Francis Waive And The Signature Of A Superlative Lawmaker

By Annabel Ogheneganre

News of the signing into law of the Establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Ovwian in Udu Local government area of Delta State came to me as a pleasant surprise. I knew Revd FrancisEjiroghene Waive as a hard worker. He learnt so well from his boss, SenatorOvie Omo-Agege. Just like the former Deputy Senate President who brought many institutions to Delta State including a now functional Federal Polytechnic, Nigeria Defence Space School, a Campus of the Nigerian Law School and several other sensitive federal agencies of government in just 8 years, Revd FrancisWaive has proven once again that having a male child is not a product of the length of time you spent on top of a woman.

Many lawmakers have spent several terms in the National Assembly without results. Even with an Ijaw man as President, the Methuselah of the House of Representatives, Nicholas Mutu, who was in the same party as Goodluck Jonathan and has been there since 1999, has no legacy project to show for his long-standing membership of the National Assembly. Senator James Manager who spent 20 years in the Senate has nothing to show for it. In just 8 years, Francis Waive has brought a Federal Medical Centre to Uduand a Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery to Otughievwen, Ughelli South LGA. The FMC Bill has been signed into Law by Mr President, making it an Act of Parliament. What a glorious feat!

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This man is not a medical doctor, yet he has a passion for the welfare of the people. Those who have seen a Federal Medical Centre like the one in Asaba will appreciate the fact that something big has come to Urhoboland through the efforts of one lawmaker who knows the game and is diligent in service delivery. This is a legacy that will outlive him. Take away politics, Waive has done much more than all the House of Representatives members from Delta Central since 1999. This man deserves a promotion to the senate as a reward for hard work. Giving him another term in the House of Representatives is not just enough reward for his exceptional, incredible and excellent performance.

This piece is dedicated to Rt HonRevd Francis Ejiroghene Waive, a man called by God to make a difference, teach the lousy and ineffective lawmakers dotting the political space the rudiments of lawmaking, bring down the glory of God into the political arena, and provoke undeniable changes that even the most virulent critic cannot fault.

This man has refused to stain his garment with the filthy lucre of the spoils of office. He has maintained the dignity of his calling as a High Priest even in the midst of the rot in the system. Those who hate him may continue to call him names, but the God who calls him cherishes him and that is what matters. He has refused to sell materials and donations worth hundreds of millions of naira meant for his constituents. He would rather not have anything than deny his people their due. He has not amassed wealth for himself since assuming office. He lives a modest life, contented with what his office can legitimately yield. While others are selling electricity transformers meant for the people to make money, he brings everything home.

In all honesty, this writer strongly believes that Revd Francis Waive deserves another term in the House of Representatives or he should be promoted to the Senate. Returning him home will be a great disservice to the Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency. APC should rather not be on the ballot if the party fails to give him the ticket. And PDP should stay away from the coming election if they want to field a Dundy, empty-headed, hollow and worthless gangster to replace Waive in 2027. The people, irrespective of party affiliation, must consider the larger interest of Deltans instead of a political party. We shall mobilize massively against any party that fields a ‘’political Ochibe’’ against Waive in 2027. We have had enough of ineffective representation over the years.

Annabel Ogheneganre writes fromAbuja.