An Except of an interview with Kingsley Oghenakhogie Ugabi, an Edo
State House of Assembly Aspirant under the All Progressives Congress
(APC) by our Reporter Nnamdi Okafor
WHO IS KINGSLEY UGABI?
Kingsley Oghenakhogie Ugabi was born 15thApril 1974
to the family of Chief and Mrs Vincent Ugabi.
I am a graduate of
Banking and Finance and an MBA holder
A chartered Public Finance Certificate holder of the
Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria. A member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).
Immediately after my University education 15 years ago, I
started work in a Private Petroleum Product Marketing Company (Sea Petroleum
and Gas Ltd) in Lagos as an internal auditor. In the same Company I have worked
in different Managerial capacities. I have also worked briefly with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) Lagos. I completed my NYSC Programme with Nigeria Gas Company Warri
a subsidiary of NNPC. In the course of my job I have attended several courses,
workshops and seminars both home and abroad. I sponsored andFinanced a football tournament in December 2012 in my community procuring items for over 10 communities, all Jerses, Football and Trophies to play for with gift item to valuable players and officials during the competition all in a bid to promote unity, co-operation and at the same time discovering talents in this Communities.
I was recently honoured with an Award by National
Association of Edo State Student (NAESS) UNIBEN in recognition of my outstanding
contribution to NAESS visionary leadership and development stride in 2014. I am a member of the Weppa Wanno pyramid Club of Nigeria and
I am currently the Lagos Chapter Chairman of the Club. A Social Cultural Club
known for her passion for growth development of Weppa Wanno. I am a man who believes in growth and development of the
people and the Community especiallyfor the people of Etsako East Constituency. I believe in the
service to humanity, I am simple, sincere and a humble man who is accessible
anytime, any day.
I want to tell a different story, I want to tell a better
story, I want to tell a new story.
As a
Senior Management Staff in one of the major companies in the Nigeria Oil
Industry, why would you to quit such a lucrative job for politics?
It is about service to our people. Sacrifices
must be made to effect a beautiful positive change in our generation and that
is how it has been from the days of the Bible, great men left all they had to
pursue a cause, which eventually changed the route of history. I have a burning
desire to see that the good things of government come to our people. I have
criticised from outside, we have done criticism among friends, on normal
discussions, articles, publications, on the social network, even with one
government official and more. I believe that direct participation in governance
,will make my impact felt and coming
into governance and politics will bring
about that positive change I have always
desired for the good people of my constituency, Edo state at large and Nigeria
as a country this is if and only if I am in the system. I am not in the race
for the Edo state house of Assembly just because there is vacancy; I am in the
race because I want to bring about a positive change. I am sure that all I want is the same thing
every person will want, that is to live in society with a Government that is
good and honest, decent and competent, compassionate and passionate, young and vibrant,
creative and innovative, sincere in trust with the interest of the people that
I represent first and foremost. That is why I carry the word the (3F) FAITHFUL
FIRST before FAMOUS.
Are
you married?
Yes I
am married with children
You don’t
look it
Laughs
…………………..How do married people look? Should I carry a signage? Laughs………..
Do
you have a Political Mentor?
Yes I
do, but not one, they are; Ahlaji Maitama Sule, Adams Oshiomole, late Ambrose
Ali, President Bill Clinton and, Late President Nelson Mandela.
What
is your vision for Etsakor East constituency within the next four years
assuming you are elected as their Law Maker?
I will influence State Government spending
that will make Etsako East Local Government Area stand at par with other major municipal
councils in the developed countries of the world. I will do everything possible
to attract the eyes of government to the people and the communities in Etsako
East. I will ensure that Government
project and presence is felt in all the towns and villages that make up the
constituency in the next Four years.
Why
is APC your choice?
I
believe in Change. I have been a party member of Alliance for Democracy (AD), which
later metamorphosed into Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and most recently All
Progressive Congress APC. We are the party that can take Nigeria to the promise
land. I am someone who believes in Growth and Development of a people and the
society. Take for instance, the Nigeria Oil industries is growing everyday but
the Nigeria economy is not developing. An APC led government will make a
difference. Come to think of this, even in USA, UK the people chose to vote a
different political party into power if they want a CHANGE. The ruling party at the Federal level has
been in power for almost 16 years, looking back you agree with me that there is
need for a change.
What
is your relationship with your Party Leaders and the Comrade Governor?
I have a very good relation with the leaders
of the Party, very cordial. I am an obedient child of our great party. As for
the Governor, he is a father to us all and a leader of the Edo people, those
working with him now and most of us that will work with him in the near future.
I am sure he will be happy to meet us
and we will have the benefit to learn from him. Even when he was a Labour
Leader I was his fan and a deep believer in his philosophy of the struggle.
In
what aspect of the Nigeria politics would you want to see a change?
I
want to see the Nigeria Political parties Idea logy followed to the latter. I want
to see the political parties allowing the people choice prevail by making sure
we have a robust internal democracy within the political parties. (Democracy
should truly be about the people), it must be determine by the people since it
is for the people. Politics and democracy should transcend beyond elections,
just as good governance should transcend beyond good roads, street lights,
health care etc. Politics and democracy
is when the people lead, when the people choose, when the people speak, when the
people agree, when the people are satisfied, and then, the people Judge.
I
will sponsor BILLS FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, All the youth must have basic
Education to be able to apply or fit in all the programs and benefit due to
them. We shall see to soft loans for
young graduate, encourage entrepreneur, encourage and develop all sporting activities
from school and other unskilled boys and girls, young men and woman in each
towns and villages with a view to getting the talented ones. I believe majority of the
youth still do farming / fishing and of course the Agricultural sector will be
sustain seriously in a sophisticated way to encourage those interested to earn
a living through it. As an individual I have sponsored a football tournament to
haunt for talent, I hope to do more of such .I trust some good talent will be
discovered, of course, we shall collaborate with and partner with external
sponsors and show case this for the world to see; Just like the Okpekpe race today in Ibie. You never know.
Even
though, the first and overall responsibility of an Assembly member is to make
laws that will benefit the people of the state and their constituency. Of course, we are talking about different
state, different people, different idea logy, different environment, Revenue
Allocation varies from different political party. To rate them in comparison
can only be in terms of the relationship between the Executive arm, and the
other arm of government. They have done
well and have been in peace, Passing the budget fast to ensure that the
EXECUTIVE deliver the dividend of democracy to the people. They have been doing
well except for this current crisis.
How
will you rate the popularity of the Governor Adams Oshiomole in his first term and
now?
He is
destined to reign, Of course he is a Man
that is use to challenges or one who stand up to challenges to proffer
solutions take challenges from his days in the NLC and till date as a Governor.
People will clap for you when you do a new thing or invent a new thing. But
when so many persons are now doing that same thing you invented, the people will
become familiar with it and it won’t look valuable to them again. This is
natural with people. One thing that is very clear is that he has set a standard
in Edo state. I expect everyone to wait until another Governor comes; then we
will appreciate Oshiomole more, in fact he has done wonderfully well. Also don’t
forget that he is the advocate of “ONE MAN ONE VOTE” in Nigeria, a slogan that
even the PDP at federal now use in there rallies. He has again started a new advocacy
that is “LET THE PEOPLE LEAD”.
He is
even doing much more. Maybe because there was nothing on ground to show before
he took over power. He started re-building the state from the scratch from where
Pa Ogbemudia stopped in the 70s. He has
completed the construction of a lot of
new dualised roads and drainages, street
lights , good modern school buildings, Health care centre, Recreational areas, to mention but a few, and yet
some are still under construction and there high freedom of speech in Edo
State, if you don’t like any of his policies you can carry your placard and
protest and if your points are right he will attend to them immediately. His
government is a government for all and not only the important people of the
state. In fact, the Governor has also promised that more project will be
executed to completion in this his administration. The rain has slowed down the pace of work. The
market women in Edo state, the Enigies, the youth and students, not to talk of
the pupils he modernised their schools are very pleased with his government.
But you know people will always find fault. The Governor who I know understands
that criticism will come. He takes note of most of the constructive criticisms
and makes amend
Don’t
you think what happened in Ekiti State with respect to the last Governorship
election victory by a PDP candidate can happen in Edo State in the coming
election?
No
APC is solid in Edo state. Governor Adams Oshiomole has so many things to show
and he is still doing more projects, he is on ground, he his investing on
youth, there are things you can see when compared with the other political
party that served in the state for 10 years doing nothing. I am very sure the
Governor will surprise the people on new project and better project. APC has
done well in all the three senatorial area of Edo state.
What do you think about the current crisis
rocking the Edo State House of Assembly?
It is
all Personal interest. Let them put the interest of the people they are
representing in Edo State first. There
are rumours that each faction is loyal to this person or that person. For me
let the all the House of Assembly members work with the Governor of Edo state to
deliver the dividend of democracy to the people of the state other personal
interest should be dropped.
They
just have to drop their sword and shift ground. Nothing stops them from being
in different political parties and still is in the house, but, they must
respect the laws of the land as Law Makers. They must also respect that law
that is binding on all the house members. Be it indiscipline or bad conduct as
prescribe by the house and also especially the Judiciary arm of Government.
This is one thing we respected Late President Musa Yaradua tenor for (Rule of
law). They should also have a rethink,
supposing they have more than four other different political parties
representing various constituencies in the same House, will they do this? Knowing
fully well that they are suspended. They should abide by the law. I pray God
will touch them to abide by the Law and allow the state to move forward.
On a
lighter note Sir, we were informed that your father is a renowned Musician in
Edo State. Why didn’t you take after you father in Music or entertainment?
My
father played his role in Music, giving joy & happiness, putting smiles
& laughter on faces, using entertainment to serve humanity and giving the
Soul a reason to Live. That his is destiny, I have chosen to do politics or
Governance because i want to see Growth and Development both in a qualitative
and quantitative way in my Area and in the face of my People. I have worked and
played my role as a true Son of Etsako touching lives in my little own ways.
Although Music is in the blood and in the family. …..laughs…..
Thank you.
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