Pharm. Iyare, Says The Comrade Governor Has Set High Performance Standard That Must Be Sustained.


Oshiomhole’s legacies and high performance standard can only be sustained and built upon by a successor imbued with integrity, courage and transparency in the conduct of public affairs. This disclosure was made in Benin during the week by Pharmacist Chris Iyare during an engagement with the Weekend Observer.
Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Edo State Branch and governorship aspirant in the Edo 2016 polls, pharmacist Iyare said that having taken a critical look at Edo State and the fact that Oshiomhole has raised the bar of governance, he is convinced that “I have what it takes to sustain Oshiomhole’s legacies and build on them”.

MAY we know you, please?

My name is Pharmacist Chris Osasere Iyare. I was born on the 9th of March 1972. So, I am currently 43 years old. By the Grace of God, by next year, I will be 44. I am a graduate of the University of Benin. I joined the Hospital Management Board as a senior pharmacist, from there I rose to the position of the Assistant Director of Pharmaceutical services back in 2010. My promotion to director has been due since 2014. I’m also the Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Edo State. I won the election in January 2015. For me, the passion and vision to become Governor of Edo State came around 2012. Since then, I have been working quietly over it. When I had the vision in 2012, I saw a governor that has done something differently. Oshiomhole has raised the bar of governance in Edo State and I believe then that when Oshiomhole leaves, I would take over. I believe that I have what it takes to take Edo state to the next level. I also believe that the legacies of Oshiomhole’s need to be sustained. They need to be improved upon. These are my driving forces. My life has been a life of a passion, of service, both in public and private. I’m also the Director of Golden Bell Pharmacy, Sapele Road. So in my private and public life, it has been about service. I’ve worked as an entrepreneur. Even as an entrepreneur, I have to use men and material resources together. Also, I’m a very prudent manager of resources and I know how to plan. The problem is that people running the government are not resource generators but consumers. For me, I’m a resource generator. I know how to convert 2 naira to 5 naira. If I become the Chief Executive of this state, these are the issues  I will address I’m diligent, I’m resourceful and innovative. I’m a visionary. So, for Edo State to go forward, I believe I’m the next person in line for governance. I’m hereby soliciting the support of all in Edo people to help me realize my vision. I believe that I will take Edo State to the next level.
Strategies

I cannot speak for the incumbents. Perhaps, there have been some contingencies why they have not been able to do what is expected of them. If I have the opportunity, I think I’m going to run a progressive government. I believe that I should be able to let the people in on what ever obstacles I have. A governor should hold a monthly meeting with the people. These meetings should be broadcast through the various means. I believe it’s all about political will and what one sets out to do.

Jobless politicians

Politicians should not be jobless people. I, for instance am not a jobless person. I have a business and therefore not idle. I’m contented with what I have but I’m not happy that the ordinary man on the street is not able to feed. I don’t need too much because I’m contented with what I have but I’m driven to make a difference in the lives of the people. So, I will stick to my words.

Governance is about delivering democracy dividends. The problem with politics, especially in Africa is that there is guif between manifesto and performance. It is very easy for a man to say ‘I will do this or that’ but when elected into office’ performance is a different thing entirely. What guarantee is there that if you are given the mandate, you will have the capacity to translate your vision, your mission and the objectives you just articulated into reality?

Thank you very much for that question. I can tell you that, not until you get to a place, you will not know what is obtainable. People are used to promising heaven on earth without eventually delivering. I begin to ask myself if there is something there that makes them not to perform or are they simply liars. Luckily too, I have just found out that all politicians do not fall into this category. Some actually keep to their promises while others don’t. So, the people have to device a means to decipher between a lying and truthful politician.

In 1999, Nigeria came into another chapter of democracy after so many years of military dictatorship. Between 1999 and now, a lot of water has passed under the bridge Some people are of the opinion that what we actually have on ground is not true  democracy but civilian government because of the interplay of forces within the political terrain, where you have absence of internal democracy in political parties that is “supposed to regulate democratic conduct or practices. Are you satisfied with the democratic process since 1999?
Well, a lot has been achieved; I think there is need for improvement in our democracy, especially in the aspect of internal democracy. I think it is one of the factors that lead to the defeat of the ruling party at the national level. So, there is room for improvement.

Now, how would you react to the bailout that has just been granted to states by the federal government?
I do not have any comment on that because I don’t have all the facts.

How do you see the visit of President Mohammadu Buhari to the United States of America?
It is very laudable. Laudable because we need the assistance of America in the area of security in the country and also the area of investment. I think these are issues the President has gone to tackle in the US. His going to America shows that Nigeria has come of age and any serious government in the world would want to identify with this country.

When Buhari was addressed the business community in the US, he said that critical sectors of the economy would be privatized; energy, gas and so many others. Meanwhile, the energy sector that was sold about 2 years ago by Jonathan administration is not performing well.
My response at the moment is that President Buhari is the one wearing the shoes. I do not believe in commenting on situations I have not verified. Which ever way, I think that every government policy should benefit the general public.

What areas of the socio-economic structure of Edo state would you like to tackle upon assumption of office?
In Edo State we need to arrest the issue of youth unemployment. Employment will be created under sanitation service, law enforcement, agriculture. We will also concentrate on education, healthcare, infrastructural development etc. etc.

Finally, what is your advice to Edo people as we move towards 2016?
Yes, the people of Edo State should have hope. I invite every Edo person to participate in the political process so that we will have a credible government that will cater for the needs of the people and build on the legacies of Oshiomhole.