Former Councillor Uwagboe Advocates Infrastructure, Agricultural Development, Job Creation, Accountability
Hon. Ambassador Oghomwenotiti Uwagboe Best, a former councillor representing Ugboko Ward 05 in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, has identified reliable electricity, good roads, agricultural development, industrialisation, employment generation and accountable leadership as critical factors for improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
Uwagboe Best, who also served as Chief Whip of the Orhionmwon Local Government Legislative Arm, said his interest in politics was inspired by his biological father, who had been actively involved in grassroots politics for decades, as well as his personal desire to provide purposeful leadership and good governance to his constituents.
Reflecting on the individuals who shaped his political philosophy, he cited his late uncle, Dr. Egharevba, a former commissioner with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as one of his major influences.
According to him, the late Egharevba was a respected political leader whose contributions to development, grassroots mobilisation and empowerment continued to resonate across the state.
He also identified his late uncle, Hon. Scott Osagiede, a former councillor and party chairman in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, as another important influence on his leadership approach.
Uwagboe Best described Osagiede as an accomplished grassroots politician who played a significant role in mobilising support for his party, including leading the local government area to victory in two presidential elections.
Grassroots Engagement and Community Development
Speaking about his experience in public office, Uwagboe Best said his administration's approach to governance was built around identifying the actual needs of the people and communicating them to relevant authorities for action.
He explained that shortly after his inauguration as councillor representing Ugboko Ward 05 in Orhionmwon South II Constituency, he embarked on courtesy visits to the traditional and community leaders of the 11 communities within his ward.
The visits, he said, covered communities with traditional rulers known as Enogies, as well as those led by Odionweres, the eldest persons recognised as community leaders.
According to him, the engagements provided an opportunity to identify the communities' most pressing needs, including markets, potable water, schools, roads and other essential social amenities.
He said he documented the demands, produced written copies for the community leaders to review and endorse, and subsequently forwarded the detailed requests to political party leaders and elected public officials, including the local government chairman, the state governor and the member representing Orhionmwon South II Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Uwagboe Best, who served as Chief Whip of the legislative arm, said the process helped place community needs on the development agenda and contributed to the inclusion of projects in budgets and the passage of relevant legislative measures.
He expressed satisfaction that many of the identified needs had since been addressed, while some projects were still being completed by the current local government administration.
Among the projects he highlighted were the construction of a new three-classroom block and the fencing of Ofumwengbe Primary School in Ugboko-Niro, as well as the renovation of Adanako Primary School in Ugo.
He also cited the provision of boreholes and generators in Ugbighele, Ikpeba Camp, Iguododo and Idumwenke communities.
According to him, some of the projects were executed through the intervention of the member representing Orhionmwon South II Constituency, Hon. Bright Aitenguoba Iyamu.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the former Orhionmwon Local Government Chairman, Hon. Deacon Newman Oghomwen Ugiagbe, whose administration, he said, undertook projects involving markets and schools.
Uwagboe Best also pointed to interventions by the Edo State Government, including the renovation of Ugo Town Market, provision of a parking lot and fencing, grading of community earth roads, roadside clearing and the installation of streetlights around Ofumwengbe Primary School in Ugboko-Niro.
Beyond infrastructure, he said his administration supported policies aimed at strengthening local security groups and resolving boundary disputes peacefully among communities.
Reflecting on his time in office, he expressed confidence that the interventions had contributed to improving the living conditions of residents compared with what he met upon assuming office.
Electricity, Roads and Agriculture as Drivers of Economic Growth
On the development challenges facing Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Uwagboe Best identified the restoration of reliable electricity and the provision of good road networks as essential to economic growth and the reduction of rural-urban migration.
He argued that access to electricity and functional roads would encourage businesses to flourish, improve agricultural productivity and create opportunities for employment.
According to him, farmers require accessible roads to transport seeds, farm inputs and harvested produce between farming communities and markets.
He advocated government support for farmers through soft loans, grants, improved seeds, agricultural equipment and tractors to encourage the transition from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial agriculture.
He maintained that improved agricultural production would stimulate the establishment of processing industries, expand market activities, increase employment opportunities and strengthen internally generated revenue.
Uwagboe Best also linked good road infrastructure to improved security, explaining that accessible communities would be easier to reach and serve.
He said the combined impact of commercial agriculture, industrial development and expanding business activities would help reduce unemployment, underemployment, dependency and insecurity.
Advocates Support for Small Businesses
Uwagboe Best called for deliberate policies to support small businesses, describing them as important drivers of employment and economic development.
He recommended lower tax burdens where appropriate, access to affordable loans, grants, business development seminars, vocational training and public sensitisation programmes.
He also stressed the need to create an enabling environment in which entrepreneurs could establish, sustain and expand their businesses.
According to him, such measures would encourage more people to become economically independent while reducing the pressure on government to provide employment for everyone.
He maintained that supporting small businesses would not only create jobs but also contribute to the growth of local economies and improve household incomes.
Calls for People-Centred Representation and Accountability
On how elected representatives could identify and address the needs of their constituents, Uwagboe Best said effective representation begins with direct engagement with the people.
He argued that representatives must regularly visit their constituencies, listen to residents and assess the conditions of their communities rather than rely solely on assumptions about what the people need.
According to him, development priorities vary from one constituency to another, making direct consultation essential to effective governance.
He noted that issues such as deteriorating roads, inadequate educational facilities and unreliable electricity were visible indicators of communities' needs and should guide government interventions.
He maintained that when public officials respond to the actual needs of the people, the impact of governance becomes evident through tangible improvements in living conditions.
Uwagboe Best also expressed concern about what he described as weak accountability among political officeholders in Nigeria.
He argued that many representatives had become disconnected from the people they were elected to serve, often deciding which projects to execute without adequately consulting their constituents.
He said this approach could lead to the implementation of projects that reflect the preferences of political officeholders rather than the priorities of the communities.
He called for stronger enforcement of existing laws and greater accountability among public officials, stressing that those found guilty of misconduct should face the consequences prescribed by law.
According to him, accountability must begin at the highest levels of leadership and extend to every level of government.
He expressed the belief that when political leaders demonstrate transparency, responsibility and commitment to their promises, they would set a standard for others to follow.
Outlines Priorities for National Development
Speaking on his broader vision for Nigeria, Uwagboe Best listed reliable electricity, quality education, good roads, improved security, economic stability, employment generation and industrialisation among his immediate priorities.
He called for a functional education system supported by modern facilities, improved school infrastructure, scholarships, grants and accessible financial assistance for students and entrepreneurs.
He also advocated the modernisation of agriculture and a deliberate shift from a consumption-driven economy towards one based on production, industrial growth and exports.
According to him, Nigeria must strengthen its productive capacity, increase exports and reduce unnecessary dependence on imported goods to achieve sustainable economic development.
He maintained that a combination of infrastructure development, education, agricultural investment and industrialisation would create opportunities for citizens and position the country for greater prosperity.
Seeks Opportunity to Demonstrate Leadership Capacity
Uwagboe Best said he remained committed to the pursuit of effective leadership and hoped to have the opportunity to serve in a public office where he could translate his ideas and development priorities into measurable results.
He said he believed that a leader's achievements should constitute the most important basis for assessing their performance and legacy.
“My legacy will be to make sure I better every sector of the economy during my time in office,” he said.
He added that his ultimate aspiration was to see Nigeria join the ranks of developed countries through purposeful leadership, improved infrastructure, economic transformation and a governance system that places the welfare of citizens at the centre of public policy.
