The Proprietor, Job’s Orphanage, and the General Overseer, Divine Faith Evangelical Mission International, located at 8, Charles Street, all in Agbor, Delta State, Prophet Joseph Igbodo in an interview with Ika Weekly reporter on Monday, April 21, 2019 charged the governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, HRM. Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom; Hon. Victor Nwokolo, Hon. Festus Okoh and Hon. Victor Okoh not to allow Uromi Junction which he described as the face and beauty of Agbor to fade away but rather, do their best in assisting the Federal Government in constructing the Ottah/Igbanke Road.
Speaking further, Prophet Igbodo, who is also the Proprietor, St. Stephen’s Trust Widows Home, Agbor passionately appealed to the state governor, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom and other political office holders to endeavour to re-habilitate and restore Uromi/Igbanke Road rather than waiting for the Federal Government which according to him, should ensure the maintenance and reconstruction of the road.
According to him, “I am serious about the road because of its significance to Agbor metropolis, due to the fact that anybody coming from South, West, North and East must first, arrive at Uromi Junction before going to their respective directions.
“Today, the road is a total deviation from what it used to be as it is now devoid of its economic features which has now forced many residents of the area to abandon their homes and shops where they were supposed to earn their living. Vehicles that before now, ply the road to Onitsha, Warri, Port-Harcourt and other places in the East from the Northern parts no more ply the road.
“Worst of it all is that the best school we have in Ika land which the State government spent a lot of funds to build; has no entrance as it has been ravaged by gully erosion.”
Speaking further, he said, “I so much commend President Muhammadu Buhari because he has done a lot for Nigeria. In fact, he has performed more than many of the Nigerian ex-presidents who spent two tenures in offices. Our amiable governor, Agbor kingdom and her political leaders should not just fold their hands and depend on the federal government; hence, if we should rely on Buhari to come and construct the road for us, Agbor Technical College, which the State government spent billions to build will be inaccessible when rainy season comes.
“The governor has done so much on road construction and I believe that is why people call him ‘the Road Master.’ I wish to also plead that he extends the same gesture to Uromi Junction to save the lives and properties of the residents. I am not happy with the way Uromi Junction is left abandoned by both the federal government and our brothers who own the state and local government. We should understand that Agbor is Delta State and Delta State is Agbor and not Edo State or Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” he said.
In addition, the Edo State born prophet of God called on the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ika South to also do whatever they can to help influence the reconstruction of the road, noting that soon, most parents might refuse their children going to Agbor Technical College due to the bad nature of the road to avoid casualty.
In another development, the man of God frowned at the indignation and contempt accorded the Nigerian Police by most Nigerians. He noted that when the Police arrest any child for crime, most parents try to resist such arrest or even watch their child dragging guns with the Police. Citing the book of Proverbs 15:1, he quoted, “A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.”
Continuing, he appealed to politicians to allow the Police do their job rather than influencing justice and causing acrimony between the Police and the people, particularly the youths, adding that it is absurd to hear a youth of 17years old coming out to contend or exchange words with a Police officer of about 50years that he does not have right to arrest him or search anything at his disposal, else, he will let him know that his father, brother or one of his relatives is this or that.
Most annoying is even telling a police officer in uniform that he or she will lose their job if they misbehave; just because there is inclination in one way or the other with a politician; they make the police officer look stupid and contemptuous.
Speaking further, he said, “I will want the Nigerian government to give an increment to the salaries of the Police and ensure that their allowances are paid. I am so concerned about them because most of them are doing excellent jobs. Where a Police officer will abandon the comfort his family and the comfort of his bed to go to the road every night to ensure that the country is secured and safe but does not receive value for his work is not encouraging.
He expressed dismay over the attitudes of the politicians towards the Police, saying that most annoying is someone who calls himself the Local Government Chairman or one who represents a constituency, who after receiving his monthly salary, plus other ‘kpaje’ that comes to his office everyday through the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), will still have the guts to also siphon and embezzle the little revenue meant for the Police as their security votes.
BY MEMEH SUNNY