Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu
By Isaac Asabor
There is no denying the fact that not a few Edolites are aware that there is a cliché that says “Great opportunities don’t come every day, recognize and seize them with every chance you get”.
Against the backdrop of the cliché, it is expedient to say that any given State government that has been experiencing booming economy in the country today is witnessing its fortunate growth by virtue of the demonstration of good and people-oriented leadership style of leadership by those at the helm of affairs, particularly when a governor that knows his onions is at the forefront of leadership. Argued from the foregoing perspective, it goes to reason that good governance and robust economy do not prevail by accident. Rather, they occur when the electorates, in their collective wisdom and discerning electoral behavior, understand who and who is credible to be voted for at each passing electoral dispensation. Again, it can be said that the electorates were just really good at seizing great opportunities in ensuring that credible and experienced leaders were elected into offices. It suffices to say that the electorates should be able to exhibit the electoral behavior that eschews primordial sentiments and to the poll to vote for the candidate that has both the virtues, maturity and leadership skills that will take the State to the next level. They must be able to see the State as the bigger picture rather than seeing the candidacy that was sold to them as what matter most. Simply put, Edo, should matter most, and entrusted into the hands of credible candidates.
As it is today, particularly as the staccato drumbeat that is heralding the general election that is scheduled to hold on September 19, 2020 in Edo State is becoming feverish, it is expedient to say that the next governor should possess the leadership capacity to take a new approach in seeking to turnaround negative trends in law and order, security, education, agriculture and health sectors in the State. It would augur well for the state when the governor that will be at the helm of affairs at Osadebey Avenue could make bold and innovative policy interventions in key sectors in the State to unblock barriers to progress.
With its vast resources base and hardworking population, the economic outlook of Edo State should be positive as the prevailing negative trends across virtually all the sectors do not augur well for the future. It is against the foregoing view that it can be suggested that the governor expected to be at the helm of affairs in the next political dispensation should be under pressure to improve both service delivery and the quality of the State’s institutions as well as have what it takes to tackle a limited number of problems.
With Edo State’s population approximated to be 4million, it is laudable that it experienced more than a long period of sustained economic growth during the joint tenures of the former governor, Comrade Adams Oshomhole and his deputy then; Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu. It is also praiseworthy that its population then widely benefitted from what the politicians have dubbed “Dividend of Democracy”.
But presently, there is no denying the fact that the State faces some challenges that need an experienced hand to tackle. The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as in the last few years; progress in raising the living standards of the majority of the population has been extremely slow and arguably faltering. Besides, current trends in the State’s economy, law and order, Security, health, and education do not prognosticate well for either the immediate or medium-term future.
Though successive leaders have pinned their hopes for realizing the development ambitions of the State on the next significant resources investment. However, as evidenced by the slow progress made to boost the economy in the recent years, and in delivering the proverbial “Dividends of Democracy”, one may not be wrong to opine that the leadership efforts alone is insufficient to make life better for future generations of Edolites.
As the trends that would likely shape Edo’s future are being expressed in this context, it would be wrong to give the impression that nothing good has happened in the last few years. However, more need to be done.
For more to be done, an aspirant that has what it takes to turn Edo around in all its ramifications need to be voted for, come September 19, 2020. It is an opportunity that should not be bungled.
At this juncture, it is pragmatic to ask, “Who is the candidate you think has what it takes to turn the Edo’s economy around?” To my view in this context, it is no other aspirant than Dr. Odubu. The reason for choosing him cannot be farfetched as his background and credentials are commensurate with the task.
Odubu is unquestionably regarded in the state as a man with the needed experience to turnaround the economy having being part of the administration that brought the dividends of democracy to the state.
Without sounding hyperbolical, his years of experience in government so far spanned over a decade, as a trained political scientist and lawyer, he is in a good stead to do the greatest good to the greatest number of people in the state.
His training as a political scientist and a lawyer has uniquely equipped him to embrace modern leadership techniques and organizational skills.
That virtually all the sectors in the State are not satisfactorily being developed cannot be said to be erroneous. To this, the former deputy governor has what it takes to take actions towards boosting every sector of the State’s economy, and make them better than they were.
In describing Odubu’s virtue and leadership qualities, Mr. John Maiyaki in an article titled, “Odubu’s uncommon leadership Acumen: My takeaway from Pastor’s Home coming”, and published in the Vanguard newspaper of December 14, 2019, wrote “Dr. Pius Odubu, NDDC Chairman and Okakuo 1 of the universe. In him, we see a man who has shown rare courage in times of fear and despair, patience in the pursuit of accomplishments, selflessness when selfish opportunities present itself, and elevation of the common good above all, even personal comfort. Godwin Obaseki, by virtue of winning an election, may be the governor of Edo State but in the strict terms of leadership which requires forbearance, maturity and unwavering loyalty, he cannot be considered a leader. In this regard, he has a lot to learn, provided he can humble himself, from true leaders like Dr. Pius Odubu who for years have shown us all that ambitions can in fact be tempered by good judgment, perseverance and the understanding that the essence of life is in the collective. No man is an island and no, by himself, can make big positive changes happen”.
To the view of this writer, seizing the great opportunity that is inherent in Odubu’s candidacy in the forthcoming general election in the State is what Edolites of votable age should not miss as having him as a governor in the next political dispensation in the State will augur well for Edo’s economy and her people. After all, it was Eleanor Roosevelt that says “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Without sounding panegyric, it is germane to opine that the emergence of Odubu as a gubernatorial candidate ahead of the September 19, 2020 general election in Edo State is an opportunity Edolites should sieze by voting him into power.
Sometimes opportunity knocks, and sometimes it practically ambushes us. Those moments can be pivotal in peoples’ lives. The opportunity that is inherent in Odubu’s gubernatorial candidacy is no doubt the right opportunity for Edo’s economy to shine like it did during Oshiomhole and Odubu’s joint tenures. It is important for Edolites to remember that opportunities are finite, and this opportunity presented in Odubu’s candidacy should not be bungled as it may not come again in the nearest future.
At this juncture, it is expedient to ask, “What will be that one thing that will hinder Edolites most from seizing upon this opportunity? To me, I suggest we get such hindrance behind us before the D-Day as the future betterment of Edo State far outweighs any other primordial considerations that may pose as hindrance to voting Odubu as the next Edo State governor.
