Emmanuel Egbabor: An Emerging Bold and Focused Leader
Precisely two years ago, one Mr. Matthew Ejor, an Isoko serving police officer based in Portharcourt read one of my articles online on the state of Isoko nation and decided to put a call to me on the need to move Isoko nation forward. He was moved by the article and immediately introduced Comrade Emmanuel Egbabor to me as a good politician who once contested for Delta State House of Assembly. He said Comrade Egbabor has used his political connection to assist him in the police over the years. I never hesitated to take the cell phone number of Hon. Egbabor from him and later booked appointment for Mindset Media interview which he refuted for some political reasons.
On meeting Comrade Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor the first time at his Ikeja'S office where he was the Deputy Managing Director of Pro-Data Limited, he never pretended but accepted me as an Isoko man and we spoke Isoko language fluently after I introduced myself to him as an Ivrogbo-Irri man. He is always humble in meeting with Isoko people in Lagos without pretence. Since then we became friends and I made him my mentor till he became the Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State. However my father also hailed from Ozoro in Isoko North too.
Apart from the intellectual integrity Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor possesses while living in Lagos, he was a committed Lagos Ozoro Progress Union member, Ikeja branch to the core. He contributed his quota to develop the union in Lagos. Having passed through the four-walls of the University to his Masters' degree level as a trained Economist, Activist and Journalist, he knows what it takes to run community leadership and nothing more. His 100 days in office with creative achievements are the parts of promises made while campaigning in 2014 and he is gradually fulfilling them without qualms. He is a leader with intellectual focus who knows what the grassroots people needed because he was brought up in Isoko.
Three weeks ago in Lagos, the Ozoro Progress Union, Central Body under the leadership of Engr.S.E Okpithe decided to hold a reception and prayer session for Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor whom they felt made them proud in grassroots leadership in Isoko North. At the speech of the President, he said Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor was one of those that fought for the emancipation of Ozoro crisis in his University days without being afraid of anybody. He never compromised his position than fighting for his people. One thing is that Egbabor never came from a wealthy background but he fought his way to political fame in spite of all family challenges.Today, he remains one of the young committed Isoko politician ever produced. His election into Isoko North LGA was a divine miracle where all aspirants stepped down for him without strong opposition candidates.
At the reception ground in Ikeja, Comrade Egbabor addressed the mammoth crowd that came to celebrate with him. He said he was elected to serve his people not to steal money for his family. According to him when I assumed office, I found the Legislative lodge office was nothing to write home about and ordered for the renovation including my office, some roads were reconstructed including dredge system, cleaning of the environment and employed people to monitor that department too. Most of these projects were carried out by my own personal money. I ordered for the immediate renovation of the abattoir market. I was never elected to enrich myself if others did, my tenure will change that orientation. Leadership is all about the people not me. I banned the operation of motorcyclist popularly known as” Okada” from operating from certain hours because some robbers were operating with it. If anybody builds its house without government approval such person should be ready to face the wrath of the law in Isoko North. I want to use my little time to empower my people not recycled stealing in the land. I was trained as a Journalist; I know the implications of making promises without fulfillment in Isoko.If it is not official, I don't need any police escort for any official assignment.
He also added that only PDP that can give credible leadership in Delta State, so all Isokos should vote for PDP candidates to draw government to Isoko in 2015.My legacies speak volumes of my stewardship in Isoko North. If people are elected to share money, I will not be party to that. I want to use this medium to thank Hon. Leo Ogor, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, High Paul Odhomor and others that stood by me during the election. These are political leaders that want Isoko nation to move forward. I remained one of the present performing chairmen in Delta State without qualms. My interest to fix grassroots education system in the local government and nothing more.Ozoro Progress Union, Lagos Central Body presented him with a souvenir to encourage him to continue with quality leadership in the LGA.
Godday Odidi
Public Affairs Analyst
08058124798
Lagos