By Anthony Arugba

Hon. Pharm. Victor Ofobrukueta, Executive Chairman, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State took a giant leap in life when he decided to serve his people of Ethiope East. Hence, he was soon called to this service through the mandate freely given to him by the electorate and ever since, has never looked back but focused on exceptional service delivery.
In the twilight of his administration, it was worth reflecting on the philosophy of this great politician and humanist anchored on service. He had served as Supervisor for Health in Ethiope East Local Government Area and Leader of Ethiope East Legislative Arm. In the professional sphere of life, he was Delta State Chairman, Association of Pharmacists, all of which he has used to connect to his people directly in the most impactful manner. But it is as LG chairman that he has impacted a larger number of people of his dear Ethiope East local government in three years.
Precisely, on March 8, 2021, Hon. (Pharm.) Ofobrukueta was inaugurated Chairman, Ethiope East Local Government Area. On assumption of office, Ofobrukueta hit the ground running, highlighting that he has what it takes to make Ethiope East greater as he marched words with action via his Vision 2040. A futuristic leader and master planner, Ofobrukueta’s brainchild, the Vision 2040 blueprint, was conceived as a 20-year developmental blueprint for the development of Ethiope East, remaining as a key aspect of his manifesto.
Believing in continuity, he consolidated on the legacies of his predecessors and charted his own path in order to show the stuff he is made off. One of the best paths he took was to organize an economic summit to launch his Vision 2040 blueprint. As a conscientious administrator, he had a clear vision of what he wanted to do, where he wanted to take Ethiope East and how to bring it to reality. He kickstarted his campaign with a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative with investors for Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) development knowing that the grassroots is home to SMEs. As part of ways to sustain and solidify his vision 2040, the effort was creamed with an Agricultural/Cultural fair last December. The cardinal points of his vision are human capital development, to grow the socio-economic base of the local government area as well as infrastructural development of the area all in a bid to build a middle-class society in Ethiope East.

Human Capital Development

As part of his human capital development drive, 500 indigenes were sent to Entrepreneurship Training School at Ugbokodo for skills acquisition. They were trained in fashion design, shoe making, welding and catering services. After the training and subsequent presentation of certificates of participation, they were empowered with starter packs to enable them to establish themselves towards becoming self-reliant. In addition, during the Chairman’s first 100 days in office, another 1, 000 persons were empowered with equipments such as grinding machines, generating sets, welding machines, and cooking utensils, among other items.

Infrastructure Development

Ofobrukueta in order to make governance seamless, embarked on the renovation of the legislative quarters to give it a facelift. The working chairman as he is fondly called also built four market stores at Okhurekpo and other areas. There is an ongoing construction of a civic centre in Okpara Community. In addition, he embarked on the beautification of Isiokolo Roundabout being the headquarters of Ethiope East local government. The council embarked on palliative measures on the failed portions of Abraka/Agbor/ express road to make it motor-able for residents of the university community of Abraka and its environs, even though it is a Federal road but Ofobrukueta chose to put his people first. He also embarked on another palliative measure two weeks ago at Eku/Abraka roads.

Security

With a clear understanding that the security of lives and property is the primary function of government either at the federal, state or grassroots, Ofobrukueta as the Chief Security Officer/Chairman established

community policing with a view to combating crime and criminality in the area. In addition, he domesticated the state government Delta State Community Security Corps, which he and his executive inaugurated and purchased eleven Siena buses (one for each ward in the local government area) to enhance mobility in their operational activities. Also, three Toyota Corolla cars were procured as official vehicles for the Council Secretary, Leader of the Legislative Arm and Head of Personnel Management (HPM) for seamless mobility while carrying out their official duties.

Health

His guiding principle is health is first and health is wealth. Thus, the LG chairman, without doubt, brought his wealth of experience as a pharmacist to bear in the administration of the health sector in the local government. He prioritised mental health and the general well-being of Ethiope East people. He believes that cleanliness is next to health, so he set out to achieve environmental sanitation through “Operation Clean Ethiope East” with emphasis on urban centres, particularly Abraka and the local government area headquartered in Isiokolo. As a tireless and exemplary leader, he took his team from street-to-street to ensure proper collection of waste and to sanitise the local government. He renovated several health centres including the one in Ovu.

Education

Ofobrukueta has said that providing the child with quality education is one of the greatest gifts he could ever give them as a leader. “No matter where life takes them, a good education will equip them with the necessary tools to strive and succeed and follow their dreams, he said. It was on the basis of this that Pharm. Ofobrukueta made it a priority to distribute writing materials: biros, pencils, erasers and notebooks to the 62 primary schools in Ethiope East as well as 28 secondary schools in the local government area. Recall the joy of the people when Hon. Oforbrukueta renovated Imoje Primary School.

Truly when God favours you it always seems like a dream! Hon. Pharm Ofobrukueta is a man after God’s heart. For 20 years, PDP lost the governorship election while it lost the House of Assembly elections for 12 years. Finally, in the 2023 election, good fortune smiled on the party. It was by the grace of God and the unflinching unity of the party as anchored by the chairman and the leaders of the party, that victory eventually came to the party in Ethiope East. Winning both the House of Assembly and governorship elections after 12 years and 20 years, respectively under his reign as chairman is a sign of greater things to come.

Let’s pause and ponder- truly, Pharm. Ofobrukueta has done well and deserves a second tenure for obvious reasons. Firstly, he represents continuity in Ethiope East which is predominantly a PDP local government area. Allowing a greenhorn will bring about the disruption of the 2040 blueprint put in place by Ofobrukueta, which is a long-term developmental plan for Ethiope East. As the one in the driver’s seat, it will prove beneficial for Ethiope East for him as the pioneer of the initiative to consolidate on the gains of the vision 2040 blueprint so far made, so that whoever takes over from him at the end of his second term will be enriched with his legacies. Secondly, the way Ofobrukueta led the people of Ethiope East with confidence, grace and charisma during the post-COVID-19 period speaks volumes of his ability as a servant leader. He ensured strict compliance with the COVID-19 rules, thereby preventing the spread of the virus in the local government area. Thirdly, the way he took many youths out of the streets and turned them into productive individuals and employers of labour through his skills acquisition initiative is worthy of continuity. Another reason is, if Ofobrukueta could stay as Leader of Ethiope East Legislative Arm for one tenure of three years and Chairman for a tenure without rancour, it means there must be something spectacular about his personal character and ability to accommodate all.

Again, matching federal allocation with the wage bill of Ethiope East Council staff and primary school teachers makes us really salute the dogged and prudent management skill of Hon Victor Ofobrukueta. Despite this very challenging scenario, the Executive Chairman against all odds has written his name in the Sands of time

Flowing from his remarkable scorecard, Ofobrukueta’s second-term candidacy holds a greater prospect for Ethiope East indigenes than any first-timer. As it stands, Ethiope East will continue to flourish under a path illuminated by his first term. No one changes a winning team. He has shown the light and towers above others who merely want to test the waters! With the support of the entire Ethiope East, it is a second term assured and a better life guaranteed! Ethiope East people love continuity which means more democratic dividends for them. Hence, On Ofobrukueta, they stand!

Arugba wrote from Delta