Kelly O. Udebhulu: A Motivational New Breed Aspirant with Vision.

Kelly O. Udebhulu

By Aigbe Osalobo.

“Real democracy is a process by which the people are free to choose the person who will get the blame”.-Kelly O. Udebhulu.

Even as the Edo State Government is yet to fix the exact date for the forthcoming council elections in the state, some few chairmanship and councillorship aspirants in Edo state have indicated interest to contest for the political offices respectively.

Though, each party is yet to conduct its primaries to nominate the rightful candidates to contest for the election. In Esan west local government precisely, Kelly O. Udebhulu has fully indicated interest to contest in the forthcoming council elections as chairman.

According to one of the powerful and prominent Nigeria political leaders in the local government expressed optimism to our correspondents at a gathering in Benin city recently that Kelly O. Udebhulu has duly paid his dues to serve the council. He has respect for political leaders and ready to work with the people in all ramifications. He is resourceful and productive. He is a promising young man.

In an interview granted on international- based Newspaper (Loudnewstoday) by Johnson Osagie, Udebhulu said his cardinal points would be on education, health, security, youth empowerment and infrastructure.

Gone are the days when aspirants make many promises after being elected, he or she turns into tiger and makes more political enemies than fulfilling promises at campaign grounds.

My point here is that Kelly O. Udebhulu has made his political manifestos clear to everyone if elected; he must fulfill all his promises and must be accountable to equitable leadership that represents all groups in the local government. Politics in Edo central is no longer as usual as it was 6 years ago where candidates are handpicked without integrity.

Aigbogun Joshua says “A leader is a leader in hope”. Kelly Udebhulu is the chairmanship aspirant whose leadership aspiration is full of hope if elected but generally politicians are unpredictable and capricious when it comes to political power. But Udebhulu has assured all supporters if elected, accessibility would never be a problem to anyone in the local government.

Again, Kelly O. Udebhulu is a grassroots product ready to upgrade the Esan west council leadership coupled with his sound international and political exposure if elected.

Finally, voters must shine their eyes to vote candidates with enviable records in the local government. It is not about wealth, fame, money but people-oriented programmes should be initiated by any candidate voted into power. Tribal politics, nepotism, favoritism and misplaced priority must be eliminated from the mindset of Edo central politicians.

The Sin of "Atalefoh" & Aftermaths of "In-House Blame Game" among Esan Politicians.

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

When a man's values in life are dictated by his belly, he becomes the lowliest of slaves. This reminds me of the very moving statement which I am now forced to drag out of the pages of history.

"I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves" - Harriet Tubman.

The question now is: *are Esan politicians enslaved by their quest for political places and economic significance in their fatherland or the developmental stride in Esanland is enslaved?
Yes, arrows and swords are being thrown at any person who dares deviate from tradition of "Atalefoh" ( Thou had concluded it already ) and "that is how it is played" philosophy. If things were working smoothly in the land, would there be a cry of self-inflicted marginalization by the Edo central people? If no, the next question is what are the problems? So in proffering a solution, the cry should not be blaming people from the north or the south but those inside with a readiness to deal with it. I mean the real issue. True change starts from within. We must overcome the enemies within before going out.

I' m yet to see handbills/flyers, and oh, yes, am yet to hear jingles on radio/tv, or anywhere of our people being taught about the ills of selfish interests in politics or condemning the terror of witch-hunting against perceived enemies from Esanland. The political tradition of our people should be redirected. I keep saying it but we are not listening. Why do we hate ourselves so much?

Even outside the sphere of politics. I listen to complains always that some Esan people have this thing when their brethren meets them outside where they hold sway and greets them in Esan language, they respond if at all in English. Some Esan persons do not care about brethren's feeling and would rather bypass his qualified Esan person for someone elsewhere as if they were competing. Meanwhile other tribes respond favorably towards their own even when they do not qualify. This is a bad disease that needs curing and in politics is it not very crucially needed!

In my observations, party affiliation sentiments override our local, and intrinsic interests. Today, Esanland is fragile, disintegrated by selfish and divisive party affiliations that have no benefits to Esan people.

In our political tradition, every politician has the right to invest into his political future. Politics is the game of power, you must fight to earn it. Do we have Esan politicians that are ready to genuinely serve Esan people as late Prof. Ambrose Alli did then? Yes, Esan land has produced quality leaders in the past and would produce more of this kind now and in the future. Amen.

Yes! I am fully aware and conscious of the facts that Esan is in a period of diminishing returns, it is a normal life circle. We dominated the political space for some times, and sadly, it only benefited few individuals. We shall rebound soon and this time deliver good to and for our people. Esan people are like the Israelites surrounded by Arabs. In a nation of 180 million people, Esan people are only around Seven Hundred Thousand. It is like a single rose growing amongst millions of roses. In the midst of millions of voices there is a tiny Esan voice but always heard neat and clear. How will this voice be heard without been overshadowed or silent by hundreds of voices of other tribes which Esans people peacefully co-exist with? A misery that neighbors must fight to unfold but remember destiny can hardly been destroyed except God has hands in it.

The recent impeachment videos of two Esan speakers within  months stressed the arrow to that self-inflicted marginalization, and I know hope would only come if we learn from this present ugly scenario that witch-hunting and degrading genuine Esan persons’ morale and psyche will not serve any useful purpose now or in the near future, rather we should immediately strategize to break the present isolationist path we have ignorantly chosen to take these while. We should learn to live together and avoid politics of backstabbing, bitterness, rancour, vendetta and greed.

I know we can overcome if we want to halt neighbors` sinister plans to isolate Edo central;

"When oppressed people willingly accept their oppressor they only serve to give the oppressor a convenient justification for his acts. Often the oppressor goes along unaware of the evil involved in his oppression so long as the oppressed accept it. So in order to be true to one’s conscience and true to God, a righteous man has no alternative but to refuse to cooperate with an evil system:” Martin Luther King Jr.

Thank you..

BIRTHDAY: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MENTOR, LEADER AND FRIEND, ARC. AUSTIN ILENRE EMUAN.

Arc. Emuan

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

Happy birthday to the most amazing man in the world! Arc. Austin Ilenre Emuan ( MNIA). You are such an amazing friend, mentor, and brother and I am so lucky to be able to look up to you for inspiration and encouragement!

But this day of your birthday, I see you as friend. who is a friend?  A person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.

Apart from being my friend, Arc. Emuan occupies multiple positions in my life. He is also my mentor and my leader. By mentor, I mean that I am constantly learning from him. Indeed, in my adult life, there are many scholars or intellectuals who have had direct influence on my intellectual and moral development. Apart from being my friend, Arc. Emuan occupies multiple positions in my life. He is also my mentor and my leader. By mentor, I mean that I am constantly learning from him. Indeed, in my adult life, there are many scholars or intellectuals who have had direct influence on my intellectual and moral development.

Among those that I regard as my mentors, leaders and senior friends that scored above 100 percentage at my "life examination hall of fame" is Arc. Austin Ilenre Emuan who is a Chartered Architect and Development Expert by profession.

Arc. Emuan

Arc. Emuan continues to do the best within his capacity for humanity hence I refer to Arc. Emuan`s qualities in the present continuous tense. It is not to my credit that I associate closely with Arc. Emuan. Rather, it is to Arc. Emuan’s generosity, nobility and humility that he and I are friends. He is a leader that I can trust and vouch for. He is well principled and highly disciplined, and would not allow personal or pecuniary interests to compromise his values.

He is a courageous person too and would not hesitate to offend you if hearing the truth offends you. He has, to my knowledge, given up or passed on many opportunities for financial rewards just in order to protect his integrity and sense of justice and fairness.

To my mentor, leader and friend, I hope this day brings you as much joy! Thanks for always being such an inspiration to those around you, and always loving people for who they are!

Happy birthday!

From Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.
Chairmanship Aspirant, Esan West L. G.
Edo State.

Politics: There would be a call for strategies to reduce unemployments among our youths-Udebhulu.

Kelly O. Udebhulu

EKPOMA-In an interview with newsmen at Ekpoma yesterday, Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu, the Esan west local government chairmanship aspirant, a community crusader, a winner, humble and respectful gentleman, revealed to our correspondents that his administration would be fantastic in terms of innovative policies that are positively productive and people oriented.

The supportive youths, women and elders that rally round this gentleman and his innovative drive and strategies to develop Esan west as revealed during our visit to his residence coupled with his international exposure and connections, send enough signals that Esan West has indeed arrived to get Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu as the messiah to re-positioned the council to its place of pride in Nigeria. Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu hails from Urohi community, in Esan west local government of Edo state. In our interview with him, he shows that he is a good listener, hates thuggery, proudness, over-zealousness, welcomes ideas from people and accommodating.

In his words;

"When my administration takes office, a new set of leaders will drive the Esan West Local Government innovation agenda. These leaders will build significant progress and road map, overcome continued challenges in modernizing technology infrastructure, enact flexible policies and regulations, and build innovation leadership and skills in Esan West Local Government workforce." He promised.

He revealed further that the economic development of Esan west local government would be driven by people oriented programmes.

"I shall call for enhanced economic growth that could be achieved by the “promotion of competition, entrepreneurship and innovation."

On a serious note, the unemployment rates which solemnly worries him even as he spoke to newsmen would be reduced to its lowest minimum if voted into power.

"There shall also be a call for strategies to reduce unemployment, particularly amongst youth, through the “encouragement of entrepreneurship.

"This desire to stimulate economic and job growth via the application of entrepreneurship and innovation will be Esan West Local Government's common government policies." He  concluded.