Ahead of the 21st of September 2024 Governorship election in Edo State, two sons of Esanland, from the Edo central senatorial district are slugging it out. This write up is not about politics per se and it should not be politically interpreted but rather speak on the facts and capabilities of the two great men. This write up is meant to set the records straight
Dr. Asue Ighodalo
Born 64 years ago with a silver spoon to a wealthy son of Esanland who hailed from Ewohimi in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State. He enjoyed life within and outside the country. Dr. Asue Ighodalo has successfully been:
- Chairman Dangote flour mills
- Chairman Sterling Bank
- Chairman Nigeria Brewery
- Chairman Nigeria Economic Summit group
- Board member Okomu Agro Oil
- Chairman of Alaghodaro Summit, Member Economic Team Edo State Govt. 2008-2016
- Leader of Economic Team Edo State Govt. 2016 till date
Partner of Banwo & Ighodalo Law Firm
Summary:
In all the above listed work places and experiences, Dr Asue Ighodalo never reached out to his Ewohimi community or Esanland. For instance, as chairman of Sterling Bank, he never influenced any of the bank branches to either Uromi or Ekpoma, Edo State which has a University – Ambrose Alli University. For eight years in Obaseki`s government, he has been the leader of the Economic Team and yet his Ewohimi community has not felt the impact. He couldn't influence government influence construction of a road to his community. He has not been able to rehabilitate a block of building in a primary or secondary school in his community. He has not provided succour for any widow, or empowered youths. As chairman of Nigeria Brewery, he couldn't influence a major or semi major distributor to Esanland. He has no foundation, (that gives back to community) nor has he given any scholarship grant to students or paid tuition fees for any indigent child in the entire Esanland.
It is on record that Dr Asue Ighodalo has never contributed to the peace and development of Esanland apart from the paltry One hundred thousand Naira (N100,000) he once donated during the lunching of Atanakpa security outfit. If not for this election, he hardly visits his hometown. Even when he managed to visit home to inform his kinsmen that he wants to run for governorship, he came with an interpreter because he couldn’t communicate in their native Ishan language and also left that same night. For the past thirty years, Mr Asue Ighodalo has been totally disconnected from his people because of the presume fear of witches and wizards at home.
Now to Senator Monday Okpebholo aka Akpakomzia
Born 54 years ago without a silver spoon and into a humble family of a farmer from Irrua, Esan Central local government area of Edo State. At a very tender age, he lost his sister to the cold hands of death as a result of infected water from his community. He vowed as a young boy to give back to the society if God blesses him. Senator Monday Okpebholo hustled for life by himself. He left the community in search of a better life between Esanland, Abuja and Jos (Plateau State). To the glory of God, he has been blessed and has done wonderfully well not just for Esan people but the entirety of Edo State and beyond. Okpebholo established Chapman computers in 2005 and then Interweb Satcom Ltd in 2006. This was the early days of computing and internet broadband connectivity, and fortune smiled on him.
Although a private businessman, he has in the last 15 years plus become a go-to-person for succour in Esanland. The government Asue Ighodalo is currently serving as leader of the Economic Team abandoned the people. Bad roads, insecurity, the shutting down of Igueben College of Education, lack of jobs for our teeming Youths, and lack of women and youths empowerment etc. Senator Monday Okpebholo aka Akpakomiza stood in the gap and became a platform that covered and shaded the people even before venturing into politics.
Some of his personal projects in Esanland (Edo Central) before veering into politics include:
- Perimeter Fencing of Udomi Primary School Irrua
- Complete reconstruction of three (3) classroom blocks and headmaster's office at Udomi Primary School, Irrua
- Borehole at Ujabhole Community, Irrua
- Borehole at Afuda Community Irrua
- Borehole at Udomi Community Udomi, Irrua
- Borehole at Ileh Community, Ekpoma
- Borehole at Emaudo Community, Ekpoma
- Borehole at Hausa Market, Uromi
- Borehole at Idigie Community, Uromi
- Borehole at Ikekhen Community, Igueben
- Re-electrification of Idumu Iyasele Quarters Ujabhole, Uwessan
- Complete re-roofing of Idumebo town hall, Irrua
- Complete reroofing of Ukhun Grammar School, Ekpoma
- Donation of laptops/computers and free internet facilities to the first privately owned University in Edo Central, Mudiamen University, Irrua
- Provision of laptops/computers to Sabo Tiger Montessori Group of School, Irrua
- Donation of 5 sienna Security Vehicles and gadgets to Esan Security Network (Esan Atanakpa)
- Provision of Hilux Security Van to Uzea Vigilante
- Provision of Sienna Security vehicle for Uwessan Vigilante
- Provision of Sienna Security Vehicle to anti cult group, Ekpoma
- Esan indigent Students Scholarship fund for undergraduates
- Esan International Students tuition fees support programme
- Iron and steel fabrication trainee and settlement scheme (provision of welding transformers, other tools, Generating plant and set up of workshop)
- Construction of section 3 of Ujabhole- Udomi road with side drainage and asphalting
- Provision of street lights at Udomi Community, Uwessan -Irrua
- Car gift to over 30 Esan youths to empower them
- Uncountable motor bike gift to Esan youths
- WAEC enrolment for Ujabhole Grammar Sch students 2022 and other Esan Students that applied
- Influenced Building and installation of an up to date ICT equipment at Afuda Grammar School with solar plant
- Influenced Building and installation of an up to date ICT equipment at Ujabhole Grammar School
- Payments of Medical bills for indigent patients at Irrua Specialist hospital
- Earth fine grading of Ibore- Atuagbo 2022
- Earth's fine grading of Unuwazi -Uwessan Road
- Earth fine grading of Ohe-Uzea road Esan North East
- Earth fine grading of Ikekhen road, Igueben LGA
- Provision of fully air-conditioned Luxurious bus free transportation system intra Esan transport service, running on a daily basis for the last two years
This list is endless oo…..
Summary:
Truth should be said, Senator Monday Okpebholo aka Akpakomiza has reached out to the people unlike Barr Asue Ighodalo who has never. Akpakomiza has made positive impact in people’s lives. Senator Monday Okpebholo aka Akpakomiza have humane capacity to govern Edo State unlike Dr Asue Ighodalo who solely rely on speaking English grammar and subtle marketing strategy to deceive Edo state people. Politics is `give and take` and Asue Ighodalo cannot take where he has not given. Also, the Holy Bible says, “you don't give what you don't have. Sen. Monday Okpebholo aka Akpakomiza have empathy. He is simple, humane, and compassionate.
You be the Judge about these two men. Thanks, and God bless. May Edo State succeed
Comrade Ambrose Eguare writes from Abuja, Nigeria