A NEW VISION, A NEW HOPE, A NEW DAWN
An address presented at the Edo National Convention holding in San
Francisco, California this 31st day of August 2002.
BY
CHIEF MIKE A.A OZEKHOME
KSM, LL.B (HONS.), BL., LL.M., FNIM
Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro - Democracy Campaigner and
Governorship Candidate For Edo State on the platform of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP)
Protocols Observation.
My Compatriots,
I stand before you today as an Edo man, proud and honoured by your
invitation. Let me begin this my address by pointing out that at this
critical stage of our States struggle for survival, you are simply the
engine room of the Edo people, the major bread-winners and backbone of their
survival. Without your support our people back home face formidable misery
and disillusionment as they have not witnessed any scintilla of democracy
dividends since may 29, 1999. This state of stagnation calls for a change
of guard.
While President Bush speaks of a Regime change in Iraq, with military Force,
we are equally faced with a regime change situation in Edo state, but in out
own case, through the peaceful and orderly force of the ballot. Things must
change at home; not next year, not next month, not next week, not even
tomorrow. The change must begin today, Now.
I need not remind you that your Kinsmen and women at home are not as exposed
as you are about the mechanics and dynamics of democracy. They are still
being harassed and intimidated by those who govern them. Many of them are
voiceless. Those who have a voice are afraid to speak up for fear of state -
sanctioned reprisal. It is a lot easier for you to make the necessary
logical connection between good governance and societal development than
they can afford to do. You look for issues, not personalities or names.
They still fear authority and those who wield power of life and death over
them.
It is my belief that if I can convince you that I am competent to run Edo
state Government and pull it out of its present administrative, economic and
moral bankruptcy, it will give my campaign back home a big boost and make it
a lot easier. So, I am asking for your enlightened endorsement so that
others will follow. The PDP is a very big party of one large family.
Disagreements and different perceptions may occure now and again as in all
political parties, but its strong leadership at the National and state
levels has be able to hold it together. There is therefore no problem with
the PDP as a political party as regards its focus, manifesto and people -
oriented programs. The only problems at the Edo state level is the
inability of the Government to implement those programs of the party that
will give democracy dividends to the beleaguered people. And that amounts
to a fundamental breach of the time-tested definition of democracy as "the
Government of the People, by the people and for the people".
No politician can hope to bribe you to buy your support because you know
what is proper and forbidden. Your conscience can not be bought. To you,
attaining the Governorship of Edo State is not necessarily for the highest
bidder.
So my brothers and sisters of Edo State land, the hard truth is that not
many have the courage or moral authority you have to appraise the situation
objectively. What is more, your views are well respected back home by the
average common man and woman whose very existence you have sustained with
your hard-earned dollars. Unfortunately, it is amazing that no government
has sought to tap from the rich resources of your intellectual power, high
level connections within and without the American system and professional
capabilities. This I will do when you help me to become the Governor of Edo
State come 2003. I shall setup a think-thank, a bank of ideas made up of
many of you in the Diaspora and our compatriot back home on how to move Edo
State forward.
It is sad indeed, that our state which was a model state in Nigeria, noted
for its prosperity, honesty, sheer industry and pride is today a land of
unmitigated disaster, despair, misery squalor, starvation and hopelessness.
Once created by popular plebiscite on August 9, 1963, was an Eldorado, a
land of milk and honey. Once upon a time, the old Bendel State, an offshoot
of the defunct Midwest Region was the envy of other States in Nigeria as it
truly represented the heartbeat of the Nation. Thanks to the vision of our
founding fathers, spear-headed by the then most revered Oba of Benin, His
Royal Majesty, Oba Akenzua who had as far back as 1953 - 54 campaigned for
National struggle; and in 1963 on the need to vote "yes" at the referendum
for the creation of Midwest Region. We shall forever remember the vision
and foresight of Chief Humphrey Omo - Osagie, Chief Anthony Enahoro (the
great patriot who moved the motion for Nigeria's independence), Chief Dennis
Osadebay (later premier), Chief Jereton Mariere Okotieboh, (Omimi -ejoh),
Chief M.A. Dekhe, Chief Edwin Kiagbodoh Clark and other unforgettable Edo
sons and daughters.
This solid foundation has since been built upon by the likes of two-time
Governors, Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, Major- General George Agbazika
Innih; the most distinguished and revered, political icon, Anthony Anenih
( Hon. Minister of Mines and Housing, Admirals Augustine Aikhomu, Okhai
Mike Akhigbe, AVM Okpere, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, the chief Priest of the
Benin Kingdom, Professor Omoh Omoruyi, and a most celebral author, chief Tom
Ikimi, and a whole lot of other patriots. That time and space will not
permit me to mention here.
The situation today has however changed. .. Pensioners are not paid for
upwards of eight months, and when they demonstrate peacefully, they are
harassed by armed police and armoured tanks. But those in Government are
doing well materially in the face of a starving populace.
The teaming army of unemployed youth increases by the day. Young girls are
forced by a harsh economic environment to take to prostitution. Their male
counterparts take to Armed robbery and other social vices. The schools are
in shambles, and education has become so expensive and elitist that it has
been gradually but methodically taken out of the reach of majority of
Edolities. The roads are in a state of deplorable disrepair with craters.
There are no gutters, no proper drainage system and no street lights. The
environment is polluted with filth. There is no potable water, no food, no
employment opportunities. Security of life and property is virtually
non-existent. The situation in Edo state is literally back to the
Hobbessian an state of Nature where life is short, poor, nasty and brutish.
We need not despair.
There is a ray of light at the dark end of the tunnel as I offer myself to
serve Edo state. I am your son, a "home boy", well acquainted with the
sufferings and yearnings of our people at home and in the Diaspora. As a
practising lawyer, a Human Rights Activist and Pro-democracy campaigner, I
have been involved over-time in combating anarchy, oppression and repression
of the teeming Nigerian masses. I have fought on the side of the cheated,
the denied, the repressed, the marginalized and the hapless, attempting to
give voice to the voiceless, and using law as an instrument of
socio-economic engineering. I believe that we must not allow our generation
to be tagged a "wasted generation". WE all have a job to do - to save our
people from doldrums and give them hope and basic amenities to make life
more meaningful to them. No one person can do it alone. It is a collective
effort. Just as in the dark days of the struggle against military
dictatorship when we made good use of many of you here as supporters,
financiers and advisers, you are now being called upon once more to play yet
another historical role of joining hands to emancipate our people.
Edo state may not be one of the richest states in Nigeria. But it is
certainly not one of the poorest states, relatively speaking. With a revenue
of over 14 Billion Naria per anuum (about N9, billion for state and N5.4
billion for Local Governments) aside internally generated revenue (IGR) and
sundry sources, I do not believe, in all honestly, from available data and
income profile of the state that Edo state is so poor that its Government
can not carry out its fundamental duties and primary obligation to the
people. What is a government, if not about capacity-building, wealth
creation and satisfying the basic needs of the people. With the right people
in charge of Government business, pedestrian issues like good roads,
security of lives and property of our people, qualitative education,
industrialization, capacity building and all that modern civilization can
afford would become easily realizable. With the right policies in place,
you need not send dollars home through Western Union to feed our starving
parents who are victims of bad Government polices. When elected Governor by
the Grace of God and With your support, I shall bring high quality
leadership, honor, character, morality and integrity to bear on governance.
A Government must be pro - active, not reactive. It must have a clear
vision, a mission, set objectives and well articulated means of achieving
its goals. We must here resolve to fight primitive, medieval politics of
intimidation, thuggery, greed, avarice and intolerance.
I have activated a strategic PLAN OF ACTION, a blueprint to lift Edo state
out of its present state of decadence and put it on a solid pedestal of
socio-economic prosperity.
By way of a general outline, let us here attempt a summary of some priority
areas.
THE GOVERNMENT
Setting up of a pro - masses government of transparency, accountability and
responsibility with corruptions and indolence as major casualties. The
Government shall execute carefully articulated policies generated by a
think - tank of progressive Edo Sons and daughters at home and in the
diaspora. These policies will be contained in a written blue print.
EDUCATIION
Our government shall embark on qualitative and easily affordable education
in a healthy environment with well motivated teachers and staff: Primary
education shall be free and compulsory. Secondary education shall be
declared free within two years in office. Library shall be built and well
stocked and computers introduced with the help of Donor Agencies. Boarding
facilities shall be re-introduced in all secondary schools with subsidized
fees. Fees currently paid in tertiary institutions shall be greatly slashed
and private companies and individuals given incentives to embark on building
Hostel accommodation through Build, Operate and Transfer (B.O.T.) system,
wherein they Build Hostels, Operate them at cheap minimum rates and later
transfer these to the Government at an agreed period after realizing their
investment and profit.
Communities and old students Associations will be encouraged to carry out
massive fund-raising events to develop and rebuild their dilapidated schools
with Government proportionately matching donations realized at such events
Naira for Naira. Special number plates, plaques and certificates will be
given to high donors. "A free lunch meal" program shall be introduced in all
primary schools to nurture healthy children. Public schools and tertiary
institutions shall have fully equipped and functional laboratories and
science equipment to breed a new crop of science-oriented and
engineering -inclined Edolites. A school for the handicapped members of the
society (blind, deaf, dumb, disabled. etc) shall be established in Benin -
City.
MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION AND FACE-LIFT FOR BENIN - CITY.
Benin city today is a disaster zone, reminding one of a war - ravaged area.
It shall be fully reconstructed and rehabilitated to rub shoulders with its
kith and kin cities of Ibadan, Enugu and Kaduna (the four regional capitals
up to 1967). The roads will be tarred, drainage systems provided through
massive digging and contrustions of gutters by readily available cheap
labour. A topographical map (TM) will be designed to map out the Nationa
Drainage Route (NDR) such as the moat (Iya) and existing Construction
Drainage Route (CDR) to solve the problem once and for all. Well -paved walk
ways, functional street lights, road signs and overhead bridges will be
constructed. The Government will employ men and women called "Road
managers" who shall sweep and keep the streets clean on a daily basis with
trash cans and incinerators provided to keep filth off the street.
The inhabitants will be encouraged to plant trees and flowers in their
homes, keep the environment clean with a healthy competition of the cleanest
street and Household. Health Inspectors shall be re-introduced to monitor
sanitation. Parking lots and leisure/relaxation centres shall be created.
This face -lift will later be extended to other major towns like Auchi,
Uromi, Ekpoma, Ubiaja, Agenebode, Okada, Iguobazuwa, Abudu, Irrua, etc.
EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY AND AGRICULTURE
Full and gainfull employment, empowerment and capacity building for men,
women and the youth shall be introduced. Promt payment of salary to civil
servants, gratuity and retirement benefits to pensioners, some of whom had
been forcibly and pre-maturely, retired from office. Government shall
recall some to their positions where still available or to other
commensurate positions in and outsides government establishment. A new
"Retirement -to- farm" (RTF) program shall be introduced to involve these
suffering Edolites in mechanized farming. There will be aggresssive and
comprehensive rural-urban, transformation, with another catch-them young
"School- to- Land" (STL) program introduced.
Government will purchase heavy mechanized farming equipment such as
caterpillars, bull-dozers, harrows, harvesters, etc. The government will
provide free fertilizers, silos to store harvested crops, tractorization,
bush -clearing and harvesting services to farmers who will bunch themselves
together in cooperatives. They will in turn pay a certain percentage of
their farm yield profits to government.
Our government shall encourage large-scale production of poultry, fisheries,
livestocks and timbers and rubber for which Edo is renowned. High-yeild
seedlings and nurseries will be provided by the government for cash and
economic crops like cocoa, rubber, palm produce, timber, rice, cassava
tobacco cashew, maize, yams, groundnuts, beans, cotton, tomatoes,
pineapples, citrus, coconut etc. The Government will teach agriculture in
the mass media through experts.
WATER RESOURCES: POTABLE WATER.
Perhaps the greatest problem in Edo state is lack of portable water in spite
of the numerous aquifers, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs. It
is like the situation in the "Ancient Mariner" of "water, water every where
but none fit enough to drink". Our Government shall do away with
money-guzzling bore hole projects that dry up shortly after commissioning.
Major God-given rivers and flowing streams which abound in Edo state shall
be dammed to provide constant potable water. The Ikpoba river, Ojirami and
other rivers like Ole, Ogbudu and others in Orhionmwon, Ovia, Ishan, etc are
sufficient to give Edo state all its water requirements, including for
irrigation purposes.
If the Federal Government can transport Crude Oil from Portharcourt and
Warri across hundreds of miles to kaduna refinery, there is no reason why we
cannot pipe dammed water across a small Edo state. If America can turn
waste to water, and the state of California situated in a desert can have
all its water requirements, from Colorado through aqueducts, there is no
reason why Edo State can not turn its clear rivers, and streams to potable
water. What is required is to dam these rivers built state of the art water
treatment plants and reservoirs will have water to drink and subject the
water through primary and secondary processes of filtration, screening and
flocculation. When chlorinating of the water is done with fluride added,
people materials needed for these process are readily available at home and
cheap. The primary and secondary processes are meant to purify the water
from virus, bacterial inorganic and radioactive contaminants. When
purified, network of water pipes (12 to 24 inches in diameter are laid from
the reservoirs and purification centers and distribute across the state.
CREATION OF SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS UNDER GOVERNORS OFFICE.
To effectively and personally monitor projects and intervene timeously, we
shall create some special departments under the Governors office e.g. "Quick
Intervention Agency (QIA), " Public Works Department" (PWD) and "CRIME
STOPPER DEPARTMENT" (CSD). The first two departments shall intervene to
repair roads, fill up potholes; combat erosion and tackle natural and man-
made disasters. The Crime Stopper Department shall specifically tackle
matters of security with the police. This is exhaustively discussed
elsewhere.
ELECTRICITY & TELECOMMUNICATION
Our government will ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity by embarking
on rural electrification program, provision of transformers and use of gas,
which passes through Edo State from Delta to supplement national supply. It
is a priority to connect rural areas to the national grid.
Telecommunication being very important, our government shall encourage
private participation by companies such as MTN, ECONET, SELCOM, M-TEL,
MULTILINKS and others to unleash on Edo State viable telecommunication
services. This is in addition to lobbying the Federal Ministry of
Communications to upgrade existing telecommunication facilities in Edo State
and digitalize it.
YOUTH & SPORTS
To cultivate a healthy youth, intellectually but physically, mentally and
psychologically, youth and sports development will be vigorously pursued.
Edo State has always been outstanding intellectually and in sports. We shall
improve on these.
INDUSTRIALIZATION
We shall complete and make operational any industry on which work has
actually and genuinely commenced. Right now, all uncompleted industries in
Edo State are cost centers adding no value to the bottom line. In modern
governance, privatization and commercialization are the order of the day.
With availability of gold, oil, lime stone, marble, dolomite, granite,
caolin, et cetera the business of our government will be to create
industrial layouts in the three Senatorial zones. We shall encourage
small-scale cottage industries and encourage corporate participation and
private entrepreneurship. Government shall provide the needed land, give a
tax-free period of operation, create a conducive, crime-free environment and
provide basic amenities of life at such sites, such as water, electricity,
access roads, health centers, and security. With such industry-friendly
environment, local and foreign investment will blossom, and our Brothers and
Sisters in the Diaspora will be fully involved. There shall be no room for
white Elephant projects that have no direct bearing on the people. The
organized private sector (OPS), MAN, NACCIMA, NASSI will be fully involved.
HEALTH
Emphasis will be on preventive and disease-control healthcare by insisting
on a clean environment with each household in Edo State being encouraged to
plant trees, grasses, and flowers in their homes. A healthy competition for
the cleanest city, village, household with a prize and plaque to be won
shall be introduced. Sanitary Inspectors shall be re-introduced. Right now,
hospitals are dilapidated, with patients buying their own syringes,
bandages, plasters, drugs and even drips. We shall rehabilitate hospitals,
build new rural health centers and introduce mobile clinics called
"HEALTH-ON-WHEELS". We shall seek aid from foreign and multi-national
organizations, including the RED CROSS, UNICEF; ET CETERA to donate free or
highly subsidized equipment and drugs to hospitals and health centers.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
To save our Brothers and Sisters in the Diaspora from the hands of hoodlums
and alerted armed robbers who ambush them between Lagos and Benin City and
between Abuja and Benin City, our government shall upgrade the facilities at
the Benin City Airport and lobby the Federal Government through the Federal
Ministry of Aviation to approve it and designate it an international
airport.
NEGLECTED OIL MINERAL PRODUCING COMMUNITIES AND NEW LGCs
Our oil mineral producing communities such as Oben, Abbe, and many others in
Orhionmwon, Ikpoba-Owa, and Ovia Southwest LGCs are literally cut off from
Edo State. Some have to pay tax to be allowed to pass through Oghara (the
Delta State Governor's town in Ethiope LG) before making a detour back to
their own Edo land. This is not only degrading and dehumanizing; it is
insensitive. Our Government will stop all that by constructing access roads
there and giving the people the basic amenities of life. Creation of new
local government councils in accordance with section 8 of the Nigerian
Constitution shall be embarked upon to reduce the size of these suffering
LGCs. The Edo people shall determine their viability and number, provided a
measure of self-sustainability is achieved.
TRANSPORTATION, TOURISM & MARKETS
Our government shall insist on a cheap and effect transportation system with
clean buses and taxes painted in a designated color. Taxi drivers and
"Okada" (motor cycle) riders shall be encouraged to wear designated
uniforms as they choose by themselves with numbers assigned to each. This
method which is carried out in neighboring countries such the Republic of
Benin will in turn check crimes. The building of new markets, expansion and
repairs of existing ones will definitely aid trade and commerce. Tourism
with Edo State's numerous hotels, scenic topography, the Moat, and iron and
bronze industry and aquatic and wild life shall put Edo State on the map of
Nigerian tourism.
TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION
As a traditional chief in many lands across Nigeria` I have great reverence
for the traditional institution. My government will showcase the rich
cultural heritage of the Edos by uplifting the quality of life of our Royal
Fathers.
SECURITY
Security of lives and property shall be one of great priority. The police
shall be given special incentives and vehicles as done in Lagos state
notwithstanding that under sections 214 and 215 of the constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, police is a matter on the exclusive
legislative list of the Federal Government. There shall be established in
addition, a special department called "CRIME STOPPER DEPARTMENT" (CDS), to
be set up in the Governor's Office. Its functions shall include intelligence
and information gathering about crime from anonymous people. Such people are
given numbers by which they are addressed so as to maintain their anonymity.
Anyone who turns in or gives information concerning a suspected criminal who
is successfully prosecuted shall be given a designated sum from the fund to
be established under the CDS. Criminals not being ghosts will vanish into
thin air when their kith and kin turn them over to security anonymously.
ECONOMIC POLICY
It is insensitive to tax poor Edolites gasping under the york of abject
penury. Our resource base at present is enough to sustain healthy governance
once corruption, leakages, waste and wrong priorities, are removed. The 13%
oil derivation allocation from Federation Account, Ecological Allocation,
VAT proceeds, and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from sundry sources
amount to quite a lot of money. Among others, we shall overhaul the tax
machinery such as to make the tax consultants and internal revenue
department more efficient and effective.
Government shall enter into partnership with corporations, private firms,
multinational organizations, donor agencies, and wealthy individuals to
inject massive funds into Edo State. This will lead to an effective waste
management and provide reasonable jobs for unemployed Edo people. Such
companies will pay commission and fees to Edo State.
We shall create wealth by encouraging private sector participation in
housing. Government will provide land, while Banks and Mortgage firms will
provide infrastructure, build, sell and then share proceeds with government
on agreed terms.
Transparent privatization of parastatals to ease pressure on government
funds shall be embarked upon. Money realised can be injected into stocks by
government for higher dividends. The P.A.Y.E (Pay As You Earn) system shall
be overhauled to make wealthy individuals more responsible while giving tax
relief to poor beleaguered Edolites. Capital gain tax, development levy,
stamp duty systems are to be overhauled.
GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE
We shall put in place an all-inclusive government of the people who yearn
for a change. You all here want a change and I offer myself for the
much-needed change. I stand before you today wearing the face of the new Edo
man and woman, the face of transparency, accountability, responsibility; the
face of courage, honour, integrity, moral rectitude, hard work, and
dedication to the cause of the Edo people; the face of positive change. I
shall bring back to Edo State the lost glory of the Edo people, restore the
vision of our founding fathers and bring hope and new lease of life to the
Edo people.
The issue of resource control and restructuring of the federation to
enthrone equity, social justice and egaliterianism, are very dear to my
heart. They shall be pursued as lawfully as possible within the permissible
framework of Nigeria's Constitutional order. Suggestion boxes shall be
introduced in every Local Government headquarters with constant town and
city meetings to carry the grassroots along. If there is one thing I have
learnt on this trip, it is that when a people are propelled by a strong will
anchored firmly on a vision and set goals, they will definitely succeed. Edo
State, with the right people in government, can serve as a model state in
Nigeria. Between the rich oil source of Ovia, Oben, Abbe and Urhonigbe, the
rice-friendly lands of Ekpoma, Afuze and Warrake, the rich loamy deltas of
Agenebode and Ekperi, the fruit-laden lands of Ehor and Irhuekpen, the
scenic beauty of the hills and valleys at Igarra and Otuo and the rich
imperishable culture and resilience of the great Benin Kingdom, Edo state
shall be great again!
We do not have to look far afield to find the people to make this happen. As
I look up and see the array of distinguished Edo sons and daughters herein
gathered today, I feel energised and strengthened in my belief that we shall
all collectively expel poverty, misery and squalor from Edo state. You have
a duty to send a very strong message to our people that I can bring about
the much-desired change. Towards this end, I will immediately, after I win
the primary with the help of our leaders back home, your help, and the grace
of God Almighty, setup a think-tank, an ideas-generating bank of our
brothers and sisters at home and in the Diaspora as to how to fix Edo state.
The ideas generated at that forum will be merged with some of the ideas I
have expressed above, ultimately leading to a more comprehensive written
blue-print for moving our state forward.
I want to be counted on the right side of history, on the side of great
achievers like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the great Zik of Africa, Winston
Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington who made the American
presidency the most powerful office in the world as far back 1776. I
remember with awe Thomas Jefferson who at the age of 33 authored the
American declaration of independence in 1787, the statute of Virginia for
religious freedom and founder of the University of Virginia; Abraham Lincoln
proclaimed the emancipation of slaves and offered a hand to southern States
who had attempted secession from the union proclaiming "we must not be
enemies".
I want to be counted on the side of the great Franklin Roosevelt who at 39
suffered polio, but went on to be New York governor and four times president
of America, authoring "The New Deal" - a program of social justice, security
to the aged, employment, shorter work hours, and more wages. I want to be in
position to sing his popular campaign song " happy days are here again". I
have imbibed and will follow the immortal words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
author of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and say "ask not what your Edo state can
do for you, ask what you can do for Edo State". The good news is that with
your endorsement and with me in government, "happy days are here again".
Thank you and God bless us all.
Contact: Top Floor, 49, Ogunlana Drive,
P.O BOX 6811, Surulare, Lagos
Hot Lines: 08033062592 08023421288
01- 7753732.
CHAMBERS: Tel: 01-5845948, 5846919,
012904241(DL).
E-mail:
moc@gacom.com,
ozekmike@yahoo.com
OZEKHOME FOR EDO PEOPLE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
OFE P.D.P.
