Gideon Obahkhan : Edo Has A Chance 

Gideon Obahkhan : Edo Has A Chance

Written by Tijjani Ibrahim

The last time the good people of Edo State tasted any form of good governance was in 2016 when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s second tenure of four years officially ended. Since then, everything relating to decent governance vanished as the only thing left for the people now is to savour the sweet memories of the progressive and development focused administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

During Oshiomhole’s administration the state witnessed a serious turn around in the public school system and saw hundreds of public schools across the 192 wards either completely rebuilt, reconstructed and upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities. The schools were massively remodeled, teachers trained and retrained, with top class laboratories to facilitate the government’s drive to encourage students to pursue career paths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to increase their competitiveness in a 21st century world and empower them to contribute to the technological advancement of the state. And of course, the establishment of Edo State University Iyamo that has contributed immensely to educational advancement in the state and Nigeria at large.

In the health sector, Comrade Oshiomhole built one of the best medical facilities one can find in Nigeria today known as Edo Central Hospital. That government also did a massive job in road construction and reconstruction. It built several thousands of kilometers of new roads and expanded many with sidewalks, drainages and in some cases with street lights and greeneries. The Oshiomhole government also greatly improved the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and increased workers’ salaries among many other welfarist programmes it undertook.

Unfortunately, these achievements and great strides didn’t continue after Comrade Oshiomhole left office because Governor Obaseki neither have the capacity, zeal, competence nor commitment to improve things in the state. Hence development stopped where Oshiomhole left off in 2016 and the state has been running on autopilot in the last seven years. Indeed, a heavy knee is on the neck of development in Edo State. However, Edo is about to be free again, free from the shackles of stagnation and retrogression foisted on it by the sadistic Obaseki led administration. 

Today Hon. Gideon Obhakhan a reliable and honest man, lover of the people with adequate public and private sectors experience has come to halt the drift as far as bad governance in the state is concerned. Many are happy that Hon. Obhakhan was a member of the Oshiomole Administration as he was appointed Commissioner for Education in 2015 and made inputs to the success of the government especially in the Red Roof Revolution programme, a school remodeling scheme under his ministry during the period he held sway as commissioner. He led the ministry of Education in the State with vision, capacity and an uncommon courage, driving a robust policy formulation and implementation process which many have described as one of the most successful in the state’s history and handed over a strong, viable and efficiently managed ministry to the government that succeeded that of the Comrade.

Hon. Gideon Obhakhan is a lover of the people and a believer in

their welfare. Aside his commitment to education and security

for all, he is also passionate about eradication of poverty, hunger

and unemployment. Another area he has strong interest in, is safety and

security of people and had demonstrated that in many ways

even before he ventured into politics. For instance, in 2014, he donated 5 HiLux Vans to the then Government of Edo State to help in the fight against crime and criminality in the State this was done as a private citizen. He also runs a foundation known as Gideon Obhakhan Foundation, through which he carries out humanitarian services and pursue his passion to assist the masses. Through this foundation, scholarships have been given to indigent students.

Artisans have acquired training and tools to help them excel in their business ventures, market women have been helped in their petty trading and many persons have been assisted to set up small and medium enterprises, including various youth empowerment and employment programmes. He facilitated the construction of international standard science laboratory in his community’s school. And sponsored distribution of relief materials during the Covid-19 lock down across all the wards in Esan West Local Government Area.

On the political front Hon. Gideon Obhakhan is a loyal party man who has contributed greatly to the All Progressives Congress and continued to serve it, often times selflessly in different capacities. For instance, in the run up to the 2020 Governorship race in Edo State Hon. Obhakhan served in several committees on the campaign council which includes: Election Research, Planning and Strategy– Chairman, Media Research – Vice Chairman, Outdoor Advert and Campaign – Vice Chairman. Edo Central Committee on Non-Edo indigenes – Chairman, State Security Committee – Member. He equally served as Director of Research and Statistics, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu POI Campaign Organization.

At the national level he was part of the APC 2023 Presidential Election Council which saw the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President Elect where he served in two national Directorates. The Public Affairs Directorate, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council – Secretary. He also served in the Reconciliation Directorate, Independent Campaign Organisation for Tinubu/Shettima.

Born on the 21st of January 1972, Hon. Gideon Osolease Obhakhan began his education at Emaudo Primary School, Ekpoma Edo State in 1977 and then proceeded to Annunciation Catholic College (ACC) Irrua. He obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from Auchi Polytechnic and a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours) from University of Benin in 1995 accumulating over 4 points Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). His burning desire for more knowledge further led him to University of Lagos where he got a Master’s degree in Communication Engineering. This Craving for knowledge did not stop until he proceeded to the United Kingdom where he bagged another Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Leicester. Upon his return to Nigeria his desire for more academic exploits saw him take a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration in University of Benin where he was the best graduating student of his set. Still not done he obtained another Master’s degree in Political Science in University of Benin yet again as the best graduating student. He is currently studying for his PhD in Comparative Politics and Development Studies.

Hon. Gideon Obhakhan has 22 years postgraduate professional work experience spanning different sectors of the Nigerian economy including Telecommunications, Oil and Gas and different areas of Merchandising. He cut his professional teeth at Mobitel Limited a telecoms company and later worked at EMIS Telecoms before joining telecoms giant MTN Nigeria Telecommunications Limited where he rose to the position of General Manager, Network Planning, the highest position held by any Edo State indigene at the time. While at MTN, Obhakhan distinguished himself as a committed officer, winning the CEO Yéllo Manager Award in 2013 for excellent performance among several others before resigning to contest the Federal House of Representative seat for Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency in 2015.

With such brilliant academic attainment and sterling professional and humanitarian accomplishment backed with a huge capacity and passion to achieve success, Hon. Gideon Obhakhan will no doubt bring Edo State back to the path of growth and economic recovery. LET’S GIVE HIM A CHANCE.

Tijjani Ibrahim is a Journalist, Data Analyst, Digital and Strategic communication Expert and Political communication specialist. He can be reached on 08034386837 and email @ drtijjaniibrahim@gmail.com