A prophet not acknowledged in his community
As a proud indigene of Agenebode in Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State, I’m moved to comment on what’s going on in Edo State, which now has the unenviable position of being a state in crisis. The recent crisis in Edo State is baffling. The way some people of Edo North have turned […]
As a proud indigene of Agenebode in Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State, I’m moved to comment on what’s going on in Edo State, which now has the unenviable position of being a state in crisis. The recent crisis in Edo State is baffling. The way some people of Edo North have turned against the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is unimaginable. I’m therefore writing as a concerned indigene, to express my displeasure about the perceived disrespect being shown to him,
Undoubtedly, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been a blessing to Edo North in particular, and Edo State in general. The world class Edo University in Iyamho, which began it’s first academic session in 2016, was established by him.
As a result of serious infrastructural development of the state, there was a phenomenal rate of transformation during his tenure as governor of the state. And, Benin, for the first time, began to look like a beautiful city, rather than an ancient town. Some of the roads Comrade Oshiomhole is credited to have constructed include amongst others:- Uhen – Olumoye road in Ovia North of Edo State; Irrua – Igueben road in Esanland; the bridge linking Emu and Ohordia, and a 7.5 kilometre intracity roads in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo.
Our dear Comrade Oshiomhole has also aided the appointment of many people from Edo North into important positions in the country. I recall that at a time, the Secretary to the state government was from Edo North, apart from many other political appointees.
We should ask ourselves why Comrade Oshiomhole was able to clinch the national chairmanship position of the APC after two terms as governor of Edo State. The answer is simple. He got it because of his extraordinary leadership skills, which some people might find overbearing. Let us also remember that he led the Nigeria Labour Congress for many years, and as a pragmatic leader, he summoned and showed great courage in challenging whatever brought hardship to Nigerian workers. It’s also on record that he confronted President Olusegun Obasanjo over the hike in prices of petroleum products. His tenure as a labour leader truly gladdened the hearts of Nigerian workers, and to this day, majority of the workers still rate him as the most dynamic labour leader we’ve ever had in the country.
Sadly, I find it difficult to know why some indigenes of Edo State, and Edo North in particular are castigating Comrade Oshiomhole, and making the gloomy situation in Edo State gloomier. We all know that time heals even the deepest cut, so we should be careful not to say what will be offensive and unforgivable, to other people.
It’s my prayer that things get better in Edo State, but meanwhile, we should acknowledge and give kudos to this great and illustrious son of Etsakoland ~ Comrade Adams Oshiomhole – for the good he has done for us. He truly deserves nothing short of the love and support of the people of Edo North in particular, Edo State and Nigeria at large. May God bless you Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. We urge you to keep moving and keep walking tall for us.
Princess L. Omoh Ugbodaga, writes from Lagos