It is not in doubt that Nigeria is afflicted with perennial ‘leadership haemorrhage’. It is equally a statement of fact that many Nigerians believe that the nation’s leadership crisis, particularly at the Local Government Council levels, was aggregated by successive deficiency in leadership vision and in some cases made worse by public official’s understanding and interpretation of problems with clarity but lacking in political will to see or implement solutions.
Despite these protracted failure, there are however, indications that all hopes may not be lost.
Supporting the above assertion is a recently articulated commentary on achievements of Innocent Ifeanyichukwu Esewezie, the Executive Chairman, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta.
Aside from the recent comment credited to former Governor of Delta State, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, during the commissioning of Illah Modern Market Project Illah, 80 open shops and 20 locked up shops and Oshimili North LGA Model School Ibusa with crèche and modern facilities, where the former among other remarks noted that Innocent Ifeanyichukwu Esewezie, assisted his administration to succeed, the Oshimili North Council boss cumulative scorecard has more than anything else convinced Nigerians that leadership challenge in the country significantly has nothing to do with cluelessness. But largely depends on the understanding that their vision and agendas are at odds with the general inspirations and motivations of the population.
Take as an illustration, before the coming of Innocent Ifeanyichukwu Esewezie, the Executive Chairman, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta, Nigerians particularly those at the grassroots tend to think that they have not been lucky with good leaders. That is, people who pilot the affairs, lack good leadership qualities, therefore, they fall short in delivering the fruits of good leadership. The general feeling is that these sets of people in government were clueless.
But looking at his harvests of achievement through people focused project delivery; there is a veiled agreement among Nigerians that no local government chairman in Nigeria particularly in Delta state is clueless. Rather, for Council bosses whether outgone or serving, that failed and disappointed their subjects, such orchestrated failure is in the opinion of this piece a product of choice.
Their failure was not a function of their geographical location or lack of resources to promote democratized infrastructural development within their Council but because they took decisions that engineered poverty, promoted powerlessness and hopelessness among their people.
Comparatively, from Innocent Ifeanyichukwu Esewezie’s impressive and exemplary testimonial, it is glaringly evident that what is lacking among the non performing local government bosses in the state is lack of political will and gross inability to recognize that power well understood is the ability to affect positive social, economic, political and changes among the people.
This is the only possible explanation.
As someone who is neither ruled by emotion nor allows sentiment to blur his judgement, I must underline that I am not from Oshimili North Local Government Area but the truth must be told to the effect that Oshimil North Local Government Local Government Area, has never had it this good since its creation.
I am not alone in this line of belief.
Separate from the fact that the Local Council’s landscape is presently dotted with legacy projects that enhance the lives of residents, the recent double traditional Chieftaincy title by first, the Ibusa Community and secondly, by the umbrella traditional Council body within the Local Government Area says something new and different.
For me, it is an affirmation of the fact that the Local Government Chairman has done well for the entire towns, communities and villages within the Local Government Area.
The facts are there and speak for it. The achievements include: remodeling of Council secretariat gatehouse, Akwukwu-Igbo, Construction of modern executive compex, Akwukwu-IgboFurnishing of Legislative Complex, Akwukwu-Igbo, General renovation at Council Secretariat, Akwukwu-Igbo Construction of Illah Modern Market, Construction of Ugbolu International market, Atuma-Iga community water project, Okpanam Provision of new transformer, Okpanam.
Others include; remodeling and reconstruction of Oshimili North Liaison Office, Ibusa, beautification, landscaping and construction of drainage at Ibusa entrance, renovation of Oshimili North Model school, Ibusa, Construction of town halls, Grading of farm roads across the LGA, Free medical and surgical missions, Provision of medical equipment to heath centers, Engagement of sanitation stewards, among others.
Also worth mentioning is the new awareness that Hon. Esewezie prioritizes the security of lives and property within his jurisdiction, through collaboration with law enforcement agencies and continuous training of security personnel reflects his unwavering dedication to safety.
Indeed, as a forward-thinking politician who champions innovation and improvement, his legacy and focus on youth engagement and development is without doubt worthy of emulation by other Local Government Chairmen within and outside the states of the Federation.
As the Local Government and of course Delta state celebrates Hon. Esewezie’s transformative leadership, it is equally imperative that such feat achieved was not solely anchored on luck as evidence abound that he came prepared for the present position.
Take as an illustration, it was well documented that his journey towards greatness led him to the University of Port-Harcourt, where he obtained his First Degree in Micro-Economics. This was just the beginning. With a deep commitment to fostering peace and resolving conflicts, he pursued a second Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the National Open University in Asaba. Innocent’s early years were marked by humble beginnings at Ezemese Primary School in Ibusa, later culminating in his education at the renowned Urhobo College in Warri. These formative experiences instilled in him an unshakable belief in the power of education.
But it was his return to Ibusa after his first University Degree that set his destiny in motion. His passion for community service, exemplary representation, and effective governance ignited his journey into mainstream politics. As one just cutting his teeth in the murky terrains of the political world, he steadily worked his way up the ladder in politics having served as Political Aide; Special Assistant; duly elected Ward 5 Councillor; Oshimili North LGA Transition Chairman; Senior Special Assistant; Director General and Executive Assistant to past Governors of Delta State and political stalwarts. From the grassroots, he steadily ascended the political ladder, leaving an indelible mark at every level.His charisma, pragmatic leadership, and open-door policy resonate with people of all backgrounds—both young and old, indigenes and non-indigenes, traditional leaders, youths, students, traders, and artisans.
His dedication to quality representation, good governance, and service excellence has earned him numerous accolades.Hon. Innocent Ifeanyichukwu Esewezie is not just a leader; he is a visionary who sees the future through a different lens. His leadership philosophy centers on innovation and improvement, driven by a deep sense of responsibility to his community.As the current Executive Chairman of Oshimili North LGA, Hon. Innocent Esewezie’s administration, though only two years old, stands as a testament to visionary leadership.
His achievements in infrastructure development are a testament to his commitment to progress. He understands that quality infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving community.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via;jeromeutomi@yahoo.com/08032725374.