By Francis Ogbuagu
Engr Ehizogie Eugene Okosun is a UK based Engineer, born in Benin City,he attended Lumley Catholic Primary School;Edokpolor Grammar School all in Benin.He also attended Edo State University ( now Prof.Ambrose Ali University)Ekpoma, where he studied Physics and graduated in 1998, Okosun did the mandatory one year NYSC service in Akwa Ibom State,he briefly worked with Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited in Nigeria, before moving to UK for further education.He is currently working with the Egyptian Government as a consultant for their LRT rail project in the new administrative capital. He was also part of the team that worked for Qatar, for their first ever rail project,and was head of Health and Safety Department for the largest stadium(Lusail FIFA Stadium) in Qatar proposed to host the opening and closing ceremonies of 2022 World Cup. In this interview with Francis Ogbuagu,he bares his mind on the just concluded September 19 Edo2020 governership election, Nigeria at 60 and other pressing issues.
Can we meet you sir?
I am Ehizogie Eugene Okosun. I was born in Benin City, in the then Bendel State. My parents(now deceeased) were from Edo State. I grew up in Benin City, attended Lumley Catholic Primary School; Edokpolor Grammar School where I finished in 1990.
I then proceeded to Edo State University, Ekpoma now Ambrose Ali University,where I studied, Physics. My days at the University were very engaging with progressive student union activities especially concerning the overall well-being of students.
I graduated in 1998 and did my NYSC assignment with Shell,Eastern division where I was posted to one of the Shell assisted secondary school in Akwa Ibom State,there I taught Physics.
Life played a fast one on me, just after finishing NYSC in 1999, I was devasted with the demise of my mother especially being the only child. Till date her memories daily lives with me considering the sacrifices she made to make me whom l am today.
With the loss of my mum and still under so much pain and confusion, my maternal uncle Chief, Dr. Leemon Ipkea, President of Lee Engineering & Constitution Company Limited, Global, I am forever grateful to him till date, he gave me strict guidance and mentoring and never allowed me to deviate from the right path. I worked with uncle at his company Lee Engineering & Construction company Ltd which usherd me into the oil and gas industry.
My uncle on seeing my steady development and at the appropriate time sponsored my masters degree in engineering full-time to the UK. He never took his eyes off ensuring I stayed on course and completed my masters in flying colours. That opened the doors to my future carier and development.I met my wife in the UK after studies and alerted my uncle of this. Believe me he flew to London to assess her before granting his blessings. Typical fatherly love. Today I’m happy to say I’m happily married.
How do you see the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State?
First let me once again congratulate the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy , Comrade Philip Shaibu, for their undisputed re-election as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State.
I think the election was peaceful compared to past elections witnessed in Nigeria, well-coordinated, a model for the rest of the nation to follow. The Governor and his teams ran a steadfast and progressive campaign to consolidated their past achievements while projecting great vision for the Edo people. All parties within the PDP both and abroad carried out a clinical campaign and I commend the Edo people for their great unity irrespective of the political divide. We all must work with the government to restore a lasting legacy for our state and nation in general.
What are your expectations from the Obaseki administration in the next four years?
I desire to see a massive turnaround in infrastructural development across the state, most especially in rural and semi urban communities. I also wish to see deliberate and aggressive efforts in thearea of youth empowerment and employment.The government should also set-up a special committee to be tasked in drawing viable investors and going into PPP to enhance the development of the state
Generally, let him keep faith with his electoral promises with the people who stood with him during the election.
How do you think the government can benefit from Edo people in diaspora, especially from experts and businessmen like you?
By setting up a tin tank drawn from across the world and holding periodic seminars to proffer solutions to critical issues of development. I have firm believe in the governor, he a progressive mind, a great thinker and we Edolites both home and abroad collectively are ready to work with the governor and his teams to move our state forward. We are the heart beat of the nation, without the heart the system is gone, so we all must see that the heart is kept healthy at all times and thus render efforts to ensure we succeed .
What is your assessment of the Buhari administration in the last five years?
I believe he has shown genuine commitment even though not much has been achieved. Prior to his administration, PMB promised significant change in the entire system when he was campaigning and the people believed him, especially based on his past records and he was voted into power. The fact is the man, may have good plans, but surrounded with the wrong people you cannot achieve much, a tree cannot make a forest. Our leaders must surround themselves with dynamic and progressive youths who can be mentored. Nigeria’s future rest with the youth, it is time for government to put genuine programs that would emancipate and develop the vibrant youths of our nation if we truly want to have a sustainable future. Growing up, our parents and teachers used to tell us that the youth are the future leaders, but much of these are not seen especially in the present and past administrations. We cannot keep doing the same thing all time every four years and expect positive results. It is time for our leaders to have go on soul-searching, reflection and align with other progressive nations of the world.
This is the 60th anniversary of Nigerian independence, do you think the Nigerian project is working, looking at our level of development?
First, we thank God for keeping us as a nation. A lot more needs to be done to get the country to where it ought to be and it requires the efforts of all of us. Urgent,efficient and effective measures is needed to arrest the worsening security and dilapidating infrastructures in the country. I believe we can do this collectively if we all have genuine commitment and realize that we have only one nation-Nigeria. East or West home is the best.
At this stage, our leaders, public and private individuals must truly go back and read or recite our National Anthem and National pledge and see the weight they carry. This is a binding pledge and oath but unfortunately a lot of us seem not to understand the strong implications they carry.
What is your advice to our leaders on how to get out of our economic quagmire, made worse by the Coronavirus pandemic?
Our leaders should workout an economic model that is suitable for our peculiar situation. Two, get the right people into key positions. Thirdly, set target and put timeline to it.
Finally, this C19 is a wakeup call for our leaders to conscientiously revamp our health care facilities and take the public health very seriously.
