Connect with us

News

Edo 2024: Time to End the Hopeless and Helpless Technocratic and MoU Mirage,

Published

on

Edo 2024: Time to End the Hopeless and Helpless Technocratic and MoU Mirage,

By Augustine Osayande

As the Edo 2024 elections approach, there is a growing call to move beyond the current technocratic leadership and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that have dominated the developmental space of the state in the past eight years. Many critics, including this writer, have long argued that the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki failed to deliver meaningful progress for the state. The so-called technocratic and MoU approach has become a mirage, offering promises of development that remain unfulfilled for the people of Edo State.
As Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tenure draws to a close, the people of Edo State are left with a pressing question: what were the tangible outcomes of the numerous MoUs signed during his administration?
One notable MoU was with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) for the development of the Gelegele Seaport and other transport infrastructure. This ambitious project promised to be a game-changer for Edo’s economy by enhancing the state’s connectivity and boosting trade. Yet, the public remains eager to see whether these promises have translated into visible progress or if they remain unfulfilled aspirations.
Similarly, the partnership with Sunora Foods was heralded as a transformative initiative aimed at attracting $100 million in foreign direct investment and creating 25,000 jobs. This MoU raised h4opes for significant agro-economic development. However, it is crucial for Edo citizens to assess whether these projections have materialized into real opportunities for employment and economic growth in the state.
Another significant MoU was signed with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) to improve healthcare delivery. Healthcare is a critical area of public concern, and the impact of this agreement on the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in Edo is something that residents will undoubtedly scrutinize.
The MoU with Oando Clean Energy Limited for the deployment of electric buses to enhance the state’s transportation system was a bold step towards sustainable development. Yet, with Obaseki’s tenure ending, there is a lingering question of whether these green initiatives have taken root or if they remain at the planning stage.
In the agricultural sector, the MoU with Heifer International Ltd and Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Ltd aimed to boost the poultry value chain in Edo. This initiative was expected to enhance food security and create jobs, but how far these goals have been met remains to be seen.
Edo State’s partnership with SIEMENS for economic development, and the tripartite deal involving the Chinese Government and Yongxing Steel Company to bolster vocational and technical education, were both touted as forward-thinking initiatives designed to strengthen the state’s human capital and industrial base. However, Edo citizens are still waiting to see the concrete benefits of these partnerships.
The agreement with Radisson Hotel Group for a N19.6 billion world-class hotel project promised to enhance the state’s hospitality industry and attract tourism. The potential for economic growth through such investments is immense, but residents are eager to know if these projects are on track or have stalled.
Furthermore, the MoU with EHA Clinics to improve primary healthcare delivery and the partnership with LAPO Microfinance Bank for the disbursement of N300 million to MSMEs across the 18 Local Government Areas were both aimed at uplifting the socio-economic standards of the state. As Obaseki’s administration concludes, the effectiveness and reach of these initiatives will likely be a key measure of his legacy.
Ultimately, while Governor Obaseki’s administration has signed numerous MoUs with the promise of transformative change across various sectors, the real test lies in the execution and visible outcomes of these agreements. As Edo State looks towards the future, its citizens deserve a transparent assessment of these initiatives to understand their true impact on the state’s development.
With few days to the end of Obaseki’s eight-year administration, it is crystal clear that this model has not effectively addressed the fundamental challenges facing the state, such as poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and poor public services. The technocratic governance has resulted in policies that are disconnected from the realities of everyday citizens, creating a sense of hopelessness and helplessness among the populace.
Another prominent characteristic of the outgoing Obaseki administration has been the reluctance of many Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Advisers (SAs) to recognize that good governance and quality leadership are not bound by political party lines. Instead of embracing constructive criticism as a tool for improvement, these officials often resort to dismissive behavior, targeting those who offer guidance or critique.
This approach fails to acknowledge a fundamental truth: effective governance benefits everyone, not just members of a specific political party. When a government prioritizes the delivery of democratic dividends—such as improved infrastructure, better public services, robust economic growth, and enhanced living standards—the positive impact is felt across the entire population, transcending party affiliations.
Good governance is about serving the public interest and meeting the needs of the people, regardless of their political leanings. By fostering an environment where all feedback is valued and constructive dialogue is encouraged, leaders can drive forward policies and initiatives that truly serve the common good. It is essential for future administrations to recognize that inclusive leadership and accountability are key pillars of sustainable development, and that true success in governance is measured by the tangible improvements in the lives of all citizens, not just those who support a particular political ideology.
The call is now for a shift towards leadership that prioritizes inclusivity, grassroots engagement, and a people-centered approach, where decisions are made with direct input from the communities they affect. This change is seen as essential to break free from the cycle of unmet promises and to pave the way for a more hopeful and prosperous future for Edo State. Look
As Edo State gears up for the 2024 elections, the debate continues over the best path forward—whether to maintain the status quo or to embrace a new direction that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of its citizens. The call to end the “hopeless and helpless technocratic mirage” is a rallying cry for those seeking a leadership that not only speaks of change but delivers it in tangible, impactful ways.


Augustine Osayande PhD contributed this piece from Abuja via austinelande@yahoo.com

Edo 2024: Time to End the Hopeless and Helpless Technocratic and MoU Mirage,

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Ex-NGF Coordinator Onaiwu urges support for NSA security direction

Published

on

Ex-NGF Coordinator Onaiwu urges support for NSA security direction

By: Michael Mike

A former coordinator of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has called on the political class across party lines to support ongoing security efforts of the federal government.

Onaiwu in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday noted that insecurity is colour blind, has no party affiliation and was religious neutral, therefore, the need for politicians to eschew partisan slant on security matters.

He cautioned that failure by the political elite to support the fight against insecurity leading to several ungoverned spaces could disrupt elections, stressing that except there is a country, then elections are guaranteed.

The former NGF coordinator particularly commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his coordination and strategic efforts in streamlining security policies and engagements in tackling insecurity.

According to him, the recent delivery of military hardware by the United States Government to Nigeria is a demonstration that the NSA was working and his recent foray to the U.S. is yielding the desired results.

“The season requires patriots and this means that irrespective of party affiliations, every politician worth his name needs to support ongoing security efforts as coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

“Insecurity is colour blind, has no party affiliation, it is religious blind and those not respect societal status. Therefore, Nigerians, especially our political class, should lend their support, proffer solutions and galvanise the people to back the government’s security initiatives.

“Only on Tuesday, the federal government received critical military hardware from the United States Government. This is cheering and it shows that the NSA’s recent visit to the United States and the subsequent hosting of delegations in the country is bearing the desired results.

“Also, renewed military and police onslaughts against terrorists and bandits show that the federal government is taking the fight to those who are intent on denying us our peace and well-being.

“The least we can do as citizens is to support the government, provide real time intelligence from our communities and do not engage in fake news on social media against government’s efforts,” Onaiwu stated.

He further called on governors to match the energy of the federal government by supporting the NSA to address the various security challenges in their states as well as continued logistics and equipment to the military and police.

Ex-NGF Coordinator Onaiwu urges support for NSA security direction

Continue Reading

News

Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case

Published

on

Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case

By: Michael Mike

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is facing possible committal to prison following contempt proceedings initiated over an alleged failure to comply with a Federal High Court order relating to the abduction and disappearance of Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie.

The action was instituted by legal counsel to Mr. Anozie’s wife, Mr. Vincent Adodo, who accused the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the IGP of willfully disobeying a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 24, 2025.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025 between Mrs. Nnenna Anozie v. Inspector General of Police, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the IGP to produce for prosecution operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) alleged to have abducted Mr. Anozie from his Lekki residence in Lagos on June 15, 2017.

The court also directed the police authorities to forward the investigation report and legal advice on the matter to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for appropriate action.

The court further awarded ₦2 million in damages against the IGP for failing to respond to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Mrs. Anozie seeking details of investigations into her husband’s disappearance.

The SARS operatives listed in the judgment include officers attached to the former SARS unit in Akwuzu, Anambra State, who were accused of involvement in the alleged abduction.

According to court documents, despite being served with the judgment in October 2025, the IGP has neither complied with the orders of the court nor paid the damages awarded. This development prompted Mrs. Anozie’s legal team to initiate contempt proceedings by serving the IGP with Form 48 (Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order) and Form 49 (Notice of Committal to Correctional Centre).

The applicant is now seeking an order of court committing the IGP to Kuje Correctional Centre until he complies fully with the judgment.

The motion for contempt has been scheduled for hearing on February 9, 2025, before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official response to the contempt proceedings.

Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case

Continue Reading

News

VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem

Published

on

VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem

Urges African entrepreneurs to close ranks to fully harness continent’s huge potentials

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has lauded the transformative impact of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the global entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem that has raised over $1.5 billion dollars and created over 30,000 direct jobs in 20 years.

He, however, urged African entrepreneurs to close ranks in order to fully harness the continent’s huge potentials, leveraging MIT’s resource mobilization network and job creation opportunities.

The Vice President made the remarks on Wednesday when he received a delegation from Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025-2026 led by MIT’s Executive Director for the Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, Dina Sherif, on a courtesy visit at the presidential villa.

Senator Shettima called for unity of purpose among African professionals and entrepreneurs, saying “Africa is the new frontier and future belongs to the continent but its people must unite to transform potentials into tangible results that impact lives and livelihoods.

“Africa is blessed with enormous human and material resources but its people must fuse into one to benefit from the tremendous opportunities that abound across the continent,” he added.

He disclosed that Nigeria President Bola Tinubu is daring to leverage available opportunities to transform the entire economy, noting that “President Tinubu is not afraid of taking bold decisions that will reposition Nigeria’s economy and better the lives of the livelihoods of the people.”

Earlier in her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sherif, said the delegation was at the Presidential Villa to brief the Vice President on the activities of MIT’s Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, assuring that the Centre is dedicated to “fueling the engine of entrepreneurship across the world”.

She noted that the team was in Nigeria in view of the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship programme, which, according to her, has helped to entrench the spirit of entrepreneurship across the continent.

Sherif underscored the significance of collaboration among African startups, noting that Nigeria is a leading country, as evidenced in the progress recorded by startups across the continent.

She further assured of improved support for African-based startups from the centre through its various initiatives.

Also present at the meeting with the Vice President were the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, and some fellows of the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025 – 2026 Session across Africa.

VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights