FROM THE GRASSROOT - Benue State: Hon. James Obonyilo Organizes Forum

Obonyilo, Supervisory Councilor for Works & Housing

It was at the Ipole Otukpa’s secretariat of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Ai-Oodo ward II, where the Member of Ogbadibo Executive Council and the Supervisory Councilor for Works and Housing, Hon. James Obonyilo organized a social function for all the stakeholders in Ai-Oodo wards I and II on 27th July 2013.

The forum was indeed a gathering of the cream la cream in Ogbadibo politics from both state and local government levels. The function also witnessed

turnout from various walks of life with women and youths dominating the arena.

During his address of welcome, Hon. James Obonyilo said the forum was organized to purely interact with the good people of Ai-Oodo and to possibly chart the course of moving the district to enviable height.

Hon. Obonyilo also used the occasion to thank the people of Ai-Oodo for giving him the opportunity to serve at the local government council and solicited for their moral supports and prayers for him to succeed in the office.

In his keynote address, the leader of PDP at the state level and the representative of the deputy Governor at the function, Prince Gabriel Obekpa expressed dissatisfaction over the activities of some leaders in Ai-Oodo wards I and II.

According to him, “the leadership of Ai-Oodo wards I and II have not been carrying people along, this has resulted to the disunity and factions here and there in both wards”. He therefore called on the leaders to harmonize their differences so that there would be peace, unity and tranquility in Ai-Oodo.

In their separate remarks, Hon. James Agada and Hon. Simon Ogwuche, councilors representing Ai-Oodo wards I and II respectively also echoed the voice of Prince Obekpa. They both spoke on the need to restore peace and unity to the entire Ai-Oodo, arguing that no district can progress when the leaders are not united.

The Director of Media and Publicity, Government House Makurdi, Mr. James Uloko also spoke on the need for the leaders in Ai-Oodo to be united. “Ai-Oodo is the foundation of PDP in Ogbadibo LGA, the First LG chairman of the party is from here, the current LG chairman of the party is also from here, the state exco of PDP and the deputy Governor are all from Ai-Oodo. If Ai-Oodo people want the party to stand it will stand and if they want it to collapse it will definitely collapse”, Mr. Uloko said.

Mr. Uloko who is an indigene of Olaochagbaha district however expressed optimism about the young and progressive crops of politicians that are coming up from Ai-Oodo saying he has no regrets about them.

There was however a mild drama when a social activist and President of Ogbadibo Democratic Congress, Mr. Sunday Itodo took the floor to address the low level of development in Ai-Oodo. The young activist observed that the leaders are not only unfriendly among themselves; they are also not using their offices and enormous political connections to influence development to the land.

Mr. Itodo argued that despite the big names from Ai-Oodo, the land still remains the same. “Imagine there are students who are complete orphans and had to drop out of school last session for lack of WAEC registration fee, there is no single scholarship scheme by any politician for Ai-Oodo students which would have catered for those poor students being dropped out of schools”, he said.

Stressing further, Mr. Itodo gave instances of how Ogbadibo Democratic Congress issued a memo to some leaders on scholarship benefits for indigenous students which has recorded positive responses from Hon. Joe Ojobo and Mr. Patrick Lawani.

He couldn’t conclude the speech when he was been interrupted by the elders at the high table who felt he was coming too raw on them. The youths however stood in their numbers and insisted that Mr. Itodo must go on with his speech as he was not only speaking for Ogbadibo Democratic Congress but for the good of the typical youths in Ai-Oodo.

Also speaking at the event were the council Chairman, Hon. Sunday Ojo (ably represented by the Secretary to the Local Government Council, Mr. Emmanuel Abah; former council chairman, Hon. Fab Agada; Chief of Staff to the council chairman, Hon. Sunday Enenche; Mr. Patrick Lawani; Hon. Agada Orokpo; Elder Daniel Oodo;  supervisory councilors and other party faithfuls.

They all thanked Hon. Obonyilo for organizing such an epoch-making event to bring Ai-Oodo together and enjoined him to work hard in his position in order to justify the confidence the Ai-Oodo people had reposed on him.