Aruviere Martin Egharhavwa is a concerned Nigerian in diaspora, a lawyer, politician and public affairs analyst from Kokori Inland, Ethiope East LGA of Delta State and resident in the United Kingdom. In this interview with Moses Nosike, he feels concern about the massive rate of youth unemployment, decaying state of infrastructure and low pace of economic development. We need leaders
that are not self-centred. Excerpts: Which candidate do you think can bring about development, transform youths and reduce unemployment in Delta?
The candidate has to be a man that can hold his own any day, anywhere and anytime. And that individual is Obaisi (Barr.) Ovie Omo-Agege, a lawyer, politician, administrator and business mogul. In fact, he needs no further introduction.
His CV and his political, economic and community track records speak for themselves. And either a brief or a detailed examination of the man’s record will assure any sane and reasonable mind that he will surely take Delta State to greater heights.
Without wishing to blow trumpets or denigrate any character or aspirant it is overwhelmingly clear that none of the other aspirants can match up to what Ovie Omo-Agege brings to the table.
He is one aspirant whose declaration for the governorship has electrified the political space in Delta State. Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege, is a political titan whose political astuteness is stuff for legends.
He is also a trained lawyer, who honed his legal skills in the United States, he is a major player, who has built tested and reliable bridges across the ethnic groups in Delta State. Omo-Agege is a household name in Delta State. He has become a political phenomenon.
So far, he only, I emphasize, he only among the horde aspiring to become governor of Delta State has a programme of action which is a well crafted manifesto he code-named FOUR PILLARS OF CONSOLIDATION.
Omo-Agege symbolizes the soul of Delta, its destiny and essence. He embodies the cultured pacifist spirit of the Anioma, dignified comportment of the Itsekiri, vivacious robust tendency of the Urhobo, spartan courageous latitude of the Ijaw and easy going accommodating posture of the Isoko.
Surely Omo-Agege is formidable enough to comprehensively win the governorship for his party and help President Goodluck achieve higher voter turnout in the presidential election.
His nomination will guarantee the PDP a start off with about 60 percent of the votes which the Urhobos can muster all across the state and effectively put the election out of play for the opposition even before the campaigns begin.
There is a clarion call to carry the youths along in leadership for future economic development, what is your take?
If we flash back to Nigeria of the 60s and up to the 70s, the situation of the youth and people in age bracket 20s to 30s was different. At age 19 or so, late Ambassador M.T. Mbu was Nigeria’s High Commissioner to UK and he was Minister of Navy at 20 plus. At his early 30s, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was already in his bloom in the Western Region and he was leader of Government in the West before 40: ditto the late Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ladoke Akintola.
The likes of Gowon, Murtala Muhammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, were Heads of State in their 30s. Their likes populated the civil service as super permanent secretaries while the Military Governors ranged between 20 plus to early 30s.
I’m of the view that qualified Nigerian youths should be carried along and incorporated into position of governance to help secure a better tomorrow for our nation.
The country is characterised with leadership challenges, what is responsible for this?
Unfortunately, the virtue of selflessness which largely characterised public service at the dawn of Nigerian’s Independence in 1960, has since been replaced by the ignoble culture of greed and every man for himself.
Corruption, lack of sincerity of purpose, ineptitude and crass brigandage is the cause of the leadership challenges that characterize our nation. Majority of our leaders are not sincere and as such thrive in deceit.
How best can youths be developed so they can develop the country?
Nigerian youths can be developed by massive youth employment through small public works contracts and institutional strengthening including capacity enhancement of youths in skills acquisition; scaling up/expansion of community driven development activities using the structures of the community and social development project; and grants to technical, vocational and agricultural training institutions, among others.
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