In a bid to foster unity and strategies for the sustainable development of Edo South Senatorial District, prominent leaders and other stakeholders in the senatorial district converged on Benin City, the Edo State capital, to chart a course for the region’s advancement.
Presenting the eight-point communiqué reached at the end of the meeting to journalists in Benin City, former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the parley became necessary to set an agenda for the unity and sustainable growth and development of the senatorial district.
The communiqué reads: “The meeting was convened at the instance of a core group led by His Excellency, John Odigie-Oyegun (past Governor, Edo State), with His Excellency Godwin Obaseki (Governor, Edo State) and His Excellency, Lucky Igbinedion (past Governor, Edo State) as co-hosts.
“In attendance was an impressive cross-section of Edo-South sons and daughters from the public and private sectors, different professional and social backgrounds, and cutting across political divides.
“There was a consensus on the underlying objective to meaningfully interrogate, articulate, redefine, and refocus the collective interests of all the people who constitute the population of the Edo-South Senatorial District within the context of Nigeria’s prevailing political and economic realities.
“After exhaustive engaging and productive discussion of different perspectives to the stated objective, a number of resolutions were arrived at.”
It further noted, “It was resolved that a broad-based elite consensus be engendered to enable us strategically leverage on the competitive advantage of our demographic strength, and the unique creative and productive potentials of our people in order to reverse the progressively diminished relevance and influence of our people in all spheres – national and sub-national.
“It was further resolved that, in pursuit of our stated goals of seeking to effectively reposition the Edo-South Senatorial district for the critical challenges that lie ahead of our State and the nation, we must rise above political partisanship in all its ramifications. Our singular focus must be the interest of Edo-South.
“Also resolved was the decision to engage, and where feasible, cooperate with other similar groups within and outside Edo State to the extent that such engagement results in the promotion of our stated objective.
It added, “As the platform for the aggregation of the interests of the Edo South Senatorial District, the meeting will be held on a regular basis.”
Other leaders at the meeting include former Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, DIG Parry Osayande (Rtd), HRH Enogie of Evbuobanosa, Prof. Greg Akenzua, Dr. Tonnie Iredia, Engr. Greg Obeifun, former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie, Sen. Neda Imasuen, Market Women Leader, Blacky Ogiamien, and Dr. Victor Enoghama, amongst others.
