Hon Pally Iriase is one of the unique politicians Edo North has produced in recent years. Born in the sleepy town of Otuo, Owan East local government area, Hon Iriase has shown the light for politicians across the 18 local government areas in Edo State. In all political offices Iriase has held, the upliftment of the lives of the people and community at large has been his focus.
Before venturing into politics, Hon Iriase was Principal Internal Auditor at Bendel State University between 1982 and 1992. He later became Area Controller of Omega Bank from 1995 to 1998. At the return of democracy in 1999, Hon Iriase won election into the Edo State House of Assembly where he became Deputy Speaker. At the end of the first four years as a lawmaker, Hon Iriase, who was saddened by the dearth of basic infrastructure in many communities in Owan East opted to contest as Chairman of the local council. He won the election and wasted no time in carrying out many developmental projects.
Iriase made giant strides because he refused to join the band wagon of ‘sharing’ the monthly allocations to enrich himself. Iriase connected many communities to the national grid, built schools, health centres and paid salaries as at when due. The activities of Iriase pitched him against the powers that be in the Peoples Democratic Party. He joined the Progressives in Edo State which formed the defunct Action Congressand later metamorphosed into the All Progressives Congress. Iriase also served as the Chairman and Vice President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Iriase was appointed Secretary to the State Government by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2008 and in 2011 he contested and won election to the House of Representatives to represent Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency. He served in several committees which included Housing, Niger Delta, Federal Character, Banking & Currency, Finance, and Public Accounts. He was also the Vice Chairman at the Constituency Outreach Committee.
As a federal lawmaker, Iriase never forgot his people neither was he an Abuja based lawmaker. He attracted several projects such as the Otuo-Ikhin road, Ikhin-Arokho-Otuo road, Iyarebe street, Oise road amongst others. Some communities that got 500kva transformers were Sobe, Sabongida-Ora and Otuo. Information Communication Centres were built at Ipe and Edeki grammar school and he began construction of earth dam to supply water to over 50 communities in Owan East local government.
Hon Iriase also placed any students on scholarships while senior citizens got monthly stipends even after leaving political office. He has won many awards such as best Bank Manager in 1994 and Best Performed Local Government Chairman in 2006.
As Iriase turned 67, he is not resting on his goodwill to the needy. He has kept his doors opened. Many of admirers believed Iriase has so much more to offer the country haven given so much to the growth of the All Progressives Congress. This is wishing him a happy birthday celebration.
James Ogbemudia writes from Afuze
