BY AUGUSTINE AVWODE
David Edevbie, immediate past Chief of Staff to Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, might not have publicly declared his intention to run for the top job in the state come 2023, but it is an open secret that he is one of the leading aspirants seeking to take over from the incumbent when the time comes.
Edevbie, who was also a former Commissioner for Finance in the state and Principal Secretary to the late President Umar Yar’Adua, recently engaged his supporters, followers and sympathizers, who are mostly Deltans on his Facebook page.
The exercise yielded more dividends than he probably expected. He simply asked them to share their idea of ‘modernisation’ with him.
He wrote, “My fellow Deltans, first of all, I want to thank you for your support. The energy we have been receiving on this Platform since we launched has been awesome.
“We have begun a Movement; a Movement to change our history by creating our future. We are our own Miracle and greatest blessing. The solution we have been looking for is right with us. No one will appear from the sky to create a more equitable society of shared prosperity and abundant opportunities for us. We are going to have to do it ourselves.
He continued, “Now, please pay attention: for a while now, we have all, as a community, been referencing the Modernisation narrative. Today, I would like us to have a brainstorming session, as we have been doing for some time now, and, in specific, I want you to share with the rest of our community and me what Modernisation means to you.”
REACTIONS
In no time, the responses poured in torrents. Below are a few of what we could take in no particular order.
Abel Erumere wrote, “Modernisation is the process of updating something or making it work in a contemporary setting. In other words, modernisation as governance is concerned should be a change in governance style from business as usual to business unusual. My understanding of an administration focused on modernisation to be rated high is that such an administration should be able to carry out visible projects and execute positive life changing policies. For someone who has been away from his urban or rural community for the past 5 years or more to come back and be able to locate his ancestral home with ease implies that such a government has not done much in terms of modernisation. Permit me to cite one or two examples. I had my University Education in Lagos between 1987and 1991. I left for youth service and returned to Lagos in 1992 From Cross River State where I served.
I remained and worked in Lagos until 1998 when I came to resume work in Delta State University. In other words, I spent about 12 active years in Lagos before I relocated. My point now is; when I went back there in 2002, I had problems finding my routes even between Yaba and Akoka that was my usual route to and fro the school campus. That unusual modernisation I am sure is what gave the architect of that developmental stride the leverage to become a minister today. The administration of Obasanjo and El Rufai in Abuja opened up Abuja to what it is today. I’m not in any way saying that these are the best administrators or the best we can get. No, not at all. But for an administration to get thumbs up and encomiums from me, visible projects and execution of policies that can impact positively on the lives of citizens must be seen to be put in place. It should be realized that it’s not possible not to step on some toes, especially some ‘Big Toes.’ A leader focused on modernisation should not be deterred by this unavoidable phenomenon.”
Ofogba Fredrick stated that “Modernization is the process of improving the standard of living of the people by upgrading the leadership system to an advanced stage as we have it in developed countries resulting in construction of high standard infrastructure. Creating investment friendly society for local and foreign investment to thrive; this will massively boost youth employment. Having an egalitarian society where there is a high level of ethnic and religious tolerance and the life and rights of citizens are protected and respected irrespective of status .Ultimately, the welfare of the citizens is paramount and above any other consideration to the leadership. We Deltans have the confidence that you have the qualities, passion and will power to modernise Delta State that is why we are completely supporting you to emerge as the next governor of Delta come 2023.”
Ogaga Mukoro opined that “A modernized Delta, in my own view, is a system created by the government that will attract both local and foreign investors to the state, through continuous dredging of the waterways and seaport in Koko, Sapele and warri; establishment of Delta State Coast Guard Network in full collaboration with the Nigeria Navy to secure the waterways. A modernized Delta where I can see vessels and oil rigs on anchorage in our vast waters thereby creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities for our ever resourceful youth through trade and commerce in both maritime, oil and gas. This will sure boost the state economy and generate revenue for the government.”
Adaji Obukowho rather applauded the approach by Edevbie, saying “This is (a) bold engagement and cross fertilization of ideas. We do hope that this tempo will be sustained, entrenched and deepened, as we commune together and work out modalities for a greater Delta. Yes, we can.”
Akpobasah Omokri had this to contribute: “Modernization literally means moving from traditional, crude and agrarian society to a more economically and socially developed society. It is usually ushered in by effectively harnessing state’s resources.
“The solution we have been looking for is right with us. No one will appear from the sky to create a more equitable society of shared prosperity and abundant opportunities for us. We are going to have to do it ourselves
“
Modernisation is the outcome of development while development itself is a function of sustained economic growth overtime. There is, therefore, an extricate link between economic growth, development and modernisation. Abstractly and contextually, a modernised Delta State would be a function of effectively utilizing the state’s resources to achieve economic growth, development and eventually, modernisation.”
Phillip Tom-Biggar had this to say: “Modernised Delta State will include an improved public service to drive the dreams and visions of the leader, a service where competence is acknowledged not wasted for selfish interests etc, a service positioned for enhanced productivity.”
Joseph Idede wrote, “Modernization is: healthy economy; healthy educational system; healthy standard of living; healthy or fair infrastructural development across all senatorial districts; healthy power supply; detribalization; healthy security methodologies.
Modernization is bringing together all our natural endowed resources, by harmonising them to actualise those aspects that are of necessity to humanity which are stated above.”
George Okugbere wrote, “Modernisation is a systematic change of a conventional society to a cosmopolitan society with priority to competency. Is also a transformation of analog society to a digital society by deploring modern tools/ knowledge in handling & solving problems and creating rooms for new ideas, technology, innovations and unleashing the latent economic potentials of the society.”
Cent Brownson Emaro stated that “To me, Modernisation is the process of adapting something to modern needs or habits. What comes to my mind each time I hear the word ‘Modernisation’ is the way forward, and my expectation and improvement of government and public services.
And administration focused on Modernisation can only be rated highly by me when much attention is paid to the public sector (to become fully industrialized). This system provides both constraints and opportunities for the economic development of a state. Thank you.”
The emergence of Edevbie on the political scene to majority of Deltans is a welcome relief.
They see him as the man who is fit and capable of converting the gains of the past 22 years into a transformational strategy that will endow Delta State with the character of the First World from the Third World.
Right now, many see Edevbie as the best for the job of the governor of Delta State not in terms of strong arm tactics, but in terms of intellect, exposure to local, national and international service, management and leadership skills. Edevbie is also very detribalized, a factor which is much needed in the politics of Delta State today.
