OCHEREOME Nnanna’s weekly column in the VANGUARD of March 1, 2012 made quite interesting reading as the ebullient journalist captured vividly the true transformation taking place in Edo State pioneered by the peoples Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Ochereome’s treatise reminds one of eminent columnists in New York Times and Washington Post  who, through their writings, brought about revolutionary changes in America of today where most Nigerian leaders often run to for  holidays  while they preside over the decimation of their fatherland.

Unfortunately, however, his innocuous article was unwarrantedly attacked and misinterpreted by one hungry politician, Okharedia Ihimekpen who claims to be a journalist (Vanguard, March 14). He deliberately refused to identify himself truly as a card carrying member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, who, though a jobless young man who would not look for a positive way to eke a living, but settles for the yeo man’s job for political godfathers.

The reading public must appreciate therefore, while he dedicated the half page rejoinder to casting aspersions on the performing peoples’ Governor of Edo State, Comrade Oshiomhole. I am sure the reading public appreciates his vain effort to change white to black and blue to indigo and violet.

But pitiably, he keeps presenting the same vain issues each time he embarks on his hatchet delivery. He never has any new message to give except the same old stories which bear no iota of truth.

Nnanna’s account on the administration of Comrade  Oshiomhole in Edo State are true, well researched and verifiable. He demonstrated his journalism prowess far and above Ihimekpen’s gaffe and yellow journalism which was more of an open appeal to the PDP godfathers for a lifeline. Nnanna was thorough and faultless, he showed that he is not a bread and butter journalist but one who has cut his teeth in the pen profession.

In further support of Nnanna’s treatise, it is important to emphasise that Oshiomhole is not struggling for the maintenance of federal roads in Edo State. He is constructing well over 120 roads in the state within a space of three years. Everywhere you go to in the state, the buldozers, pail loaders, asphalt machines and all road construction equipment are speaking for the ACN government ably led by Comrade Oshiomhole. Even gubernatorial aspirants of the PDP who just teamed up with Oshimhole to defeat the manipulated PDP candidate attest to the wonderful work Oshiomhole is doing to develop the state.

Another point of observation in Ihimekpen’s fallacy is that whenever he writes he picks on one area to say Oshiomhole is doing well. In this case he picked roads. In the last but one tell tale, he picked environment. Some other time, he picks education, yet he goes on to say the man has done nothing. This clearly shows that Ihimekpen probably needs the attention of a doctor because he seems to be under melancholy stage.

The massive multi-billion naira Benin Water Works which seeks to channel erosion that has been threatening the city centre for ages from the Eghosa Grammar School end, through the Five Junction/ Tomline to Second Power line in Evbuotubu is being vigorously implemented alongside the provision of additional two lanes in the Dawson Ugbowo-Oluku road, is even enough to praise Oshiomhole.

What with the reconstruction of all public schools in the state which Ihimekpen craftily attributed to the Federal Government’s Universal Basic Education scheme. Was the UBE scheme not in place all through the 10 wasted years of the PDP in Edo State? Why did they not tap into the pool of funds or was there a monster in front of the premises of the UBE office in Abuja that prevented the PDP from tapping the funds? Was education not a priority for the Edo PDP and why is it now that Oshoimhole is developing the schools that it becomes an issue for Edo PDP? Everyone knows that accessing the UBE scheme requires counterpart funding from the benefiting state government. That is why so many unviable states in the country shy away from the scheme. But Oshiomhole had to raise funds through constitutionally recognised means to tap into the UBE scheme and today, all public schools are glowing even in the villages and Ihimekpen’s PDP are envious.

The  repeated stories around school fees paid by the AAU students is over- politicised because whatever decision the Oshiomhole administration took on the public schools is in the best interest of the schools and Edo people. One good thing about his government is that there are no pretences. There is no single student that dropped out of school on account of school fees. I challenge Ihimekpen to produce an accurate list of the 20 per cent of students who dropped out of AAU on account of school fees. Even the school fees was recently slashed by the state government as its own palliative measure following the increase in pump price of petrol by the PDP-led Federal Government. Will Ihimekpen claim ignorance of this fact? But more importantly, all fees collected in AAU remain in AAU. Oshiomhole’s government equally adds monthly subvention to the school fees collected.

Today, several development projects are at various stages of completion being embarked upon by authorities of the University.

Mr. DAN OWEGIEis ACN Publicity Secretary State.