Edo State is a land of great history, revered culture, and royalty. We are a people of poise, pride, gait, and mercurial wisdom. Our statecraft is embedded in our divinity which is steeped in savvy enlightenment, endowed skill, and knowhow. The average Edo state person would always hold their own anywhere and is not one to be pushed over to wallow on the field of the mundane. Ours is a land that has produced legendary dynasty of Kings, men and women of renown who deserves plaudits and accolades.
Edo State has produced outstanding leaders in all spheres of human endeavours. It is often said that ‘after God, the next most powerful force on earth is Government’. Talking about a society, another great cliche says, ‘seek ye first the kingdom of politics and every other thing shall be added unto you’. It therefore presupposes that politics and governance are a sine qua non in the evolution, development and prosperity of any nation, region, state, or community. As a sub-national government within Nigeria, nothing will work in Edo state if we get our leadership wrong. It is a sure guarantee for failure. We therefore must get it right at the level of leadership.
Since its creation as the Midwestern region, to Bendel state and now Edo state, we have been blessed with some unique transformational leaders. God bless the memory of Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, and Prof. Ambrose Folurunsho Alli who left indelible footprints in the sands of time. Their vision, mission and accomplishments remain a gold standard in our state and national history.
Governance is ‘al continuum’ hence the rapt attention on the forthcoming Edo state September 2024 Governorship elections. It is gathering momentum as eminently qualified sons and daughters of Edo state throw their hats in the race to occupy Dennis Osadebe Avenue in the bid to serve the good people of Edo state. Step in dear woman of valour and illustrious daughter of Edo State, Dr Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor, a beautiful, elegant persona, force of nature and the face of a new Edo State narrative. Loretta is a consummate intelligentsia, cerebral polyglot, amiable wife, and a loving mother. She is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist as well as Clinical Simulation expert with the National Health Service, NHS in the United Kingdom.
She horned her medical expertise at the prestigious University of Benin, Nigeria. Prior to that, Loretta attended the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Benin City, where she was Head Girl in the 1994 graduating set. Her time at FGGC Benin City ended on a high note when she made straight A’s in all her West African Examination Council (WAEC) Senior Secondary School Exams in 1994. Loretta got admitted to study Medicine at the University of Benin in 1995. As per her usual flare for excellence and leadership, she was elected Vice President of Uniben Medical Students Association, UBEMSA in 2001/2002. Following her graduation from the University of Benin Medical School, Loretta did her Houseman year at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin. She did not shy away from service to the nation and completed her National Youth Service Corps on the 6th of September 2005. Further academic laurels followed at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland where she obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health Research and another Master’s degree in Clinical Education at the Sheffield Hallam University, in England. She is currently President, University of Benin Alumni Association, UK Branch.
Loretta is an articulate, passionate, and compassionate daughter of Edo state with a high sense of purpose, drive, tenacity, and panache. Her mantra, ‘our shared humanity is the true religion’ resonates far and wide. Her effervescent charm, uncommon humility, honesty, and integrity is outstanding. Her philanthropy via the Loretta Health Initiative, LHI and the Ashanti Graham Health and Education Initiative Foundation has touched the lives of many in Edo State and the country at large. Not surprising, given that the medical field is her primary constituency. She has extended same to education and has been an untiring advocate for the Girl child empowerment, and the fight against women trafficking.
Edo state needs a generic, organic leadership come 2024. Dr Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor is offering herself to serve and not to be served. Her smart objective is the systematic re-engineering of governance. It is the total transformation of our landscape - education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, industrialisation, security, arts, culture, youths, sports, tourism and harnessing our diaspora, to mention just a few. Dr Loretta is recipient of a plethora of awards both within and outside Nigeria. She is happily married to Nigeria`s leading Neurosurgeon, Dr Douglas Okor and blessed with two lovely children. She is primed to bring her knowledge and wealth of experience to bear as Governor of Edo state in 2024. Indeed, Dr Loretta is coming….