into the APC’s tenure, do you agree that Nigerians are passing through hardship as against what they experienced in the past?

Amongst the most disciplined, overboard, selfless and well-meaning Nigerians, Buhari stands out as one of the first of the firsts. To be able to advance towards our destination and aspirational goals as Nigerians, we desperately needed a man like Buhari on the rostrum of governance.

Let’s not forget so soon that we were angry about the way our patrimony was recklessly managed and this, made us hungry for a solution; hence we all supported and voted massively for him.
He has since set out to do the needful which requires making painful structural changes that must be supported by us all through deliberate attitudinal change, for the benefit of us, all. Unfortunately, Nigerians don’t seem to be ready to bear pains and make sacrifices.

We like the Jews want to go back to Egypt amidst deliverance from slavery. The earlier we realized that no one can make omelets without breaking eggs, the better for us because we cannot build a foundational economy by living on rents like in the days gone by but only through productivity whilst building strong institutions. I think this is the first lesson that the “Change” philosophy of this administration stands for. Also, President Buhari’s saying that “the change we need begins with you and I” is an undisputed fact. He cannot do it alone. Let’s support him.

APC has presided over Nigeria in the past two and half years. How long should the people wait for dividends of democracy?

I am yet to see any true gains without pains. Show me any star and I will show you his or her scars of sacrifice. Nigerians should bear the pains of strong-nation building right now, if they cherish to live a future life full of bliss. No great nation today or before was built in a day.

Nigerians should be patient with President Buhari as his Change mantra and associated policies and programs when supported, would take the country out of the woods, and relaunch it on the narrow path of greatness.

Thank God; government and economic experts uphold that the tough realities of Nigeria’s economic recessions are now giving way to recovery and prosperity. Sure, Buhari loves Nigerians but will not compromise where bitter pills have to be taken to cure the root cause of our persistent and nagging ailments.

Buhari had been criticized for spending more time attending to his health overseas, than the needs of Nigerians. Isn’t that worrisome?

Buhari is human and being a leader does not preclude him from falling ill. Indeed, it was a tough period for Nigerians, But, he was ably and effectively represented by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Nigerians must however be commended on their prayers and support for Mr. President during the trying period. Now that he is back on his feet again, I implore Nigerians to rejoice and support him in rejigging our political economy so that our resources can be administered fairly to all in accordance to the will of God.

You make reference to God. Should Nigerians just fold their arms and leave everything to God.
Definitely, God rules in the affairs of men and nations. All the sacred books, uphold that God enjoins men and nations to help themselves, and that He would bless the good works of their hands. It will be foolhardy and stupid for anyone to think that all we see and feel in nature came by accident. They are the product of a mastermind. Call HIM God, Allah, Olorun or Osalobua etc.,

HE lives and that is why we can all exist and face tomorrow. Tai Solarin was a great Nigerian patriot, though unfortunately an atheist, believed that fairness to all was a universal law demanded of us by forces of nature. That Force is God! In the times of trials, God has been very helpful to Nigerians and their leaders, as indicated by Buhari’s recovery. No doubt, God received the supplications of all Nigerians and we have him back hale and hearty.

Don’t you share the views of some pundits who postulated that the country would break up?

I believe in God and His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ and I have seen God’s hands mold individuals and nations into wonderful shapes of profound purpose. Nigerians are very good people and deserve a leader who has the fear of God to lead them. One whose leadership is not self-serving but one that is able to see leadership as the moral image of law, the civic face of order and symbol of justice.

Buhari’s falls in lines of these qualities and they propel him to fight corruption with all zest and zeal. Do not mind those prophets of doom, who see nothing good about Africans and Nigerians. If their doomsday prophecy on Nigeria’s breakup in 2015 did not come to pass, it will never.

Buhari, as impeccable as he you are saying had been accused of condoning corruption. Isnt that true?

Now, if your reference is corruption allegations leveled against his former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and others like Maina very recently, have all been test of will and I think the president has done the needful with his decisive sack of the former SGF and others.
Nigeria is not a failing state, but a state in transition. My quest to know why nations fail challenged me, so much that I had to pursue a doctorate degree in the International Relations- Business-Major in one of the American Universities and I can tell you that nations fail when they have weak and extractive institutions. Before now, we were treading that path but not anymore with the APC led government under Buhari.

Are you not disturbed that the Avengers, the deadly Niger Delta militant group is again threatening to resume the bombing of oil installations in your region?

At this era, when the global oil price is appreciating, Nigeria could do a lot with oil proceeds to address many critical areas of intervention and needs towards making life meaningful for all Nigerians.

Again, now that the scourge of climate change is devastating the world, further bombings by the militants could further imperil the immediate environment, the people and livelihood of the Niger Delta.

The South-South Professionals that I belong are always opposed to such acts of aggression and sabotage as it breeds nothing but ills. Time has come for our people to embrace economic activism and advocate peacefully on how to positively transform our economic horizon rather than otherwise.
I humbly appeal to the militants to join hands with this government to create peace that we all know sets the right stage for meaningful economic development.

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has just marked his one year on throne. Being the sponsor of the Oba of Benin Green Award, what is your view on this occasion?

I am proud to be an Edo man, I am proud of our Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare n’ Ogidigan II, and as already expressed through key media pronouncements by me and my organisations, during his coronation and the most recent anniversary, I re-affirm that our Oba is very dynamic and disposed to serving his people to bequeath an ideal Edo; a legacy much better than the one he inherited.

Remarkably, with the social- cultural reforms he has embarked upon, he is already living up to his name of Oba Ewuare (the Great) Ogidigan II, with inherent potential of surpassing the solid transformation of his predecessors. Interestingly as always, the things of God are not mistaken, as they come in due time and season.

I think it is an act of God that Oba Ewuare II and Governor Obaseki have come at such a time, when the current Edo people, just like the old Bini era of Oba Ewuare n’ Ogidigan I, through cultural revival, re-established the kingdom to greater heights, in the then African and global arena.
With the symbiotic mix of combining traditional and governmental elements to re-invent the Edo people by the duo of our present Governor and Oba, Edo is set to see history repeat itself, but with higher intensity., I encourage all Edo people to support this great opportunity to advance our dear state.