TheNewsGuru

Tag: Abraham Ogbodo

  • We say amen to the Supreme Court – By Abraham Ogbodo

    We say amen to the Supreme Court – By Abraham Ogbodo

    By Abraham Ogbodo

    Every jurisdiction says Amen to the decisions of its Supreme Court. It is not going to be different in Nigeria. The reality is that BAT is the most we have in the political leadership of the country for at least the next four years. Other contenders can at best collapse into opposition leadership with a view to resetting the cart and transform from underdogs to champions in the next electoral outing in 2027.

    In the main, Nigeria shall continue to exist. As a geographic entity, it is insulated. The impact of the leadership hollowness is not on the land but on the people who appear stuck in the melee. And this is where everybody should feel concerned.

    Going forward, if there should be criticism of the Tinubu administration, it should be to keep the President on his toes. It should be for him to unlearn entrenched attitudes and come to the realisation that he cannot be comprehensive in impact operating from a parochial standpoint.

    This idea that the world or even Nigeria is not larger than his cronies in the Southwest should be discarded for good. I cannot see how broad mindedness will turn a weakness in leadership. Playing safe and refusing to venture is not a crime in itself. Rather, what is criminal is closing all other viable options just to feel safe and cool in a primordial cocoon. That is mediocrity at its worst level.

    The bigger problem is when mediocrity is not hidden but made a fundamental objective of state policy. With Tinubu, mediocrity in the name of commitment to loyalty and some fathom legacies, has been elevated to a prime strategy. This was also the issue with Tinubu’s immediate predecessor, President Mohammadu Buhari who did not see Nigeria outside Daura. Buhari’s glaring lack of acumen was not so much the problem as his refusal to understand his deficiencies and seek help outside his limited reality.

    So far, Tinubu has not cut any sharp impression. He has only successfully proved that macroeconomics does not go beyond taxation and juggling of the same factors within a box. He is not thinking outside the box probably in the hope that good life for the citizens or substantive value can be decreed into existence. His team is flat, loaded with old players that are more nostalgic than they are forward looking.

    They are people that cannot be associated with breaking frontiers in the last 20 years outside the orchestrated legacy achievements in Lagos State when Tinubu was Governor. They are in federal mix because of the desire, almost as forceful as a religious creed, of President Tinubu to reward loyalty and relegate competence. Wale Edun and Cadosso, the seeming skippers of the team were last heard when they were part of Tinubu’s team in Lagos. The duo may have been deeply overtaken by global trends and cannot be said to be perfectly cut out for the job of recovering Nigeria after the damage caused by Buhari.

    Anyhow, the frog must jump forward. Also, when what is desirable is not available, the available becomes desirable. That is where we are now. Tinubu must be forced to perform well. Good enough, all the immediate threats have been cleared. Tinubu has only himself to contend with now. He can comfortably afford to switch from the defensive to a more nationalistic mode and resolve key national issues including appointments on the side of posterity.

    Nigeria is at its lowest ebb and recovery cannot be viewed through the prism of partisan politics and the type of provincialism that has been on display so far. If for good reasons, the opposition declines participation, the least it can do is to engage the government constructively to generate ideas for nation building. We are at the precipice and it is a fearful prospect to move blindly forward with a guide that does not have the complete picture. The most advisable thing to do is to pull back and rechart the course. Tinubu on his part should eschew triumphanlism and ask for help from all sides.

  • UPU and Delta State 2023: To be or not to be – By Abraham Ogbodo

    UPU and Delta State 2023: To be or not to be – By Abraham Ogbodo

    By Abraham Ogbodo

    It is like the Urhobo have been wired to agonise instead of getting organized. Instead of seeking information and be informed, we have chosen to be impulsive and create a staccato around Delta State governorship election in 2023 with baseless commentaries. Last week, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) came out boldly to announce David Edevwie as the Urhobo’s choice in the PDP governorship primaries. Immediately after, hell was let loose as all kinds of uninformed commentaries rained down in condemnation of the UPU’s decision.

    My only quarrel with the UPU’s endorsement is that there could have been a meeting of minds and made to come after the debate by Urhobo advocacy group, *Ojar’Urhobo* , on the 2023 politics of Delta State. The debate which had been scheduled to hold on April 17 was hurriedly called off after the announcement by the UPU. That way, the UPU would have been further strengthened to act. Outside that, the endorsement remains the most assertive and audacious move by Urhobo leadership in recent times and in this season of anomie. This is not like past endorsements that were loaded with selfish motives. Every objective assessor of the intra-Urhobo contentions within the PDP for the governorship position in 2023, would agree that the endorsement is well considered. What are we actually saying? That in the line-up of PDP aspirants as it is currently, some person comes before David Edevwie in capacity and preparedness to govern Delta State? Come on, let’s be serious for once and make development to drive our politics and not the reverse.

    Now let me give a background. Last December during the UPU @90 celebrations at Uvwiamuge, Agbarho, something happened. And this is it: Governor Okowa, while responding to sundry issues raised in Olorogun Moses Taiga’s address, key of which was the need for the next Governor of the State to come from Urhobo, did specifically charge the UPU to do more and present a united front for the contest of the PDP governorship ticket in 2023. He stressed that if that was done, his hand would be strengthened to discharge any affirmative consideration in favour of Delta Central concerning who becomes the next governor of the state. This is not to say the in-house arrangement of the State PDP to rotate the governorship among the three senatorial zones has become obsolete. It is only becoming an issue because of the seeming desire of the incumbent governor, a beneficiary of the arrangement, to chart his own course.

    But Okowa’s charge to UPU at Uvwiamuge was what triggered the DC23 initiative to attempt an assessment with a view to narrowing down the colony of Urhobo governorship aspirants within the PDP. The DC23 did what it could do and settled for three names – Sheriff Oborevwori, David Edevwie and Kenneth Gbagi. I want to believe that it was from this caned list that the UPU invoked its own parameters to arrive at David Edevwie.

    Now, tell me, what more consultation was needed for the UPU to do what it did? I can however say for free that, it is neither heroism nor ingenuity to engage in deliberate mischief to lower the collective stake in anticipation of personal benefits. I mean, must the Urhobo crave and drive overboard to make a point about their republicanism, or more appropriately, bellicosity, especially when there is absolutely no point to make?

    Soon, and really very soon, we will be stranded in our cold corner and pointing with shameful envy at the glorious standing of our Itsekiri brothers and sisters. While we act like crabs, perpetually stuck in self-cancellation and less able to gain meaningful height, our brothers are like the termites, acting in concert to feed their queen and defend their colony. They deserve their place and peace.

    By our own actions and inactions, we have become so little and boxed into underdogs in a theatre where we should be roaring as champions! This is one endorsement that is not cash and carry and for me, it will not matter even if the UPU’s choice fails to fly in the end. Every good move must not end in success but must end in honour and that is even far more important. We are the same people that always accuse the UPU of inaction when action is required. In fact, the Urhobo Renaissance Society and other advocacy platforms like Ojar’Urhobo are largely operating to incite talking points that will push the UPU into doing something. The Union has shown courage for once done something most honourable.

    Truly, the events in the last few days have exposed the hollowness of some of the people parading elite status in Urhobo land. No sense of history, no sense of pride in their determination to be counted for official patronage. They have successfully painted themselves as persons who would insist on hypocritically raising the lantern in broad day light to differentiate between white and black. Shame! Why are some of us always pushed by hunger to eat in coven?

    All kinds of revisionism has been pushed into the discourse to create fraudulent premise. Some say the UPU is not “political”; whatever that means! They seem unable to tell the difference between being politically responsive and being partisan! I have asked a few persons to explain to me what exactly was on the minds of the founding fathers when they assembled at Okpara Waterside in 1931 to birth the Urhobo Brotherly Society that later became the UPU? Was it to form a group of *oghwo* / *usi* and *ukodo* eaters? For the records, the UPU was formed for the all-round liberation of the Urhobo, especially political liberation at a time the Urhobo nation was faced with existential threats from all sides and the Urhobo needed to act in self preservation. The point that the UPU had suffered morally bankrupt leadership in the recent past and had been intimidated by self-serving political actors to sleep on its role or perform same more in breach should not be pushed into mainstream thinking in Urhobo land.

    Let me not delve into deep history. The UPU under then Chief Benjamin Okumagba had even supported Ibori against Ogboru in 2003. And when the stakes changed in 2007, the same UPU, still under Chief Okumagba did not only endorse Ogboru but supported his campaigns with funding against Uduaghan. Let us be properly guided! It was good politics when the Anoima nation endorsed Senator Arthur Okowa against Uduaghan’s choice in 2015 but an abomination when the UPU does same in 2022 to push the Urhobo view point against a rampaging incumbent! I genuinely advise that Okowa, a beneficiary of justice, equity, good conscience and fairness should not be seen as acting at cross-purposes with these virtues. A man who hides behind a finger cannot claim to be comprehensively insured. Let’s also be reminded that the chest thumping of the gorilla does not make him the ruler of the jungle. The lion is there! The tiger is there! And the elephant is also there before we can even talk of submitting all powers to the Almighty!

    The UPU has not said other Urhobo sons that are in contention in the PDP scheme are not useful. It is only saying that only one governor is required and it has applied objective parameters to settle for David Edevwie. If we are questioning the parameters, it automatically becomes a point to interrogate. Otherwise, we should close ranks and push for the best for Urhobo and the state as a whole.

  • Going back home – Francis Ewherido

    Going back home – Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido

    About five years ago, the former editor of The Guardian, Abraham Ogbodo, told me he would return to his village once he retired from The Guardian. Retire to the village in your 50s? What will you be doing? Not many people do that, especially in Urhobo Land. I did not take him seriously.

    In those days, I remembered that some people who retired and relocated home died not long after and, of course, the predominant story then was that their relatives, who were witches and wizards, donated them in their coven. They were killed, cooked and eaten in the coven (please don’t ask me how). It did not matter that their deaths could just have been as a result of a change of environment or disruption in the routine the body was accustomed to for decades. So, I was wondering what Ogbodo would do to keep busy after over 30 years of active working life.

    Ogbodo kept to his words, he has since relocated to his hometown, Agbarha-Otor. His reasons for coming home were compelling. He wanted to engage in advocacy and community engagement. He felt the youths needed a new paradigm. Many of those they saw back home were people, who had nothing yesterday, and a year later, had palatial houses and fleet of cars. Consequently, many of the youths want to be politicians or yahoo-yahoo boys. Ogbodo wants to inculcate in them the virtues of patience and hard work; he wants them to learn that life is like a building, you lay one block at a time. He wants them to discover their purpose and spend the rest of their lives living it happily. He is still on the matter.

    When we spoke 10 days ago, he talked about the need for more interventions: He wants more prominent sons of Urhobo to come home to invest. He wants people to set up enduring businesses with good fundamentals and strong corporate governance, so that the businesses can outlive the founders. He wants partnerships, based on integrity and shared vision, so that the institutions can endure. The partnerships will also enable each partner to punch far above what s/he could have done individually.

    Last Thursday, Ogbodo’s words reverberated in my mind as I beheld a spectacle in Ovwodokpokpor-Olomu, Delta State. It was the grand opening of a resort and farms. The ultra-modern resort in the heart of a rural setting creates a pleasant contrast that inspires hope. It is a reality made possible by an audacious and courageous spirit; a product of a very creative mind. The venture is a stroll in a rural terrain where even angels would have a rethink before treading (some people have questioned the viability of such a project in a rural setting).

    Before Ogbodo relocated back home, an older friend, Olorogun Jacob Diedjomahor, did. After over 30 years spent mainly in Lagos and America, he retired as the exploration manager of one of the top three oil companies in Nigeria. Then he came home to start farming on a very large scale. About two years ago, he started this multimillion naira resort on a 50-acre land in his village, Ovwodokpokpor-Olomu. The grand opening was what took me to Ovwodokpokpor. It is an unbelievable sight and a massive upgrade for the community. Life will never be the same in Ovwodokpokpor.

    As I beheld the blend of nature and modernity, I thought of what will happen in Urhobo Land, Delta State and Nigeria, if at least one prominent son or daughter of each village came back home to set up a business that can bring some macro and micro economic transformation to his/her village? As if others were reading my thoughts, speaker after speaker (Ohworode of Olomu, HRM Richard Ogbon-Oghoro 1, Prince Austin Enajemo-Isire, Chairman of NSITF; VME Emmanuel Evue, Olorogun Edoreh Agbah, Engr. Alex Neyin and Engr. Mike Orugbo) spoke along the same line. More investments will bring down the crime rate and improve the standard of living, but most importantly, the young ones in the villages will have new sources of inspiration.

    There are many Urhobo sons and daughters outside Urhobo Land, who want to come home to contribute their bit towards making their homeland a better place, but do not feel encouraged by what they see. The issue has gone beyond the fear of witches and wizards. There is a lot of insecurity. One of the speakers spoke about how he abandoned a similar project in his village due to insecurity. Also, some people, who went home to set up businesses in the past were kidnapped. Some regained their freedom and a few unfortunate ones lost their lives. One of the speakers was kidnapped twice in his own local government, but he remains a homeboy due to his love for his people. There was also a man, who came back from the United States to start a business. He was intimidated, harassed, beaten up and illegally detained with trumped up charges by his own people. He lost millions of naira. He has gone back to the US. Will he come back? Time will tell.

    Sometimes, the problems come from the immediate families. Your brother, cousin or uncle abroad sends you money to buy a plot of land or build a house for him; you divert the money to personal use. Then, when he asks for progress report, you take photos of other construction sites and send to him. There was a story of one of such people, who came back to Nigeria to see his new property. In an attempt to cover up, the culprit murdered him. I cannot remember the part of Nigeria where this happened.
    In our discussions, I have asked Ogbodo about some of the concerns of these people. He feels that people should not wait for the weather to be clear before heading to the farm. He also feels that if everyone shies away, who would change the narrative. All the speakers last Thursday shared the same sentiments. That is why people like Diedjomahor are back home. In the large gathering of people at the opening of the resort on Thursday, the seed of coming back to do something in their communities may have been sown in some of them. This is just inevitable, seeing the splendour of the resort and how it has changed the narrative of Ovwodokpokpor.

    But I strongly feel that the kings and the presidents-general of the various kingdoms in Urhobo Land still have a lot to do. The development of a community should be understood to be what it is: deliberate human and physical capacity building. Deve or any form of extortion is a disincentive and should not be tolerated. It is deve that partly crippled Uvwie (Effurun) economy because it led to the exodus of many oil and oil servicing companies. The economy of Uvwie is yet to recover from the exodus. All hands must therefore be on deck to create an enabling environment for those who want to come home to develop their communities.