ESAN OYEEE… LET’S BRING BACK OUR CoE, AAU
By: Oriaifoh Godwins
Edo state, over the years, has been in a state of comatose with government activities practically grounded as the impact of the government is not felt by the people anywhere in Edo state. No thanks to the ‘Yea sayers’ and praise singers of the government, even though a good number of them are suffering, yet smiling.
In Edo state today, Esanland is in a worse situation, as the Edo central Senatorial district is the hardest hit by the moribund condition the state has suddenly found itself in. Esanland is in a (permit me to say) ‘rotten’ state. Now is the time for the entire Esan people to jettison all sorts of differences and come together as one to change the ugly trend.
First and foremost, I need to remind all well-meaning Esan people that we are the architect of our woe. We caused it on ourselves; as such, only we can reverse the ugly trend if we sincerely want to; in all of these, the responsibility that I have decided to saddle myself with is to create the required awareness which in my opinion, is necessary, but not sufficient to change the sad trend of events.
In 2020, during the build up to the Edo gubernatorial election, I did what I considered to be a necessary thing to do. Myself and some others, cried out to Esan people, we warned every one of the impending doom to Esanland if we are not sensible enough to jettison party differences and other primordial interests, but many made a mockery of us, they turned deaf ears to our plea and called us all sorts of names and allowed their hearts, not their heads to take control of them. Today nko? A number of these people are hiding their faces, while the shameless ones are still managing to defend their stupidities. Issokay oooo.
Esan people, right under their noses, the College of Education Igueben was shut down, the students were asked to find other schools, school fees that is otherwise supposed to be non-refundable, was refunded to the students that had already paid, the lecturers and Heads of Departments were asked to hand over the school properties in their possessions to designated authorities. Alas, the College of Education, Igueben was shut down. NA LOOK EVERYBODY DEY LOOK…haaaaaaa e be like say na juju dem take hold our people. All thanks to Barrister Odiana Eriata that sued Edo state government to court over the closure of the College of Education Igueben.
May I at this point remind us that the College of Education, Igueben, is one of the foremost Colleges in Nigeria. It was established in the mid 60’s. The College of Education was at some point shut down as a result of the civil war, as the premises was used as training ground by the Nigeria Army during the Nigeria civil war (1967-1970). The College of Education, Igueben, was however, reopened by Professor Osahermen Osunbor during his short period as the Governor of Edo state. We can see that the College of Education, Igueben, has a very long history, yet our so called leaders (Political, Traditional, Religious leaders) in Esanland are looking the other way as it is being shut down.
As we speak, the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma is struggling for breath, and I am drawing our attention to the fact that, if Esan people are not careful, it will be gone just like the College of Education Igueben. GOD FORBID!
The entire above unfortunate situation wouldn’t have been, if Edo state legislative organ, the Edo state House of Assembly had disallowed it. The question however, is: DOES ESAN LAND HAVE PEOPLE REPRESENTING THEM IN EDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY? Yes, the people of Esan land voted for some persons to represent them in Edo state House of Assembly, but are they representing the people that voted for them, or they are only there serving their selfish interests?
Not too long ago, I requested for them to present their scorecards as their tenure is gradually coming to a close. Surprisingly, some persons defended them with lame and senseless excuses, just because of some silly party allegiance. I HAIL UNA OOO.
As the window of electioneering opens again, for the people of Edo state to vote for the representatives of their choice to occupy various constituencies in Edo state House of Assembly, it is time for the people to put on their thinking caps.
It is no longer news that the legislative organ of government in Edo state is a stooge to the executive organ. Rather than being independent to speak for the people they claim they are representing, they have become praise singers for the government’s failures. This is the time to vote for those candidates that cannot be used, but will stand for the interest of the people.
Esan oyeeee? To bring back the College of Education, Igueben, and also enable Ambrose Alli University to breathe some fresh air and come back to life, AVOID VOTING FOR ALL LABOUR PARTY AND PDP CANDIDATES THAT ARE CONTESTING FOR SEATS IN THE EDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, NA DEM OOOOO. A word is enough for the wise voter.
Finally, I need not remind my readers that this was how I advised us against voting for continuation of failures, continuation of bad government, continuation of unending propaganda and MoU’s but rather than heed my advice, na names una dey call me; many ended up shouting Torgba, Torgba…I think e don GBA now? I remember I warned Edo PDP, I tell dem say na grass dem see them dey call vegetables….dem no hia……Ntoooor