SENATOR URHOGHIDE : THE PROMISE KEEPER

By Besiru Enakhimion.

The Holy bible said, 

 in Matthew 25, verses 14, 15, 16

"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

" And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one ; to every man according to his several ability ; and straight away took his journey.

"Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents .........".

The bible in verse 21 added that the first servant excelled in the assignment given by his master and that the elated master showered encomium and rewards on the servant that performed excellently. 

 "His lord said unto him, well done,thou good and faithful servant :thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : enter thou into the joy of thy lord".

The above story is the case of the immediate past representative of Edo South Senatorial District in the Nigeria's 9th Senate, Senator (Pharm.) Matthew Urhoghide .

At an interactive session with journalists in Benin city where he recently declared his intention to contest in the Edo state gubernatorial election in 2024, Sen. Urhoghide opined that any one that has occupied a government office should give account of his or her stewardship to the people he had represented.

In line with the above declaration, Sen. Urhoghide reeled out his achievements while in office for eight years.

In a unique style he meticulously chronicled all his achievements in a 180 page book, titled, "Senator( Pharm.) Matthew Urhoghide. My 8 years at the Senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria. 8th and 9th Senate (2015-2023). Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, Nigeria".

Every one has his or her driving force ( beliefs).  For Senator Urhoghide, productive representation is one in which those represented derive tangible benefits. He also believes that benefits of representation are deliverables on campaign promises made in good faith and that good governance is measured by the quantum of benefits that those represented or governed get in the process. 

In the book that contains his stewardship, he boldly stated his social contract with the people of Edo South Senatorial District ( promises he made during electioneering campaign) and added his fulfilment of the promises .

As a man who has passion for service delivery, the distinguished Senator fulfilled his promises to those who voted him into office.

In law making, he made his mark, he proposed and moved many reasonable bills and motions. In the area of oversight functions, he also excelled .

In the Seven Local government areas of his district, he facilitated useful projects .

In Egor Local government area, he facilitated 25 projects. In Ikpoba Okha Local Government area , he facilitated 24 projects . He also facilitated 163 projects in Oredo Local Government Area.

In Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Sen. Urhoghide who was the Chairman of public account committee facilitated 28 projects. The people of Ovia North East Local Government Area, are enjoying 31 projects from the effective representation of Senator Urhoghide today.

The Pharmacist cum politician did not turn his back against the people of Ovia South West Local Government Area. There he facilitated 24 projects. Uhunmwunde Local Government Area was not left out of the magnanimity of Senator Urhoghide . 30 projects were located there through the facilitation of the workaholic senator.

Among the projects facilitated by the senator are provisions and installations of transformers, provisions of solar powered bole holes, construction of blocks of class rooms, construction of markets, installation of solar powered street lights, rehabilitation of roads, construction of town halls , provisions of fertilizer ,installations of deep well boreholes ,construction of primary health care centres, provision of furnitures in schools, construction of facilities for the control of gully erosion amongst others.

In the area of training people in vocation, Senator Urhoghide has been non pareil. As at Tuesday, the 22nd of August, 2023, the senator had facilitated various training programmes that have benefitted a total number of Seven thousand, three hundred and twenty-three (7,323) people made up of men, women and youths .

In all the trainings, beneficiaries were given starter packs, depending on their nature of business. In some cases some beneficiaries were paid the sum of One hundred thousand naira (#100,000.00) , some were paid Three hundred thousand naira while others were paid the sum of Five hundred thousand naira(#500,000.00).

In fulfilment of his campaign promise on educational development, Senator Urhoghide on July 2, 2016 launched a Senator Matthew Urhoghide Scholarship Scheme (SMUSS) and set up a three man panel to manage it. A total number of Three Hundred and Sixty-Seven (367) students drawn from secondary schools and higher institutions have so far benefitted from the scholarship scheme .

 The names, institutions of studies, courses, classes and Local government of origin of beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme are also documented for verification.

Sen. Urhoghide also recommended some students to other bodies for scholarships. Names and addresses of beneficiaries of such venture are also documented.

Sen. Urhoghide had also recommended some people of his district for employments in various organizations and such people had been employed. He had also come to the rescue of some members of his constituency who were in distress at various times.

For economic empowerment and sustainability, the senator had at various times distributed tricycles , motor cycles, hair dressing equipment, grinding machines, generators, sewing machines, freezers and cash to some men, women and youths in his Senatorial district. 

Libyan returnees of Edo South District origin were not forgotten by this hard working senator. He facilitated various training programmes for them and they were empowered  with reasonable starter packs too.

He also sponsored some medical programmes where people of his district enjoyed free medical treatments.

Interestingly, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of beneficiaries of the various programmes/projects he facilitated or sponsored are all documented and  verifiable.

Senator Urhoghide at various times had supported some members of his district with the provision of food stuff and money for their up keep.

Like the story in the bible that was referenced above, distinguished Senator Urhoghide was faithful over a few things and he deserves to be given a bigger assignment ( Edo state governorship seat).

The people of Edo South Senatorial District and indeed the entire state can happily tell Senator Urhoghide, 

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, we will make you ruler over many things( Edo state): enter thou into the joy of the people of the state ".

Yes. Since Senator Urhoghide could achieve so much for the people of Edo South Senatorial District while representing them in the  Senate as stated above, no doubt he will do greater things if given the opportunity to be the governor of Edo State. 

Now that the Senator has declared his intension to contest in the Edo state governorship election in 2024, he should be given the opportunity to serve the people of the state so as to replicate his wonderful performance in a wider scale .