By: Douglas Ogbankwa Esq @douglasogbankwa@
It was Dr Franz Frannon the Algerian Revolutionary that posited many years ago that :
Every Generation out of relative obscurity , will discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it
History beckons in Edo State as Governor Monday Okpebholo (G M O )is sworn as the Governor of Edo State and his Deputy,Right Honourable Dennis Idahosa takes the same oath of office on the 11th of November,2024 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium,Benin City.
The First thing His Excellency should do is to build strong institutions and stop the whimsical wisp that pervaded the immediate past administration.This will attract global attention and lead to high foreign direct investment to explore the massive human and natural resources that abound in Edo State.
Governor Monday Okpebholo (G .M.O.), brings into Edo State Government House fresh vistas and trail blazing ideas A Man of few words, profound administrative acumen and tremendous respect for all , Governor Monday Okpebholo (G M.O.), treats the sweeper, the same way, he treats the Speaker.
This is one thing that is needed in Edo State at this auspicious moment. A man that has empathy, to put simply, a man that has human feelings. That feels the pulse of the people, a man that listens and indeed a man of the people.
His Excellency needs to open up new Benin City Lay outs ,with huge expanse of land in the 7 gate ways that leads in andl out of Benin . Bulldozers should head to these 7 gate ways after the furore of the swearing in and after the required purchases and documentations.
His Excellency , Governor Monday Okpebholo (G M.O.) should engage the successful and thriving Edo Diaspora population, to organise their investments, into the varied opportunities in Edo .He should regurgitate a vast security architecture to provide security for every one in a way that the Edo Diaspora Population will find Edo State attractive for investment.To this end , the Edo Diaspora Commission should be rejuvenated asap to have a coordinated approach to this aspect of state development.
It is important we have stronger documentation process of land tenure system in Edo State , so that all land should have an excision number and each community be placed in zones and each land adequately plotted with a demarcation block beacon numbers and all these captured at the Edo Geographic Information Systems.This will stop land grabbing and generate revenue for the State .The State should also strengthen the penalties against land grabbers ,as this is the biggest clog in the wheel of progress of Edo State.
Edo is the most blessed land in Nigeria. Those who ran the State before now should go and wash their eyes with water from the Ikpoba River so that they can see properly , because the boundless opportunities in Edo State is as far as the eyes can see .Edo State has huge potentials for timber and all products in the value chain , for more oil palm companies , for the production of rubber and products in the value chain .The fuana ans flora in Edo State can led to Eco Tourism, with tour guides having a field day.
Sports Development is one aspect of the Edo Spirit that should resurcitated .To this end , we should make it compulsory for all schools to organise inter house sports and for there to be a schools sports festival.We should also re-introduce the principals cup , the school sports federation and the Youth Sports Federation.The Passion of the Insurance Greats should be harnessed to build a better Bendel Insurance and revive Bendel United.
The Benin Red Sand and the Benin Silt are some of the best in the world .There are huge deposits of lime stone and bitumen in Edo State .These natural resources can reguetitate an industrial hub , if properly harnessed .
The Creative Economy in Edo State are of varied dimension.It is apparently Edo to the World .This should be used to build and show case Edo as a destination point for film making and theatre , as Edo has more locale and scenery than any other State in Nigeria in my view .We should also develop the reading and writing culture.Writers Society and Book Clubs should be encouraged.The Literary Debating and Dramatic Societies should be re-intriduced in all schools .Same for the Drug Free Club.
In Benin City, around the Utesi Axis and at Ologbo, with out any regard for the locals or local content, Some Chinese Shylocks are exporting glass , doors and tiles all around the world, raking in billions of naira monthly .The red sand in Edo can create wonders .Oben Community, off Sapele Road, Benin City and Ugha Community in Orhionmwon Local Government of Edo State, both have the largest concentrate of gas any where in Africa .There is nothing to show for this as the locals are wallowing in Poverty .The headquarters of the exploration activities of the NNPC is in Benin City. What we have is capital flight ,as people fly in and out of Benin to pick up their checks .The only money that stays in Benin ,are monies paid in hotels and lounges .Small contracts like cleaning and security are given to outsiders , while the locals that own resources rot in want .
The Ologbo Modular Refinery is the only Refinery in Nigeria with out a pre- construction MOU , Construction MOU and Post -Construction MOU.The Locals in Edo State do not take advantage of their resources. Of the about 22 Conversion Trains of the Liquid Petroleum Gas at the Modular Refinery, none belongs to Edo lites .
The Gelegele Sea Port exists only in an MOU.That is a project that is capable of turning ,Benin into a Port City, with Benin City Phase 2 being built across the Atlantic Ocean ,with resorts and beach houses .The Prospects of an International Airport in Benin City ,with the Benin Airport being expanded , will make Benin an Aviation Hub in Africa .What about the prospects of cultural tourism, with people coming from all over the world to see the Benin artefacts and even visit the revered Palace of the Oba of Benin ,the Benin Moat and the Igun Hub of Bronze Casting .
We have to move to get things right. Stop the cult killings and make our Youth to handle the surveillance contracts for oil facilities, being currently done by outsiders .It is important we engage the Youth to stop the cult killings .Setting up a local intelligence structure as was the case in those days .Engaging the Youth in productive ventures can be a panecea for the incessant cult killings.
The Youth need to unite .If they used the time , resources and might they use in killing themselves to ask for local content , they will all be millionaires.They should ask their Delta and Rivers Counterparts.
The Prospects of Edo Film Villages to be scattered all across the State , with the likes of Lancelot Imasuen ,ready to hold the Benin International Film Festival with support of State .Again , His Excellency should look at the the Creative Writing and Content Creation spectrum , to make Edo State a Creative Hub .It is important we look into establishing public parks for relaxation.
The Central Hospital should be brought back and should be better than the last .There was a reason they put it where it was. Only a living soul or being can see artefacts in a museum .There are priorities in life and if you love your people, their health should be your priority, over inanimate objects .In any case there is a national museum at ring road and there is no need for the so called Museum of West African Arts , less than 500 metres away , when His Royal Majesty Omo N’ Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo , Oba Ewuare 11,the Oba Benin is the sole custodian of the artefacts.
The obnoxious law that attempted to balkanise our great Benin Kingdom should be repealed , as from time immemorial, His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin is the only know overlord,within His Majesty ‘s Domain.
Wait for it ,with Governor Monday Okpebholo (G M.O.),it shall truly become a beautiful Edo and a glorious Edo , not the one that exists only on the Edo Sate Item.
It was Professor Alver Vince (A.V.) Dicey that said :
The vicissitudes of a capricious existence is prodigiously startling in the manner it presents itself
Douglas Ogbankwa Esq, sent this piece. You can reach him via [email protected]
Gatekeepers News is not liable for opinions expressed in this article; they’re strictly the writer’s
