ESAN PEOPLE: JOIN THE VOICES FOR THE CREATION OF ESAN STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE FORTHCOMING NATIONAL DIALOGUE CONFERENCE.

By Prince Kelly Udebhulu.

Joshua Richie Supported the creation of Esan State  with these facts:

 Good idea, Esan is fully qualified to be a state and has the potential to sustain her self.
REASONS:

 1) We all know the massive economic potentials of Agriculture, The whole of Esan is actually a bulk of arable land.

 2) Esan has direct border with river Niger to the East, visable in iIushi, ugborha and surrounding communities.

 3)  Esan has crude oil in commercial quantity available in parts of Esan S.E, Urohi Kingdom in Esan West, parts of Esan N.E (Uzea), parts of Esan Central (border between Esan Central and Uzea).

Esan is strategically located as home to the major road leading to the federal capital city. And more... States do not succeed by size, it does as a result of the positive impact of the leaders. Population does not remain static, it is dynamic and people migrate every now and then, Esan has the ability to draw a huge population.

Esan State of Nigeria, a State linking all Nigerians.

NATIONAL DIALOGUE AND THE ESAN POSITION.

By Saintmoses Eromosele.
BoT Chairman, Esan National Congress, Worldwide.

Fellow Esanites,

The National Dialogue is currently trending and nations are making presentations. The Esan nation, the size of Ekiti State, has not made its position known. While I take responsibility for failure to make presentation on behalf of ESCDI in the absence of presentation by any Esan body, I however wish to rouse us to attention and let's not make the second mistake. We shall fully participate at the conference and we shall also assume to speak on behalf of Esanland.

The Board of Trustees and the Exco shall meet to come up with modalities on how we intend to participate at the conference or any future events to speak for Esanland. We are too important to be ignored. If you do not speak, others will only talk at you.

Let us join hands to declare who we are - Warriors!

Esan n'aigbe! — with Prince Kelly Udebhulu, PauLy Okpere, Ehis Roberts, Charles Usifo, Omoye Shaka, Ken Ebakata, Frank Obaresan-Okoukoni, Engr Adams Okoene, Gillian Eigbobo and  Okwe Kenneth Aigbe.

Nigeria, Spain trade hits 7 billion euros.

“One of the main reasons for the forum is not only to create a platform for European business but also what we are trying to do is to get people from Europe to have confidence in Nigeria.
“We are still after so many years battling with the same thing; the bad image of Nigeria and we have been trying to create confidence in Nigeria among Europeans,’’ she said.

The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Alvaro Aguilar, said that the volume of bilateral trade between Nigeria and Spain stood at seven billion euro in 2012. Aguilar disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Abuja at a briefing to herald the 2nd Nigeria-EU Business Forum organised by the EU Delegation to Nigeria.

He said that oil and gas accounted for 98 per cent of the country’simport volume from Nigeria.
“Spanish investments in Nigeria have increased by 25 per cent in the last year.
“In our commercial office in Lagos as well as our embassy in Abuja, almost every week we have new Spanish companies coming to Nigeria.

“They are interested in several sectors including infrastructure, construction, pharmaceuticals and industrial agreements,’’ he said.

The ambassador said that Spain was the fourth largest EU trading partner to Nigeria and observed that trade deficit which stood at about 400 million euro favoured Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Dirk Verheyen put the volume of imports from Nigeria at three billion euro.

He said that Belgium was the third largest importer of goods from Nigeria, “majority of which are from the oil and gas sector.’’

On the 2nd Nigeria-EU Business Forum, Mr Andre Ronne, a Delegate of German Industry and ommerce, disclosed that 12 EU member countries have signified their intentions to participate.
Ronne said countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and theUK.

“It is an exchange platform for European and Nigerian companies, particularly in the private sector.
“The EU private sector stands for good quality products, reliability and interest in long term relations with countries like Nigeria,“ Ronne said.

Highlighting the importance of European-Nigeria trade and commerce, the German official said: “Nigeria is sub-Saharan Africa second largest economy after South Africa and the most promising business destination now for European companies.

“If they are interested in doing business in the continent it is definitely Nigeria.

“This is particularly so because South Africa is considered to be a saturated development market,’’ he said.

Ronne said that the forum would discuss the major challenges facing the Nigerian economy and proffer solutions, based on the viewpoint of the European private sector.

“One of the challenges is security, related to oil theft and the situation in Niger Delta and also related to the North,’’ he said.

He however commended the Nigerian government for doing quite a lot to create a stable business environment, particularly in Lagos.

Ms Paulette Van Trier, an official of the Nigerian-Belgian Commercial Information and Documentation Centre, said a major challenge for the forum was to change the perception of European companies on Nigeria.

“One of the main reasons for the forum is not only to create a platform for European business but also what we are trying to do is to get people from Europe to have confidence in Nigeria.

“We are still after so many years battling with the same thing; the bad image of Nigeria and we have been trying to create confidence in Nigeria among Europeans,’’ she said.

Why I took on Oshiomhole, by Nyiam

Oshiomhole

Nyiam yesterday defended his attack on Oshiomhole, saying the governor made ‘’sarcastic remarks’’ against the proposed national dialogue.

Speaking on the telephone, with a correspondent, he also accused the governor of “talking down on people.”Nyiam said he felt Oshiomhole, after “lecturing” members of the dialogue advisory panel on his reasons for opposing the conference, during their visit to him in his office, came to the venue and started the same lecture.

His words: “Governors who have penchant for insulting the President or making sarcastic remarks against the sense of judgment of the President of Nigeria should be ready to tolerate response from Nigerian citizens to tell them no. The committee’s role is advisory, we need to consult with the people to advise us and we will then synthesise the people’s opinion and use that to advise the President because we believe that we need to work towards a people’s-driven constitution which we never had in our history.

‘’We thought we should start a bottom-up approach from the grassroots to the top. The attitude was that there should be no talking down on the people we are supposed to engage the people not to talk down on them. Based on this principle, the key feature of our consultation was to meet with the people but out of courtesy we pay courtesy calls on the governors or the king in the city.”

He added: ‘’ So when people started booing the governor, I went to the chairman to remind him about the rules of our committee. The chairman said we should give him a chance to continue. He carried on with his derogatory remarks and it was at that point I then said ‘no, not again’. When I said that, by this time, his aides tried to come at me, but when I suspected that one was at my back I stood up. I sat down throughout.

‘’Not long after, a group of thugs came towards the table. It was then that the SSS people advised that mylife was not safe and I was taken away for safety. The girector of the state SSS raises security around us. The Commissioner of Police came to see me and they brought security. The police drove us all through out of Edo State because of the fear of attack. So, contrary to what they said, that I mobilised thugs, it is not true, it is Edo people that protected me.”

FG Arraigns Kelvin, Ozekhome’s Abductor, Others

A kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Eziegbe, and two other gang members, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh, have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abuja for their  alleged mastermind of kidnapping activities in the entire South-South region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The suspects were brought to the court yesterday under very heavy security cover and arraigned before Magistrate Usman Ahmed Shuaibu

The charge sheet read: “That between February 2, 2012 and September 24, 2013 at Kokori, Asaba, Warri, Port Harcourt and Benin City, in Delta, Rivers and Edo states respectively, and along Benin-Abuja road, Abuja, FCT, you Kelvin Eziegbe, Frank Azuekoh and Haruna Momoh conspired with Rufus Ovwigho, Ese Oghenerojakor and others now at large to kidnap for ransom the persons of Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Chudi Nwike (Dr), Hope Eghagha (Prof) and many others.

“That you did ambush and attack a Federal Prisons vehicle conveying some members of your criminal gang which resulted in the death of some Police and Prisons officers.

“That you further conspired to unlawfully import prohibited firearms from Libya for the purpose of kidnapping, robbery and related criminal activities and you thereby committed the offence of (1) criminal intimidation punishable under Section 397 penal code, (2) kidnapping punishable under Section 274 penal code, (3) robbery punishable under Section 298 penal code, and (4) criminal conspiracy to commit felony punishable under Section 97 penal code.

All the accused persons pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge.

After the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them, counsel to SSS, Mr. Charles Osagie told the court that they needed time because investigation into the activities of the alleged notorious kidnappers is still in progress and that they are about concluding it.

 He also begged the court for an order to remand the accused in  custody pending conclusion of investigation.

However, counsel to the accused, J.O Eguere, told the court that he would file a formal motion for the bail of the suspected kidnappers. He opposed Osagie’s oral motion for an order of the court to remand them in SSS custody.

The judge remanded them in SSS custody to give the operatives time to conclude investigation in the matter.

ARMY PARADE KIDNAPPERS IN EDO

A self-confessed member of Kelvin Onyiara’s kidnapping  gang, Apkpevwe Ojijevwe Richard (a.k.a 2 Mark), said Onyiara, who was arrested by security forces in September, had over 300 trained abductors spread across several cells across the country.

Richards, who was paraded along other suspected criminals by men of the 4 Brigade special  Joint Task Force  code named  operation Pulo Shield, in Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday, confessed to being part of a cell that abducted Edo State High Court Judge, Daniel Okungbowa and was also involved in the kidnap of a security expert, Ona Ekhomu and his wife, Victoria.
The suspect who was arrested along with a cache of arms and ammunition, a Prado jeep, which the 4 Brigade Public Relations Officer, Capt Roselyn Managbe said was identified by Okungbowa as his, a BMW car marked Lagos GC 484 EKY, charms and other items, said he was recruited into the gang by one Rufus.
She said, “In efforts of 4 Brigade/Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield Nigerian Army to combat crime within its area of responsibility, 19 Battalion troops deployed at Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, on 18 October 2013, following a tip-off and a distress call about kidnap of one Dr Ona Ekhomu and his wife, Mrs. Victoria Ekhomu, at Benin-Auchi road, at gunpoint… in a gun duel arrested one Mr. Akpevwe Ojijevwe Richard.

A YOUNG NIGERIAN FOOTBALLER DOING IT EXTRA-ORDINARY IN SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

Bright Osemudiamen Kelly

A courageous and energetic young Nigerian footballer,  Bright Osemudiamen Kelly (alias  "OSE" as popularly called in the pitch of play),  turned 8 years old on the 26th October, 2013. He plays for Getafe CF, Madrid as top striker.

In a recent encounter with his parents about the news of his successes so far at that tender age of 8;

" His name is "Osemudiamen", meaning, God stands for me in our Esan dialect, it is the handiwork of God not man, he was playing for Yuncos (Toledo) football junior team and made several successes in the scoring skills which spoted him out and was called for trial by Getafe CF (Madrid) and subsequent coming to his present football team (GETAFE CF D-football 7, Benjamin) today. He (Ose) started well now and will put his best to see the name of Nigeria uplifted greatly once again" added by his parents.

One astonishing thing about this kid is that he possesses the spirit of playing for his parents country, Nigeria despite the fact that he is born in Spain and have the larger opportunity of playing for the Spanish National Team if the potentials continue. He answers is native name, Ose and talk good English and Spanish fluently with humility and respect for African culture.

A team of our correspondents who watched his recent football matches at the Madrid football 7 league, www.ffmadrid.es (group 50), reported that Ose acquires speed, energy and technical skills as CR7 of Real Madrid, Messi of FC Barcelona, Samuel Eto of Chelsea and host of top strikers today. he scored two fantastic goals that the crowd applauded and shouted "oseeeeeeeeeeee, muy bien" meaning, ose, that is very good. At the end of the matches, our team were glad to associate with him and feel proud.

"we pray that the Nigerian Football Federation will make use of this great Nigerian footballer in the future and give him the chance to do his best for his parents country patriotically" Ojay said.

How Nigerian embassy rescued kids seized for adoption in Spain

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu (third from left) with a baby and mother of the kids, at the airport before their departure.

But for the timely intervention of Nigerian embassy in Spain, Nigerian couples would have forcefully lost their kids to surrogate parents.

However , in October 3 and 4, 2013, the kids aged six, four, three, and a month old, with their mother in company of a female embassy staff, were among passengers on board of Iberia Airline flight 3336 from Madrid to Lagos.

Three of the children were taken and separated from their parents about two years ago while the youngest, was taken from his mother immediately after delivery at the hospital.

According to the father of the siblings, Chris Osinachi, who lives in Murcia, Spain, the children had been in custody of Spanish authorities since on December 26, 2012.

Narrating his story  at Madrid Barajas International Airport, hours before they boarded flight to Nigeria, he explained that he had left home to search for job and her ailing wife who was being taken to the hospital pleaded with their Spanish neighbours to help look after the kids pending her return. But unknown to the woman, the neighbours had another plan,

When Osinachi returned home, he was told that the kids had been handed over to the Spanish Social Security Workers. When he and his wife approached the social security agents, they were denied access to the children

The agent insisted that they would not be allowed custody of the kids until they showed proof that they could take care of the children.

The proof include verifiable source of income, accommodation and others things.
The couples found it challenging to meet conditions as family survived on the income of Osinachi’s wife.

While they were denied custody of their children, the couple had another baby on August 20, 2013. Immediately after the delivery at the hospital, the baby was seized by the Spanish authorities.

While the couples were in dilemma, they got information that their kids were to be adopted, but a timely intervention of a Nigerian Embassy staff, Deputy Consul, Nze Nnamdi saved the situation and the kids were eventually handed over to their parents for eventual deportation to Nigeria.

Bianca makes things work for Nigerians in Spain

Bianca Ojukwu

By Uchendu Precious Onuoha 

The one year period that once Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and the widow of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojoukwu, Bianca Odinaka Ojukwu has piloted affairs as the Nigerian ambassador to the kingdom of Spain has improved the lot of Nigerians living in Spain. The beautiful  ambassador whose her charming beauty still remains  even at her late 40s always take me back to memory lane about the remarks made about her in the book Because I am Involved by her husband.

According to Ojukwu, “saying that Bianca is beautiful, is stating the obvious, and is just like one standing in front of the White House and say this building is tall.”

One of her course mates in an interview with the press during her reign as beauty queen once expressed that he was not sure of graduating because of Bianca as he loses concentration whenever Bianca is in the class. Even today in Spain, the Spanish cannot hide their admiration of her as my Spanish colleagues would always tell me que guapa eran su embajadorameaning, “what a beauty is your ambassador!”

It is said that “character is beauty.” Her humane, clever, and simple nature caught my attention the first time I met her in her office.

Before  her arrival, the embassy and its activity seemed to be foreign to many Nigerian in Spain as it was not very responsive to their plight. It appeared they were on a different mission other than for Nigerians in Spain. By then going to the embassy used to be a nightmare to many. The long wait and impolite attitude of some of the officials would make one wonder the type of training and orientation they received for their job. It usually was a case of whom you know.

According to Bianca who noticed that on arrival, commented during the meeting with the new executives of the Nigerian Nationals Association (NNA) Madrid, “The relationship between Nigerians and the embassy is that of acrimony and zero tolerance from Nigerians.”

But today, the case is different, the staff attitude towards Nigerians have improved as they have become responsive to Nigerians.

Bianca’s leadership has bridged the gap between the embassy and Nigerians. On arrival, she went on to gather Nigerians, under the umbrella of a united Nigeria,  as a hen would gather her chickens under her protective wings; all the associations, churches and stakeholders that make up the federation of Nigeria in the kingdom of Spain. She highlighted on the need for all to come on board and work as partners to move Nigerians in Spain forward. Whichever occasion she attends she has always urged Nigerians to be one another’s keeper and to always think about home knowing that they are in a foreign land.

This writer, who has been privileged to interact closely with the embassy of recent, has realised that the ambassador is really poised to work for the welfare of Nigerian citizens in the kingdom of Spain. In one of the meetings with the new executives of the NNA, she made it known to the officials that the current group of ambassadors and diplomats have as their priority, the welfare of Nigerians. That the embassy is not just a place to obtain passport but that the main objective is to assure that Nigerians abroad are well taken care of.

This piece will not be complete without mentioning the areas in which she has done well especially with the help of L.D.G. Gboko, one of the most dynamic, seasoned diplomats at the embassy. There is a drastic change and improvement in the attitude and response of the embassy towards Nigerian citizens. The embassy has become more responsive to issues affecting Nigerians, having realised that they are here because we are there. The embassy under the leadership of Bianca Ojukwu, has given a listening ear and shown concern to the plight of distressed Nigerian citizens in Spain. Worthy of mention is the case of Ugochukwu who has languished in such a precarious situation for about three years in Madrid.

This writer drew the attention of the embassy to his predicament and the embassy responded to his plight and made all necessary efforts including undergoing the process of rigorous judicial process on his behalf with the Spanish authority, obtained all the necessary clearance to warrant his deportation to Nigeria. Finally, on August 22, 2013, Ugochukwu was flown home to Nigeria and is now under the custody of his family for rehabilitation.  The ambassador has expressed her concern on the fate of deported Nigerians stating that they should not just be abandoned to rot away especially those that are distressed or has mental problems. She mentioned that the embassy is trying to get agencies to take care of those deported for proper rehabilitation.

Her attention was drawn to the maltreatment and torture of Nigerians on deportation list by the Spanish police. The embassy responded towards that by following up the matter to locate the victims by making investigation up to Nigeria so as to ascertain claims against the Spanish authority on a particular incident that reportedly happened on April 6, 2013 at Madrid Barajas Airport.

On Jun 5, 2013 in Bilbao, Ada Ortuya, a Nigerian lady was murdered by a Spanish Kung Fu martial artist. The embassy intervened into the matter to ensure that justice was done. The Ambassador accompanied by some embassy officials and Nigerian nationals went to the scene of the incident to ensure that justice is applied to the culprit and secure adequate compensation for the girl’s family. And by so doing averted what would have led to a show down between Nigeria nationals in and the Spanish government.

She is handling the police character report issue which has been a bane to Nigerians living in Spain, so as to alleviate the difficulties Nigerians go through to obtain the report.

On Jun 30, 2013 – Madrid Barajas Airport, I was pleased to hear Prof. Malachy Okwueze, who missed the Madrid – Lagos bound flight and it was the same day his visa expired. He expressed satisfaction on the positive response and assistance received on calling the embassy for help. He received a quick response from the embassy which helped to get his problem solved.

Early in the month of August, one self acclaimed Nigerian Bishop in Spain was deported by the Spanish police without due process. The embassy’s attention was drawn to the incident and it waded into the matter, demanding that the Spanish authority should repatriate him back to Spain. And the Spanish government complied and brought him back to Spain. This was the first of its kind in the history of Nigerians living abroad not just in Spain, for a Nigerian to be deported and the embassy intervened for his repatriation. That was a very commendable act as that would help instill a measure of respect before the Spanish authorities who may think that Nigerians are sheep without a shepherd. Passport fees and some consular charges have been reduced for the benefit of the Nigerian citizens in the kingdom of Spain within the period Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu piloted affairs at the embassy. This writer can now walk tall in the streets of Madrid and can boldly say “I am a Nigerian. Gracias to Her Excellency Bianca Ojukwu and her crop of aides at the embassy who can make things work and are making it work in Spain.

•Onuoha, author of The Road We Traveled wrote from Spain.

THE MISERY OF GOV. OSHIOMHOLE OF EDO STATE And His Chairman of Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, Mr. Solomon Ogoh. Election ResultS of Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Chairman of Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, Mr. Solomon Ogoh, who announced the result at about 8 pm, said Oboh scored 12, 672 votes to defeat the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Mr. John Yakubu, who scored 3,314 votes in the rescheduled Chairmanship and councilors elections which held amid tight security.

Reported by SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE of Vanguard Newspapers: October 23, 2013.

Surprisingly, the above announcement was made when the counting was going on at Uromi Police Station and not concluded yet. At conclusion of the counting, the unofficial popular results are as follow. Even the blind knows the winner.

Ward 1

Chairmanship APC=584 PDP=1042
Councillorship APC=583 PDP= 1016
WINNER OF THE COUNCILLORSHIP ELECTION: SAMUEL IGBERAESE

Ward 3

Chairmanship APC= 450 PDP= 1,117
Councillorship APC= 459 PDP= 1095
WINNER OF THE COUNCILLORSHIP ELECTION: LUCKY ISADO

Ward 4

Chairmanship APC= 556 PDP=1201
Councilorship APC=546 PDP= 1222
WINNER OF THE COUNCILLORSHIP ELECTION: GREAT AREBUN

Ward 5

Chairmanship APC=262 PDP=495
Councillor APC=258 PDP497
WINNER OF THE COUNCILLORSHIP ELECTION: JOSEPH UGEGE

Ward 6

Chairmanship APC= 332 PDP=548
Councilorship APC=319 PDP=548
WINNER OF THE COUNCILLORSHIP ELECTION: AICHENEDE SYLVESTER

Ward 7

Chairmanship APC=957 PDP=2043
Councillorship APC= 961 PDP= 2066
WINNER OF THE COUNCILLORSHIP ELECTION: MATTHAIS IGBERAESE

Ward 8

Chairmanship APC = 377 PDP=794
Councilor APC= 402 PDP= 945

Ward 9

Chairmanship APC= 550 PDP=867
Councillorship APC=560 PDP= 863
WINNER OF THE COUNCILLORSHIP ELECTION: ISAAC OWOBU

Ward 10

Chairmanship APC= 1094 PDP= 1,205
Councillorship APC= 1,177 PDP= 1,184
WINNER OF THE COUNCILLORSHIP ELECTION: DAVID ESENEBOR

WINNER OF THE CHAIRMANSHIP ELECTION: JOHN YAKUBU

By Renowned Observers

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM: A CASE FOR UROHI KINGDOM- ESAN WEST LG, EDO STATE

Obue Kennedy Ede

By OBUE, KENNEDY EDE.

What has metamorphosed into restructuring or reforming of the councils today is the hide and seek game over the council by both the Federal and State Government since 1999. In the past four year, the council administration suffered instability and arbitrary dissolution of elected Government to assure exclusive responsibility to reform the councils, which is a grassroots affair, is an erosion of the last vestiges of our federalism. By the provision of the 1999 constitution, elections ought to have been held into the councils since May 2002. This clearly a subversion of the constitution. The subsisting law is being ignored with impunity, in anticipation of reforms still in the work.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

It is generally agreed that any attempt to review and reform politics and governance at the local level in Nigeria should, or must, be conceptualized in a proper appreciation of the historical evolution of the structures and process of local governance and the inherent contradictions.

Which have been imbedded in the evolution of politics and local government in Nigeria, namely; 

The colonial period (1900-1960)
The Post –Colonial period (1960 – 1966)
The period under military rule (1967 – 1975)
The period since 1976, when the substantive reform, which main features have prevailed to date, was introduced.

In the colonial period the major attributes of local government structures and processes are as follows:

Utilization of local institutions primary for resources mobilization and utilization to serve colonial interest and objectives.
Local government was not essentially democratic or primary people, and development oriented. It was hinged on the administrative capacity of authoritarian traditional institution to provide law and order, as well as minimum basic services that facilitated the pursuit of British colonial interest and objectives.
Thus, the Local government system during this period relied on traditional authoritarian structures and processes for its sustenance.

During the post-colonial period, the Local government system remained essential undemocratic, with essential appointed staff, and with strong influence and role of traditional authorities. The major distinguishing characteristics of this period, however, are as follows
Diversity, rather than uniformity, of the system of Local government, as each region pursued reforms and policies in the context of the dictates of their Local circumstances.
Relative’s financial autonomy, from both the regional and national governments.
Greater, autonomous roles in Local and community development, in addition to the preoccupation with security, Law and order, and 
Greater roles for traditional authorizes, but with reformed structures and processes meant to ensure accountability and more efficient utilization of resources.

THE CONTEXT

The roots of the current Local government system can be traced on the 1976 Local government reforms, which introduced a uniform Local government in the country.
Although there have been some far reaching structural and organizational changes since the, the main features, of the system introduced in 1976 survive to date. Among such key features are;

The single tier structure,
The personal system
The fiscal transfer system and functions, and 
Patterns (or lack) of downward accountability.

The need for reform in 1976 was based on the obvious incapacity of Local government to deliver basic services to citizens. Mo0st local governments could not provide any services or pay staff salaries then because their internally generated revenue were meager and state government’s grants were discretionary and irregular. Besides, following the first military take-over of government in 1966, some local functions (e.g Police, Prisons, Judiciary, Education, Forestry, etc) were taken over by higher levels of governments.

In addition, changes were made to the Personal system to improve their executive capacity, while altering the relationship between elected Local officials and traditional rulers to completely secularize authority at the Local level.

The concept of Local government behind the reform was to institutionalize a system of democratically elected local government in which the principles of subsidiary, determined the services to be delivered and Local citizens held their leaders accountable through elections. Held triennially.

The brief sketch of the context of Local government administration is meant to sensitize us to some of the prevailing dynamics of interstate and intergovernmental relations and contradictions associated with them, which have shaped and still shape local government administration in Nigeria and which have given rise to the current impetus for reform.

The paradox now is that as important as the Local government system is the Nigerian context, it has failed to function appropriately and serve the needs and aspirations of the people in services providing and satisfactions of basic needs.

It has also failed to be really democratic and broadly participatory. Essential due to their incapacity to satisfy the needs and aspirations of Nigerian. Local government have instead of brining government nearer to the people for grassroots’ development, but succeeded in making government so far from the ordinary man in the village.

This fist was not only accomplished by the elected officers only, but with those who are supposed to use their wisdom to select candidates for local government pool, not as a result of first class in academic studies, but the ability for the candidate to channel the collective destiny of the people he represented, through collective investment in his talent by giving him mandate to represent their interest in the local government council.

MY OBSERVATION

Owing to the foregoing in the Local government administration in Nigeria, and having deep thought into the Nigeria Political climate, you will discovered that it is not only for self gratifications, which requires, both those who mentally and physical retardate, but with those who are intelligent, mental and physically stable, who may not necessarily seek self-gratification, also seek to protect, preserve and promote the welfares of his people and the nation in general.

You find out to be able to do this Herculean task, it requires, an investment, in academically sound mind, hoping to meet people who constitute the physical government, who are either more intelligent than him or those he is more intelligent than to deliberate on issues that affect the generality of the constituency and how fund allocated to the various constituency, will be appropriated. 

If members of the government, for his constructive policy statements and prudential argument when the need arise, recognize him, he will not only take the constituency he represent to a greater political height, but also put his constituency on the notice, to greater government authorizes, for meaningful development.

In essence therefore, the reasons for this developmental agenda for this great community is to spy into Federal government, local government reforms across the country. From all intent and purpose, paying attentions to the various discussion that have been held by the technical committee on the local government reforms, which will give more autonomy and powers to traditional institutions within the Local government councils in area of policy making and formulations.

Before we can successfully harness the benefits of a well granded political development in our community, education must be a thing that has to be given priority attention, otherwise, we will definitely not, find ourselves not suitable in the wheel of advancement that is moving not only in a geometric speed, but with high technological advancement, that is taken place in the globe. By minutes.

Application for positions, either in political party, congressional election or to represent us as a result of political appointment or pool elections, should have not only basic education, but an education that can cope with the prevailing today’s circumstances, having the aspirations of the people he represent upper most in his or her heart, and having insight into the world above his dwellings.

MY IDEALS

I would like to draw our attentions, to our boundaries along communities like Egoro-naka, Ebudin, Ojogba, Uhomode local govt. areas of our border line etc. Making out the boundaries within those borderlines, making all necessary judicial and legal documents to convey it. With or without the collaborations of the local government, we should be above to have an up-date geographical map of Urohi, having a glass copy of it, in the Palace of His Royal Highness, which is subject to review as boundaries adjust. It will interest you to note that natural resources like crude oil, copper, gold, boxonite, iron and zinc are mainly deposited along, creeks. The facts that they are not found yet may not necessarily means that, they are not present in our creek, along Idudun Camp, Oviawe Camp etc, but their maturity to a harness able state is a matter of time.

This ideas becomes imperatives, because no sooner natural resources are discovered comes boundary disputes, before we begin to talk of ceasing of our border line, or our boundaries to other neighboring communities, which may lead to inter or intra community melchanloy, who maybe aware or the benefit and political attention of such discovering could bring about in the land of the community were they are found, and may want to take advantage of it. These issues should be considered with utmost seriousness.

It is dishearten to note that, our few educated citizen has concentrated attention on Local Government administration as the last resort for a community, whose population is well closed to 15,000 people or more, not only to alleviate poverty, but as a source of liberating them, and those who aspire to this local government position has so narrow their thinking and mind towards the people they represented, without expanding their view to reaching out for both governmental and non-governmental agencies that has initiative of alleviating poverty and good health delivery to the people of Africa in general and Nigeria in particulars.

I will like to state her that Urohi is a part and parcel; of the geographical expression that made up of Nigeria. Suffice to mention the activities of USAID, with the training of well over 5,000 Home Care Giver, and well over 10,000 volunteers spread across villages and hamlets in Nigeria is to

Ensure the provision of NAFDAC registered vaccine to rural dwellers
Educate our old Mothers who illiterate on both the administration of drugs for nursing babies and aged adolescents
The danger inherent on drug abuses and the benefits of sex education to our teens
The importance and benefits of good and qualitative educations
The effect of HIV/AIDS and their relationship with poverty
Ensure children are developed from childhood to adulthood, through balance emotional, psychological and physical upbringing, where Urohi as community in the Nigeria map, should have benefited, if efficient human resources managers are available to represent us in the local government. This is by no way an indictment. 

However, to reaching out to the agencies, I must confess, did not need to pass through the administration of the Local personnel to meet them, but all it takes, is to be mandated by the people who wish to represent, either as a Local Government Councilors, or as any government appointed personality, using that profile as a government official, from a constituency with less government attention to reaching out to these agencies who are ready to come to your constituency to see the situation on ground and take immediate actions. 

This method, as a matter of honesty has saved the life of people and alleviated their poverty situations in some part of the Country, which for record purpose I wouldn’t want to mention, and other communities, who have these understanding. are either executing or planning to follow same procedures enumerated above to reaching out for social, economical and political development of their community, thereby bringing about modern liberation process in the new world or communities that has less government attention to feel the benefit of today’s democracy.

Regrettably, from the period of colonial era up till these days, there has not be a concise, determinable, and unweaving tendencies from the part of our representatives or elected individual into offices that has be constitutional provided for us as a people, to tackle the idea of good governance or expansion of the Project was last talked about during the week days of Chief J. I Erhunwnsee, Mr. B.O Ebata ( Mr. S. I. Ebughe of blessed memories) and the host of others who have in one time or other played a pivotal role in this regard.

I would like to remind you that these are political and development agenda, which form all intent and purpose, could keep an elected or appointed officer representing the Kingdom to be so busy in the office, so as to attract both the local government council, where he is a member, or the State will eventually attract Federal Government attention who has in the recent time, showed great interest in the seismology of areas with enough deposit of solid minerals in Nigeria with the view of harness them, where they are found.

Taking a mental survey, without the use of kaleidoscope or Atlas machine, you will smell and feel the deposit of Uranium, Gold, Iron Ore, Zinc and possible oil along the creeks of Obadie Forest, Oviawele Camp and Idundun Camp, undoubtedly have these mineral resources in abundant in the soil. Suffice to mention here the boundaries between Urohi and Obagie cannot be confidently determined by the councilors, or any government appointee representing of boundaries adjustment and measurement , rather, they see political appointment and electioneering process as a way of earmarking, even before the commencement of their without regard to the welfare of the citizens they seek to represent.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In his broadcast to the people of Nigeria to mark its 42nd Independence Anniversary last year. President Olusegun Obasanjo gave the three levels of development democracy as:
1. Materials Democracy
2. Institutional Democracy
3. And Super Structural Democracy

One thing is definite about these levels and that is, that the three are inter-related. They draw their strength from one another. The truth about these three levels of democracy however is that is cannot be said especially at which of the levels does a nations, state, local government or communities excels.

Attempting to elaborate on his postulations, President Obasanjo described the components of each levels as:
1. Material or infrastructural level: A system of production, distribution and exchange; 
2. Institutional level: A system of institutions, organization, the procedural mechanisms (political party system, the media, civil society and civil services) and 
3. Super structural level: A system of social relations, culture, values, and the totality of interpersonal relationships within our society.

In a nutshell, all President Obasanjo was trying to say was how the factors above could be applied to build a solid base for democracy to thrived in the country.
In short, the factors that determine the survival and growth of any democratic culture include all of the ones listed by President Obasanjo and supported by the peculiarities of our national experience.

The problems of democracy in Nigeria and in fact to the kingdom of Urohi cannot be limited to just the factor above, but could take their bearing form all of them. Nonetheless, the central impediment to the growth of democracy is the inability of the founders of our democracy to fashion a system that could adapt to our local environment.

I wish to state, though regrettably, that Urohi would have made more impressive strides if our politicians had played the game according to the rules. Disrespect for the rule of law breeds anarchy and this often attracts politic of bitterness, not politic of looking carefully for an individual who can volunteer to take the collective destiny of the people of Urohi to the doorstep of the government for development purpose.

MY BELIEF

What I advocated, is that politicians and political office holders should show obedience to the reality on ground in Urohi, as to the indigent nature of our community, the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Political Parties mainfesto and the rule of law for the sake of possible political liberation of our people and community at large, peace, security and good governance.

In the last few years of Urohi’s democracy, issues that has featured prominently is agitation by some group of people who for selfish interest, wanted or have dictated the political pace of the community to sooth their personal aggrandizement or selfish egotism.

These social problems, I believe, can still be addressed if we decided to take our destiny in our hands. Be reminded that elective or appointed positions in the political hierarchy, is not to make money, though the elected officer or the appointee is supposed to earn salaries and wages for the job he or she is doing for his or her community, but I believe politician should concentrate more on the call to services and carry the destiny of those he represent to a high esteem, as the primary aim of this calling, rather than, before the election or appointment, he had already earmarked a piece of plot, where likely he will build his house or already have an understanding with some car mart on the kind of car, he would want to buy as long as the tenure lasted.

My worry is that unless something drastic is done, our community will continue to drift endlessly. The high incidence of disruptions in our social system since the inception of our new democracy is a sign of the times.

Up to date, there have been non-availability of sound educational materials in our only educational institutions which was made possible by Chief Prof. Ambrose Alli of blessed memories, not because we had a representative in the government then, but because we were then living in a democratic era just as we have not and people were clamouring for more schools, and Urohi was considered. Let us assume that, Urohi Secondary School is within the exlusive list of the State Government.

Our health centres, which is the primary responsibilities of the Local Council to maintain has not only suffered neglect, the physical structures that make up the health cetnres are facing extinction. Suffice to state, there are young graduate who are Medical Doctors, either on horsemanship or on national Youth Service Corps that needed to be deployed form their orientation camps to communities like ours for their primary areas of assignment, with all necessary incentives and encouragement form our leaders, whether political or community leaders, to at least administer First Aid treatment to sick people before they can be taken to Ekpoma, which is 18km away from our village. Thank God for His mercies.

Even though in every democracy, being an institution that engenders competition for power, there are bound to be conflicts. But how the conflicts are managed makes the whole difference. It has been identified that the father of al the ills that plague our young democracy is corruption. Corruption is a monster that ravages the Nigerian state without mercy. Though there has been a heightened war against the scourge, little has been achieve.

The future for democracy is bright and we are ready to work to defend it. We need the support of this august people who is reading this my view points to move swiftly to arrest this ugly trends, that is not only detrimental to our academics, social, economic, political and even our scientific awareness as to the necessary THINGS THAT are needed to moving our community forward.

If an urgent action is not taken to stop this scourge, sooner than later, we will not only be a political dumping ground for people like Ekpoma or Co. I can assure you, the political destiny of Urohi might be bargain for a price in Ekpoma and Co for big money. I mean very soon.

May I however, emphasize that despite the difficulties that face our new democracy there is still hope in the horizon. Urohi as an autonomous community has been bless by God and endowed her with abundant human and material resources but painfully, today, Urohi has more than 5,000 graduate out of an estimated population of about 15,000 people or less yet still ranks among the poorest community in EsanWest in particular and the State in general.

Nonetheless, this will depend, to a large extent on effective and committed leadership that has been the bane of our development since our political era. Once the problem of leadership is solved, no doubt, Urohi will be on the threshold of making history. Our present democracry is bound to succed, because there is a greater awareness on the part of the stakeholders to make it work.

As a prominent player in democratic process inUrohi, I am in the forefront of the crusade for social change and equity. I have waged a fierce battle against Ward II those days and those in Ekpoma, and those ills that have held our community prostrate I have done this at risk of my life, in the belief that no sacrifice is too much to make for your people.

It behooves on some international agencies non-governmental, non-profit making agencies and other advanced nations to assist Nigeria to make her democracy work. The greatest danger to democracy in Nigeria is the crave for wealth by leaders, and to this end, the leaders in Urohi has wittingly or unwittingly join the train of money politics and the syndrome of winners takes it all, without sparing a thought on how to develop the intellect to create more wealth. Creation of wealth goes in line with intellectual capacity.

It is the absence of moral integrity coupled with the low-level of political educating among the electorate that has worsened the tendency on the part of elected leaders to divert resources meant for the uplifting of the lives of the citizenry to personal uses without accountability to the people you seek to represent, sentencing us electorates, by fate to the devious machinations of a horde of horribly egoistic, shallow-minded political actors, who have held us hostage in the past.

Politicians should know that by voting them into power, the electorates have powered them to manage their collective destiny as a people. For this reason, they ensure that they discharge their mandate dutifully and transparently.
Honestly, I doubt if the exploited majority of our community, could ever fully appreciated the very stakes involved by allowing political office holders to rule, as they like. Though, it was an aberration to talk of good government, when we are just learning the rudiment of democracy in the last four years, but I can speak with utmost finality, that if we practice madness with four years, how long then will it take it jump into the market place.

MY SUGGESTIONS

• In regard to the future of development in Urohi, we must close rank and join hands in the task of building a strong, united, virile and an indivisible community. Sons and daughter of Urohi must come together and work together harmoniously to build a purposeful and prosperous community, which will, sooner or later dictate the political pace of Esanwest for her intellectual contributions to policy statements in the locality.

• We risk administrative brain drain, if she is not posited now, towards restructuring, because communities in Nigeria today or the world over are moving from exclusion to inclusion