TRACKING______Today, the 30th day of April, 2020, my pen is delighted to Scrabble words to the credit of an astute political general in the Nigerian political institutions. I can confidently say, without a blink of eye, or a price of conscience, and that, Honourable Oforji Oboku is a Politician with the requisite disposition to lead at any level, in the political institutions of Nigeria.
As a leader, and gifted politician, Honourable Oforji Abozibe Oboku has been fully active in the Bayelsa State political affairs since the birth of the tender Bayelsa state. In 2008, he was made Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a position he held for two years.
In 2010 he won the Joint Ticket of Dr. Mike Ogbolosingha and Oforji Oboku to become the Vice Chairman of the Yenagoa Local Government Council under the Peoples Democratic Party. Two years after the expiration of his tenure in the council, he was made the executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Environment Environmental Sanitation Authority, a position he also held for one year.
Then, in April 2016, the Countryman Governor Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, the immediate past Bayelsans State governor, having seen the outright performance of this blessed and gifted Opolo born leader, Oforji Oboku, had no second thought to appoint him as the Chairman Caretaker Committee of the Yenagoa Local Government Council; an appointment he married two consecutive times.
Hon. Oforji A. Oboku is a charismatic leader with a large heart. He, as a Caretaker Chairman, prioritized workers’ salaries and the infrastructural development of Yenagoa Local Government.
He religiously prioritized these objectives as workers received their salaries as at when due. It is also on record that Hon. Oforji’s administration initiated and completed over Sixty projects.
It is worthy of note that most of these projects are community-driven and people-oriented. They are projects that have direct impact on the lives of the ordinary people of Yenagoa Local Government Area. This explains the usual euphoria, excitement and jubilation of the people each time Hon. Oforji visits their communities to commission or inspect these projects. According to him, project is the right of the people as he often says ‘I feel your pains’.
Oforji exemplifies a linient servant-leader. He is approachable and always listens : :ie words of individuals and groups. With such unprecedented level of good will and love for his people, Hon. Oforji commands genuine followership. The people follow him not just because he was a Chairman, but due to his amiable nature and the fact that he has identified with them, and has shown genuine desire to positively affect their lives.
Hon. Oforji in my opinion, has set a standard for the measurement of the performance of Local Government Chairmen within the state and beyond. The numerous projects and programmes delivered by his administration speak volume of the man and his mission in politics.
Hon. Oforji is an astute administrator and manager of men and resources. He knows how to achieve so much with very meagre resources. He was able to achieve so much in terms of infrastructure without compromising the welfare of workers. He personally visits project sites to ensure they are delivered on time and according to specification.
A good leader is not known by his wealth but by the efforts he has applied through the instruments of leadership to positively touch the lives of the people. If the above axiom is correct, then Hon. Oforji is qualified as a good leader, and deserving of a higher and better elective office to continue his humanitarian strides and development for humanity.
He is a man who has always maintained that his joy comes when the people are happy. No wonder he channelled available resources to put smiles on the faces of a greater number of people. The people return the love by always expressing their support to him.
Hon. Oforji is a consumate leader, the people’s person, a great mobilizer, a man of few words but plenty of actions, a detribalized leader, an astute administrator, a man of wisdom and vision, a democrat, a giant in development and a fine politician. He is currently serving as a Member in the Bayelsans State House of Assembly, representing the good people of Epie-Atissa of the Yenagoa Constituency 1. But that position is way too small for a man with a big heart to develop humanity and her environment.
Let’s take up this course, and advocate on his behalf, for a better and higher political office, in order for him to continue his unprecedented and overwhelming human capacity building and empowerment, coupled with his rural and urban developmental strides.
