*OLOROGUN DAVID EDEVBIE ASSURES DELTANS OF BETTER DAYS AHEAD, DESPITE PREVAILING ECONOMIC REALITIES*

By Godwin Orhadahwe

The most prominent among the governorship aspirants for Delta State guber election in 2023, Olorogun David Edevbie has commended Deltans for their resilience in the face of prevailing global economic realities. Chief Edevbie, a three-time Finance Commissioner in Delta State, gave the commendation at Asaba on Monday 27th Dec. 2021, promising Deltans that better days lie ahead when given the mandate as Governor of Delta State, come 2023.

The 2023 governorship hopeful said his decision to distribute about 1500 bags of quality rice to Deltans this Christmas was borne out of his love for the people, especially the indigent ones, coupled with the present hyper inflation in the country. He said that having played his part in the development of Delta State at critical times, his aim is to transform Delta State into a national and global development haven through industrialisation and economic repositioning, leveraging on the gains of previous governments of which he was an integral part. 

Olorogun Edevbie who just clocked 58, said he would efficiently manage the human, natural and financial resources of the State, as well as give a periodic account of his stewardship to Deltans. He said development is about people, so the people would be the focus of every government policy.

The energetic and friendly Chief Edevbie said his development plans for Delta State are akin to the plans that took Singapore to the league of developed nations, and those that moved Malaysia and Indonesia close to the margins of developed nations. He promised to use his work experience in the three countries and others popularly known to as Asian Tigers, as a way of perfectly blending the past with the realities of today for the benefit of Deltans as from 2023.

He said his development master plan would be backed by a legal framework, into which all ethnic groups in Delta State would make inputs, towards making policy formulation a collective process that will mitigate ethnic sentiments and rivalry.

Olorogun Edevbie said he plans to have at least 35% women and 25% youths in his Cabinet so as to tap into this dynamic human resource reserves that and also achieve fairness and an all-inclusive governance. The PDP governorship aspirant promised to reform the industrial, infrastructural, ICT, educational, housing, health and public sectors of the State.

Chief Edevbie said he would make education a priority for Deltans so as to reposition the State, with adequate attention given to technical and vocational education. He assured that ICT, skills acquisition and entrepreneurial studies would be incorporated into the State school curriculum to help our youths adapt early to the demands of global economic dynamics.  

The Afiesere-born politician promised to make primary and secondary education compulsory in the State, provide appropriate infrastructure, recruit teachers where and when necessary, ensure regular training and retraining of teachers, and prompt payment of salaries to encourage teachers. 

Olorogun David Edevbie therefore, urged Deltans and other Nigerians in the State to celebrate the Yuletide devoid of crime and anti-social acts, and advised all to take precaution against road and domestic accidents, fire outbreaks and explosions. 

A close look at the track records of Olorogun David Edevbie shows that he stands out tall amongst his opponents in terms of character, knowledge, experience and competence. He is a formidable force to reckon with in terms of finance and economics as tools for sustainable development. His high rating stems from his training at the world’s renowned Business Schools of Harvard and Cardiff Universities after graduating from the University of Lagos. 

For over 20 years, his profile placed him in active governance at the international and national levels. Chief Edevbie is a renowned technocrat of high repute, having served as Finance Commissioner in two different administrations, and more recently, as the Chief of Staff to the incumbent Governor. He also had successful stints in international banking and finance at the Commonwealth Development Commission, CDC.

For Chief David Edevbie,

governorship election is a familiar terrain, as he came second when he contested for the ticket in the PDP primaries that led to the 2015 elections in Delta State. No doubt, Chief Edevbie is very well equipped with expertise and experience, so he is indeed most suitable for the State governorship seat, come 2023.   

Managing the affairs of a multi ethnic state such as Delta State obviously comes with immense challenges as there will arise a clash of interests amongst Deltans, but Chief Edevbie has the experience to manage such challenges with a more holistic approach to governance. 

Olorogun David Edevbie is trusted by Deltans because of his demonstrated ability to deliver on his clearly set plans to place Delta State on the global map of development as a working democracy for Deltans and other Nigerians.