HON. INNOCENT ESEWEZIE: A MAN WITH HIS PILLARS IN THE GRASSROOTS- TEAM ESEWEZIE

“The true worth of a man is in the way he treats people who are absolutely in need. If you care about people in need, you are actually making a contribution to the development of the nation. We need to give life back to the people; democracy is important in governance. We need to see how we can use the available resources for everybody; create opportunities for all and care, especially for those who are truly in need. The gap between the rich and the poor should be bridged. Those of us blessed with material resources need to share with others. We must strike a balance with our resources.” *This is the Philosophy of our principal Hon. Esewezie* according to Dr Ruth Nkeaka.

“ *TEAM ESEWEZIE* ” has practically described Hon. Innocent Esewezie, their principal as a good leader, with the character of humility, passion for service, respect, fairness, accountability and a model others can follow. *Hon. Innocent Esewezie is a quintessential leader and gentleman* . He is the embodiment of cerebral articulation, the essence of unparalleled philanthropy, the epitome of intellection and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul of humanity, the heart of warrior, and a perfect gentleman.

Indeed, some leaders are born, some achieve leadership, and some have leadership thrust upon them, while only very few have all three embedded in them. Hon. *Innocent Esewezie* is one of those very few good men; a true philanthropist, an accomplished Politician, a man of valour, the bringer of rain. In the gallery of great leaders and great men, he is without doubt, a rare masterpiece. Hon. Esewezie is elegant and unblemished in the magisterial lithe and athleticism of folkloric Kings and heroes, with unfettered, excellent diction and oratory; his brilliant smile like sparkling sun radiating from crystal clear eyes and he cuts the dapper, debonair figure and personality of the complete man he has truly metamorphosed into in the last Fifteen years.

 *In this interview with the Grassroots Publishers,* members of “TEAM ESEWEZIE” discussed extensively on the antecedents of their principal and why he is the one to beat in Oshimili North Local Government  House of Assembly race come 2019.

 *Excerpts:*

 *What is “TEAM ESEWEZIE” all about?*

 *“TEAM ESEWEZIE”* is a name culled from our principal’s name, Hon. Innocent Esewezie. It can also be referred to as *“Ozigbo-Ozigbo (Sharp-Sharp) Team”.* The team is made up of people of integrity, men and women of great valour, vibrant youths who have made mark in their various areas of careers. *We have Medical Doctor, Lawyers, Entrepreneurs and so many others.* We came together to form this team because we believe in our Principal, his ideology, and antecedents.

 *WHO IS HON. INNOCENT ESEWEZIE?*

Hon. Innocent Esewezie is a vibrant young man is who started his political career from the grassroots who is solidly rooted and grounded and he has successfully served in various capacities. He was appointed *Transition committee member representing Ward 5 (2002-203),* duly elected *Councilor, Ward 5 in Ibusa (2004-2007),* appointed as *Oshimili North Coordinator in Uduaghan Vision Movement in 2007,* appointed *political aide to then State PDP Chairman, Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi (2008-2010),* appointees *Special Assistance, Political Affairs to the former Gov. Uduaghan (2011),* appointed *Chairman,  Oshimili North Transition Committee (2012-2014),* appointed *Oshimili North Campaign Coordinator for 2015 election* , appointed  *Coordinator of Okowa’s Senatorial Campaign Organisation in 2011, Coordinator, Oshimili North PDP Campaign for 2015 election* (delivered on all elections), presently he is the *Delta North representative in Directorate of Orientation* since 2015 till date, *Coordinator of Oshimili North Laison Officers (2017), Director-General, State Community Youths Association (2017 till date).* He is a grassroots mobilizer, *philanthropist* , and a man of *integrity* . 

 *WHY THE CHOICE OF YOUR PRINCIPAL, HON INNOCENT ESEWEZIE?*

Hon. Esewezie is a grassroots politician who has been with Peoples Democratic Party since 2002. A very loyal fellow who has been given several opportunities to serve the people in the past. He has always delivered in any assignment he was given to carry out. For example, he has served as a Councilor, Transition Chairman of his L.G.A and has equally served in different capacities as Senior Adviser (SA), Personal Assistance (PA) and currently he is holding three appointments in the Gov. Okowa’s administration. This is due to his proactiveness and hard work. So, I must tell you confidently that *Team Esewezie is already out to make sure our Principal gets to the right place come 2019 for the grassroots to start enjoying the dividends of democracy* and that is why we are creating the awareness for the good people of Oshimili North LGA to vote for him as our next Delta State House of Assembly Member because our people need a vibrant voice and a quality representative.

 *What can you say are his achievements as a Councilor, Transition Chairman and currently as the DG, Delta State Community Youths Development, Member representing Delta North in Directorate of Orientation?*

Hon. Esewezie, when he was Oshimili North Transition Chairman, he left a landmark which no one has beaten even till today.

• He organized a *free medical care* for both the Ibusa axis and the North-North axis of which hundreds of people were beneficiaries. He *repaired a lot of damaged equipments in Ebu Health centre.*

• During his tenure as the Transition Chairman also, *social vices especially cultism was brought to its barest minimum in Ibusa, Illah, Okpanam, and the entire Oshimili North.*

• He also set up a *security network with various security agencies, Nigeria Police Force, Vigilante Group, hunters to ensure utmost protection of lives and properties* and that is why during his tenure, the issue of kidnapping, robbery, cultism was drastically reduced.

• In collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, he *built a skills acquisition centre fully equipped with modern facilities and one year internet subscription for the Ibusa youths.*

• He *used his good office to convene, coordinate, collaborate and support several Youths-Oriented programmes in the local government and across the state in general,* one of such programmes is “ *Cultism and the Nigerian Child Youth”* programme.

•  During his tenure as Transition Chairman, over *four hundred women were also empowered as they were employed as sanitation officers during which they worked twice a week and get paid at the end of the month.*

• As a Transition Chairman, he *completed the abandoned Ultra-Modern Eke market (Ashia Eke) at Ibusa with a sound-proof 100kv Generator set to power the market and same with Ebu market.*

• When Sure-P programme came on board, a *lot of people benefitted from the empowerment; Cars, Sewing machines, Grinding machines, etc were given out to entrepreneurs, artisans and so on to enable them start up their own business. Hon. Esewuzie also donated chairs, tables, textbooks, novels, etc to schools. He also installed street lights in some parts of Ibusa.*

• He also *reconstructed the Ogbe-Owelle town hall,  and rebuilt the Ibusa Palace (Nkata) in Ibusa.*

• As a Transition Chairman, *he was able to settle the long Omu dispute in Ebu and later placed the Omu on a monthly salary. He also played a major role in settling the long dispute between the Obuzor of Ibusa and Diokpa before his tenure expired as a peace maker.*

 *WHY IS IT THAT MOST OF THESE PROJECTS HE ESTABLISHED ARE GROUNDED AND ABANDONED BY THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION?*

Well, as we all know that government is continuity and there is no way he will leave office and still be taking care of those infrastructures he provided; that will amount to interference.

 His successor is expected to continue from where he stopped. For example, the Eke market at Ibusa which was abandoned was completed by him when he came on board as the Transition Chairman.

 *FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS, HON. PAT AJUDUA HAS BEEN REPRESENTING OSHIMILI NORTH CONSTITUENCY IN DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT YOUR PRINCIPAL CAN UNSEAT HER?*

Thank you very much. You know our Principal, *Hon. Innocent Esewezie is a grassroots man, a political mobilizer and loved by everybody both young and old.* So, the only man who has the antidote to dethrone the incumbent is our Principal, Hon. Innocent Esewezie. We have earlier talked more on his achievements in the various positions he has held both in the past and present. Our political Agenda name *“Ozigbo-Ozigbo” means swinging into action immediately* and that is our principal for you. He is one man who does not wait for even a minute to implement his plans to produce positive results for any assignment given to him. If you witnessed the last Council election held on January 6, 2018 at Ibusa, when he came to vote at his Ward, both youths and aged were cherished him and they were all all calling on him to rescue the Local Government come 2019 as the local government needs a total liberation because of his antecedents and acceptance by the grassroots.

Recall that as Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths Development, he was basically on every news item that relates to the youths not only in Oshimili North but the entire Delta because he operates an open door policy rather than a family venture. We should not also forget in a haste that based on his inherent *passion for service and flare for hard work,* His Excellency, Governor Okowa appointed him as Director-General of Community Youth Associations in the state. This goes to show that he is hardworking, understands the grassroots politics of the state and surely *delivers on all assignments given to him* by his leaders.

 We therefore state categorically that *it will be a great disservice to the good people of Oshimili North if  he fails to listen to the voice of the masses by dethroning the incumbent because Oshimili North needs a positive change and a vibrant voice.*

 *WITH REFERENCE TO 2015 WHEN THE “ASABA KPOI AGENDA” CAME ON BOARD, THE MASSES WERE SO HAPPY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND THOUGHT THEIR MESSIAH HAS COME BUT WERE DISMAYED WHEN SUDDENLY YOUR PRINCIPAL WITHDREW FROM THE RACE REASON BEING THAT THE POLITICAL LEADERS HAVE DIRECTED SO. I HOPE THE SAME STORY WILL NOT REPEAT ITSELF THIS TIME?*

No. Not at all. We strongly believe that *PDP is democratic in nature and will not allow the same story to continue repeating itself* . Aside the *PDP political leaders, the Oshimili North elders and youths have also endorsed him not because of political interest but because of his antecedents* . He is widely accepted in the council because even the last state council election made us believe more that he is really a man of the people because as jubilations were ongoing over his supporter’s victory, people were congratulating him as if he was the one who won the election. So, *our leader, Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi has promised all aspirants of level playing field so it is no longer business as usual.* All contestants should work harder for their votes to match our Principal while we eagerly await who crosses the finishing line first. I can assure you that “ *Ozigbo-Ozigbo Agenda” is the man to beat come 2019.*

 *WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT OTHER ASPIRANTS AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO TELL THE ELECTORATE?*

Well, anybody is free to contest for any position of his or her interest. As an action man, our principal is ever ready to go for the contest at primary level and hopefully at the election proper and we also enjoin other aspirants to come on board for the contest and whoever emerges winner at the primary level according to the people’s choice go ahead with the election proper. The electorate should also not be afraid to support a man, who is ready to make a change; who has the interest of the grassroots at heart. *I know that other aspirants are afraid of our Principal, Hon. Innocent Esewezie because he is a grassroots man and mobilizer.*

 *ARE YOU ASSURING OUR PEOPLE THAT THE “OZIGBO- OZIGBO AGENDA” IS BATTLE READY TO DEFEAT ANY OPPONENT?*

(Laughs) We know what we have; we know our principal’s antecedents. *The “Ozigbo-Ozigbo Agenda” is not in war with anybody. The upcoming election is just a race not war* but we strongly believe that the masses are much awake and exposed now. It is no longer going to be business as usual. The masses will decide.

 *HOW READY IS YOUR PRINCIPAL FINANCIALLY AS YOU KNOW THAT ELECTION IN NIGERIA THESE DAYS IS MONEY?*

Well, my Principal is fully ready to finance all his campaign and we want to assure you that the electorate are wiser now, so if any aspirant is thinking or planning of buying the electorate over, he or she is making a mistake because we need a voice and not a concur member and you know that our Principal, Hon. Innocent Esewezie does not fall in that category.

 *WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF OSHIMILI NORTH?*

People should know that we need change at this time and should not be bought over with money as it has always played out in every election period. They should look out for the most popular candidate who will give us a voice in the House of Assembly and take us to the next level.

 *WHAT IS YOUR PRINCIPAL'S ASSURANCE TO THE MASSES AS REGARDS SECURITY?*

Well, he has done it before and he will do it again. *I want to remind you that when he was the Council Transition Chairman, he fought cultism and crime to barest minimum and equally engaged the youths who were into those social vices.* We also want to use this opportunity to *advice* the youths not to submit themselves to be used as electoral thugs or cause chaos during elections. They should remain instruments of peace and harmony and ensure they vote the right candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly come 2019, which is *Hon. Innocent Esewezie*