By OGBEMUDIA JAMES

Any realist in Edo state nay Nigeria must have grip with the reality that a messiah has taken over the mantle of leadership in Edo state. This is because even the blind can testify that the social and infrastructural development that has taken place in the heartbeat state in the last twenty months is unprecedented. Anyone visiting the state for the first time in the last ten years will appreciate the fact that the entire state has been turned into a huge construction site as many projects are on going, even as some had been completed and commissioned in the state. Who is this messiah? He is no any other person but the indefatigable, intelligent and diminutive former president of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole – the peoples President.

Before he became governor after a protracted election petition case November 12, 2008
Edo State the cradle of black civilization and Heart Beat of Nigeria was firmly in the grips of the PDP. Marshaled and ruled at the pleasure of one man who held the State in her tentacles. How else can one ascribe Governor Oshiomole’s account of what transpired in Abuja prelude to the accent of the Edo State house of assembly’s accent to the 2009 budget. Political and Governmental services where at this man’s beck and call. From the Governor to the cleaners in Government, the Uromi born High Chief from Esan land dishes out favors’ to his anointed.

Adams Aliu Oshiomole woke up one morning. He knew it was time to go. After sixteen months of painstaking, breathtaking struggle to reclaim his stolen mandate, the Appeal court will be delivering the final judgment that morning. It was November 11, 2008. All through the night he had barely slept, last minutes arrangements were been made to perfect a victory celebration. Adams dare not think in the opposite direction. He wouldn’t even think of a possible re run. He had good grounds to be hopeful, earlier on Thursday March 20, 2008, Justice Philip Umeadi of the Edo State elections tribunals had scored him 166,577 votes against 129,117 votes for Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor and declared him (Oshiomole) the duly elected Governor. Osunbor had appealed the Judgement but the Justice Philip Umeadi judgment was water proof and tight. Upturning the judgment would have brought a complete ridicule to the judiciary and threaten our nascent democracy. Nigeria’s all over were all watching, on that day, all Nigerians became Edo people. From Badagry to Bernin- kebbi, to the gateway town of Abeokuta, to the beautiful city of Calabar, all of Nigerian in Diaspora , watched with suspense breath as history was been made. Edo state will never be the same again.

Never has Edo state witnessed such monumental Quake, as Oshioquake is quaking up Airport roads, Sapele roads, Siluko road, Ugbowo, Akpakpava, to mention but a few. Edo State is under the surgical blade of a good and competent Specialist doctor. The asphalting, reconstruction of side drainages, surface drains, and the excavation of the Benin moat in order to Channel flood water is a water shed in the infrastructural regeneration of Edo state. Edo State under Comrade Adams Oshiomole is marching forward from GOOD TO GREAT. The rehabilitation of Akenzua street, Dawson, wire road, Obakhavbaye, Agadagudu, Oba Market junction, Uwa street, Ben- Oni road amongst others, dualization of Siluko road, reconstruction of the Constain/Isonorho road, all in the Benin metropolis is an indication of his desire to ameliorate the long sufferings of the Edo People.

The beautification and landscaping of the King square, adjourning streets and environs, is a masterstroke. The Benin king’s square can be referred to as the “square of lights”. At night, king’s square is a beauty to behold, as it’s extremely beauty depicts the urban and serene nature of the Benin metropolis. If you have not seen the musical water fountain, then you need to visit the square at night.

The acquisition of the old and popular Agidigbi house and other structures in the king’s square by the administration in an act of overriding public interest was demolished and a breathtaking edifice to house a befitting sky scrapper, shopping mall and an overhead car park is not only novel but also brilliant.

Oshioquake is indeed sweeping through Edo state. Today, the Oshiomhole administration has embarked on Operation clean schools. Otherwise dilapidated structures are been reconstructed and in some cases new structures are been put up in Public Schools. The recent commissioning of modern world-class structures at Idai College and Western Boys High School in Benin City is a testament to his commitment to revamp all dilapidating structures in schools across the state.

The Compassionate and populist leanings of Oshiomhole can be well seen in his welfares’ programs. On assumption of office 2008, the Comrade Governor banned the collection of revenue contracts by political party agents and the use of Siren in His entourage. He demonstrated he was the Chief servant of the people and the man in charge. In His words, “siren is an instrument which doesn’t add value to governance”. He went further to give N10.25 million to the victims of the 2007 flood disaster on Apostolic church road and paid a working visit to the people of Ugbe –Ebudun in Esan Central to commiserate with the victims of rainstorm disaster. He heeds the people’s call when he banned community association, land speculators from collecting development fee from would be developers, as they where constituting a severe menace to the society.

He was not done yet. He took a critical step by embarking on the civil service reforms program whereby Seniority, expertise, merit, performance and geographical spread where the only criteria in promotion and appointment of Permanent Secretaries. Oshiomhole’s love for the less privilege cannot be overemphasized as he has taken the welfare of the physically challenged as top priority. A special assistant was appointed in that regard to facilitate government’s policies. The revamping of the health sector is a cardinal focus of the Comrade Adams Oshiomole’s government. The Comrade Governor in his magnanimity and respect for the sanctity of human life has ordered that pregnant women be given free ante -natal care prior to delivery.

The renovation and re equipment of the central Hospital is worthy of note and building of new hospitals and health centres has gone a long way to improve Primary health care in Edo State. To ensure that projects are executed according to specification and completed as at when due the Peoples governor often time personally embark on inspection of these projects. Recently he embarked on inspection of projects across the state, particularly in Edo North where the governor discovered that lots of shoddy jobs where been executed by some contractors.

The governor who was visibly bitter about the poor standard of jobs being carried out by these contractors, stated that the era of mismanaging state funds was over in the state. He pointed out that his administration was not only committed to ensure that good and durable jobs were executed, said tax-payers money must being seen to be judiciously spend. This underpinned the degree of love Comrade Oshiomhole have for the good people of Edo state.

The Comrade Governors Love for the people whether in the hinterland or rural areas propelled him to embark on a very curious journey to Ofunama, an Ijaw community in Edo State long forgotten, neglected by successive governments. The state of very bad road forced him to abandon the journey on first trial after five hours of rough rides and broken down vehicles, he returned back to Benin and flew into Ofunama the following day in a helicopter provided by Areo Contractors. He was received as a hero. Today the Ofunama road and many others are undergoing massive reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Spurred by the crime wave in the state as a result of joblessness of many youth, Governor Oshiomhole decided to provide jobs for the youths. Consequently he set up the Edo Youth Empowerment Scheme (Edo YES). The scheme under the Rapid Response Agency is an icing on the cake. Several thousand Edo state youths are now gainfully employed under the agency. He did not stop there. He lifted the age-long ban placed on employment by successive government in the state. Through the state civil service, the Oshiomhole-led administration also gainfully employed hundreds of qualified Edo state indigenes. In Edo State, today, more than 10,000 Edo people have been given employment in the civil service and the Edo Yes scheme.

The economic revival of Edo State is not left out as the Sakponba Gele-Ggele seaport a strategic route to the economic stabilization of Edo State, is been rehabilitated by the Oshiomole led administration. The State owned Bendel Breweries is been rejuvenated and brought back to production capacity. The moribund and dead Edo Line has been brought back to the days of her former glory. Passengers’ now travel Edoline in style, safety and comfort. The Edo transport service was further strengthened for capacity utilization to complement the Services of Edo Line. What more would the people have asked for when the governor recently acquired over one hundred luxury buses for intra city services in the Benin metropolis to alleviate the hardship commuters in the state capital normally faced.

These are Glad tidings for the people of Edo State. The Security of the state is not left out as over 52 vehicles were handed over to the Nigerian police to combat violent crime, kidnapping and armed robbery. The Oshiomole-led administration went further to set up OPERATION THUNDER STORM a joint patrol team of the Armed forces and the police to combat crime in the State.

It is therefore not out of place to state that from a state that was in a complete infrastructural decay, Edo State is today witnessing a new socio, political and infrastructural rebirth, Urban regeneration, sanitation, empowerment, civil service reforms, beautification, rehabilitation, reconstruction, construction and development. The administration of Adams Aliyu Oshiomole has not only brought succor, but has equally put smiles on the faces of well meaning Edo people. The Edo People now lead
Today, Adams Oshiomole has performed miracles to clear our doubting minds. Oshiomhole today, is the catechism of our new political belief and the new face of politics in Edo state. An end to hopelessness, disparity, sufferings and deaths, is in sight. Oshiomhole has brought to bear Hope, Faith and revival. It has given a new meaning to politics in the state as he has brought to the knowledge of Edo people the true meaning of dividends of democracy.

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