Promise Ogumu: Omo-Agege's Homecoming, a Well-Deserved Celebration for Deltans

By Maria Udofia

Monday, April 8, 2024

Delta State - Months after he left office as the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Olorogun Ovie Omo Agege, the Obarisi of Urhobo land, dressed in his customary Urhobo attire, arrived in Delta, specifically Ugehelli North Local Government Area of the state, to a grand welcome by his kinsmen, politicians, friends, and top functionaries of the federal government.

Human movement came to a standstill at Osubi Airport shortly after his arrival, as he was accompanied by a host of politicians, including his long-standing brother, friend, and political ally, Distinguished Senator Peter Nwanboshi, Promise Ogumu, and many others who were all present at the airport to welcome the influential and formidable Delta State APC political leader. Due to the massive crowd, his entourage could not disembark upon arrival, resulting in a delay of over four hours before they could finally make their way through the crowds of villagers, political associates, and friends.

As Ovie Omo Agege's convoy traveled from Osubi to Ugehelli, the venue of the homecoming reception, thousands of Deltans lined the road, waving enthusiastically and expressing their joy. As early as 8 am on Saturday, a crowd of Deltans had gathered at the reception venue in Ugehelli, eagerly awaiting Ovie Omo Agege's arrival from Osubi. Shortly after his arrival, the mammoth crowd erupted in cheers.

Speaking to news reporters at the venue, Mr. Promise Ogumu, former Ika North East House of Assembly aspirant under the platform of the All Progressive's Congress (APC) and CEO of Prodan Global Consolidated Properties Ltd, stated that Omo-Agege's homecoming is a testament to his political power in Delta, evident by the overwhelming number of Deltans who came out to welcome their leader.

According to Promise Ogumu, Omo-Agege's homecoming is a well-deserved celebration for Deltans. He emphasized that there is no politician, both dead and alive, in the history of Delta State with a political record that rivals Omo Agege's in the history of Nigeria. He urged skeptics to check the records, as they are public knowledge. He stated, "Sentiments aside, there is no senator, from the first republic to the fourth republic, who has achieved what Agege has."

Promise Ogumu further stressed that, based on anecdotal evidence gleaned from National Assembly records, Omo-Agege holds the record as the most productive senator elected by Delta State, excelling in core legislative duties, constituency projects, and strategic political engagements. He highlighted Omo-Agege's accomplishments such as securing the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun for Urhoboland, establishing a campus of the Nigerian Law School, and the Nigerian Defence Space College, among others. He also pointed out that Omo-Agege ensured that the Ndokwa people have a federal institution and brought development projects to all three senatorial districts in Delta as a representative of Delta Central Senatorial district.

Ovie Omo Agege spearheaded the execution of over 80 significant educational and ICT infrastructure projects in schools across Delta State. These initiatives included the construction of new and renovated classrooms, state-of-the-art ICT facilities, provision of desks, computers, and sports equipment to enhance learning in schools. In order to improve access to primary healthcare, the former Deputy Senate President facilitated the provision and installation of dental and ophthalmological equipment to Mariere Memorial Central Hospital in Ughelli, as well as the construction of a primary healthcare center in Omavovwe-Agbarho.

In terms of human capital development and economic empowerment, Ovie Omo Agege successfully recommended the employment of Deltans from all senatorial districts as political aides, placing them in boards of federal parastatals, governing councils of tertiary institutions, ambassadorial positions, and other key political positions. With a focus on women and youth empowerment, the DSP facilitated the provision of hundreds of motorbikes, tricycles, sewing machines, and grinding machines. Additionally, he sponsored Deltans for federal intervention programs, including loans, grants, establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and skills acquisition training.

Furthermore, Promise Ogumu highlighted Ovie Omo Agege's role as the Chairman of the Senate Committee for the Review of the 1999 Constitution (CRC). Leading the submission of over 300 memoranda on various thematic areas of the exercise, Omo Agege ensured that all Nigerians had the opportunity to participate in the process of producing a constitution that is fair and satisfactory to all. He firmly believes that constitutional amendment is a fundamental principle of constitutionalism in a participatory democracy.

Prominently, Promise Ogumu declared, "Ovie Omo Agege is our hero, a hero defined as a person of distinguished courage and ability, admired for brave deeds." He explained that being a hero encompasses more than just bravery and ability; it involves the representation and image the hero portrays. Ogumu concluded by asserting that there is no one comparable to Ovie Omo Agege in the history of Delta State politics, citing his numerous achievements as evidence of his heroic status.