𝐒𝐒𝐆 𝐈𝐤𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐣𝐚𝐛𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞

𝐒𝐒𝐆 𝐈𝐤𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐣𝐚𝐛𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞

...𝘏𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘷. 𝘖𝘬𝘱𝘦𝘣𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘜𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴

By: Oriaifoh Godwins

The Secretary to the Edo State Government, SSG, Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor, has demonstrated the essence of purposeful leadership and commitment to grassroots development through the facilitation of several life-changing projects and amenities for the people of Ujabhole, in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘢 𝘐𝘬𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘌𝘴𝘲. 𝘚𝘚𝘎 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘥𝘰 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵

The projects, which are expected to significantly improve the quality of life of the people and stimulate socio-economic development, include a Skills Acquisition Centre, security posts for the Edo State Security Network, ESN, and the Nigeria Police, provision of potable water, improved road network, as well as solar-powered electricity facilities designed to provide 24-hour power supply.

The interventions, which primarily target the people of Ujabhole, his immediate community and constituency, also represent a significant contribution to the development of Esanland and Edo State at large.

Speaking in a video interview on how the projects were actualised, Barrister Ikhilor expressed appreciation to the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for the support and encouragement he received in ensuring that the projects became operational.

He explained that although the projects had been lying fallow for about six years, the intervention and support of Governor Okpebholo helped to facilitate the provision of the necessary facilities and infrastructure required to bring them to life.

The SSG's commendation of the Governor underscores the importance of cooperation between political leaders and government institutions in translating development initiatives into tangible benefits for the people.

Meanwhile, residents of Ujabhole have expressed satisfaction with the various projects, describing them as significant investments in the present and future of the community.

According to them, the facilities will not only address some of the community's developmental needs, they will also create opportunities for economic empowerment, improved security, access to basic amenities and a better future for coming generations.

In his message to the people, Barrister Ikhilor emphasised that the projects are not his personal property, but belonged to the entire community, urging residents to take collective responsibility for their maintenance and protection.

"The project belongs to you as a community. As a people, you own it, you should protect it and make good use of it," he said.

He particularly appealed to the elders and youths to demonstrate a strong sense of ownership by ensuring that the facilities are properly maintained and protected against vandalism and misuse.

The SSG also expressed delight at the positive response of the community's elders, who, according to him, have already demonstrated their commitment by setting up committees and other community-based structures to safeguard the projects.

He described the initiative as a deliberate effort to empower the community, stimulate development and create an environment where residents, particularly young people, can benefit from opportunities that promote self-reliance and economic growth.

The establishment of the Skills Acquisition Centre, for instance, is expected to provide an avenue for skills development and vocational training, while the security facilities will strengthen the existing security architecture of the area.

Similarly, the provision of water, improved road infrastructure and solar-powered electricity is expected to enhance living conditions, support economic activities and attract further development to the community.

Beyond the physical infrastructure, Barrister Ikhilor's appeal for community ownership of the projects, highlights the importance of collective responsibility in sustaining development projects.

Indeed, the Ujabhole initiative presents an example of how leadership, government support and community participation can combine to deliver meaningful development at the grassroots.

With the facilities now available to the people, the challenge before the community is to preserve the investments and ensure that they continue to serve their intended purposes for present and future generations.

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄👇👇👇