EDHA Speaker Clocks 100 Days In Office, Lists Achievements

By Daniel Dafe, Itse Ukuebeyinje
Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amb Marcus Onobun, representing Esan West Constituency, has clocked 100 days in office.

In a statement personally signed by him, he thanked his constituents for giving him the esteemed platform to serve as a member of the State Assembly, as he also appreciated his colleagues in the Assembly for electing him to serve as the Speaker.

He said: “My emergence as Speaker of the State Assembly was by divine providence and sheer coincidence.”
Adding: “On my first day of presiding over Plenary of the Assembly as Speaker, I unveiled a legislative module that integrates accountability, transparency, synergy, and social inclusion. I reiterated that my tenure will be a memorable one, ladened with people-oriented programmes and policies. So far, a testament of quality representation through sponsoring of bills and resolutions, oversight functions, empowerment, and among others, abound.”
According to him, during his first 100 days in office, he has “laid a solid legislative foundation that will encourage robust discussions, oversight functions driven by patriotism and devoid of parochialism.”

He continued: “The Edo State House of Assembly under my watch has been working tirelessly to reposition itself to be an effective, efficient, and excellent arm of government, working for the good of all Edo people. The Assembly under my leadership is supporting the state government’s reforms, programmes and policies designed to improve capacity of the people, reduce poverty, create employment and wealth, and tackle insecurity.

“Concerned by the spate of insecurity across Edo State, I led other honourable members to the former Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, where we urged the leadership of the police to rise to the occasion and safeguard the lives and properties of people in Edo State.

“Upon my assumption of office during the height of the #EndSARS Protests, I Ied other Principal Officers and House Members in condemning the attacks on peaceful protesters by unidentified hoodlums in Benin City. Marching words with action, I suspended plenary in honour of those who lost their lives and properties during the unfortunate attacks.

“Furthermore, I led other Members of the House to an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of damage caused by hoodlums following the attack on peaceful protesters, and scenes of looting, and vandalization of the Edo State Central Medical Store Warehouse. The House also came out strongly to condemn the criminally inciting voice note circulated on the social media calling for burning of public institutions in the state.”

Also speaking on achievements, he said that he has ensured that bills relating to education were given speedy passage, saying that the Bill for a Law to establish the Edo State College of Education attests to this fact.
He said: “As an Assembly, we will ensure that the proposed establishment of College of Education with campuses in the three senatorial districts of the state by Governor Godwin Obaseki becomes a reality.”

Continuing, he recalled that during the maiden edition of the SEPLAT Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) in Benin city, where he was the Special Guest, that he reiterated that “teachers should be the most appreciated persons in the society, as they are the first sets of mentors that children need.”

“I have not forgotten my words. The House will ensure that teachers are well equipped, trained, and motivated to carry out their assignments,” he said.

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Other achievements he said include name change of Edo University, Iyamho to Edo State University, Uzairue and passage of a Bill for a Law to establish a corporate body to be known as the Edo State Signage and Advertisement Agency to stop indiscriminate usage of bill boards and others.

Meanwhile, he promised that the House will partner with the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), Edo State chapter, in championing the elimination of violence against women and children.

Speaking further, he said that recently he flagged off the “One Youth, One Legislator” programme, targeted at mentoring youths for Sustainable National Development, adding that “it is aimed at creating opportunities for the youths to achieve their potentials.”

Also, he said that in order to enhance efficiency, creativity and productivity among the workforce of the House Service Commission, he graciously established the Directorates of Information, Audit, Budget and Planning, Office of the Clerk, Protocol and Travels, Office of the Deputy Speaker, and Training and Manpower Development.