Hon. Godwin Adode, who hails from Ododegho community, is the Chairman of Ughelli North local government area of Delta.

 In this interview with Sunday Vanguard,he bares his mind on variety of issues ranging from his first year in office, his developemtal projects and the victory of Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa in the recent governorship election.

Adode

What challenges did you face when you assumed office as the council chairman of Ughelli North local government area?

When I came on board as chairman under one week, there were lots of challenges on ground and one of such was the issue of Fulani herdsmen in Uwheru and Agadama community.

It was a serious challenge that l had to battle with. It was very tough, but with the advice of friends who had had similar issues in their local governments and with the wisdom of God, l was able to calm the situation.

Initially, l was confused on where to start from but later, I started consulting some of my friends who were two times chairmen in other local governments on how to tackle the issue and even prayed over it.

What will you recall as your best moment for the period of one year you have been in the office?

To be candid, everyday was my best moment because when you have life, every other thing will follow. But be that as it may, I will say I don’t  have passion for the office but passion for my people.

The truth is that I have done a lot to change lives. Sometime ago, a girl that cried to my office for assistance to learn hair dressing but she hadn’t anything on her, I kept quiet for sometime thinking what l could do, until l called somebody and the girl was enrolled. Today she is still learning that programme and l felt very happy that l have put smile on the face of somebody.

Apart from that, there is a young man that came to my office that he wants to go to law school but they refused him, because he had a wound in his leg and needed artificial leg since the leg had been amputated. I immediately gave him the money and today he is in law school. These are among the things l have done that have brought joy to me.

How would you describe life before as academician before your aspiration to contest as council chairman?

It was not easy; the pressure now is more than when I was teaching and a coach, things were easier then, than now that I am the chairman. Today as the chairman, APC, PDP and other political parties come to me because as the chairman, l have to do all that is necessary because my party like you know under the leadership of Governor Okowa does not discriminate and that is where l stand.

https://newlive.vanguardngr.com/2019/03/state-govt-plans-to-create-silicon-plateau-to-reduce-youth-unemployability/

Today, all that voted us were both from PDP, APC and other political parties whom the working governor has touched their lives, they have no other option than to support the political train of Okowa who had magnanimously played his fatherly role to all Deltans without discrimination and they all know me before now as grassroots man.

You can now see that my life before l became chairman made me to know a lot of people mostly as coach, training a lot of people, now it has transcended into politics that our people would want to identify with me, saying, “Na coache party PDP l go vote give, meaning apart from being a teacher, l have made impart on the people, and that is a plus.

Different people have described you as the best council chairman in the state with the achievements you have recorded so far, what is your take on this?

Let me first of all say that my developmental projects in Ughelli North are inspirations from Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, and because of that I have actually done a lot that if I begin to count, we will not leave here today; I don’t have passion for the office but have passion for my people. What I’m doing now is to right the wrongs in the local government. Though, we are working with a very lean finances, the little that is coming, we trying to empower some people.

I was doing a lot of empowerment on women, at least 20 women every month. I have empowered over 170 persons both male and female on hair dressing, fashion and designs which recently just t passed out.

I gave out 70 sowing machines, 70 head dressing dryers and 70 washing hand basins which I give to the best among all. At Uwheru I picked two boys for training, over 5 boys to learn hand work which costs over N50,000.00. I am also building 6 class rooms block at Ododegho community.

I did the renovation of the healthcare centre around the council and even expanded it,  and I bought chairs for the Legislative Arm worth N4M, the Agbarho bridge was also reconstructed by my administration because of the series of accidents that happen there and other projects I could not remember.

What other projects do you wish to accomplish before you leave office that are dear to you?

I went round to see some schools recently and I was not comfortable with what I saw and to complement the effort of government in the area of education,we  are trying to do our best because that is my primary area whether as a council chairman or not,  l love teaching.

I am also trying to work on one of the roundabouts because one of our brothers did one and I take it as a challenge. I am also trying to work on water projects in some of the communities. In fact, it may interest you to know that l am the first local government chairman to organize Urhobo language competition for secondary schools in Delta State.

How would you describe Okowa’s victory ?

I was so happy and  I  thank God for his victory. I know he will do more for the state and that is why he was nicknamed the Ekwueme because he believes in working to satisfy Deltans and l know the electorate have faith in him that he will not disappoint them.

https://newlive.vanguardngr.com/2019/03/state-govt-plans-to-create-silicon-plateau-to-reduce-youth-unemployability/

Do you see Ogboru going to court to challenge Okowa’s victory as a problem to your party?

For me, the man just want to waste his time going to court. The margin is just too much. He is going to court to tell his people that he went to court, though I lost, If not we all know that Okowa defeated him even in his own town.

What are your expectations in 2019 as Okowa assumes his 2nd tenure?

What he did in his first tenure will be little compared to what he intends to do again. He has said it and he is a man who always keeps to his promise. I believe Okowa will not disappoint Deltans and he is the man I am emulating. That is why am doing what am doing in Ughelli North as the chairman in terms of development.

In Okowa’s first tenure, he did so well and that had given him victory at the end of the day and this he has extended to everyone