I come with Competency and Authenticity to my Anioma People and will Dedicate a Portion of my Salary to Health Care Support and the Most vulnerable in my constituency

 

I come with Competency and Authenticity to my Anioma People and will Dedicate a Portion of my Salary to Health Care Support and the Most vulnerable in my constituency

 

-       Delta North Senatorial Aspirant, Kenneth Gbandi

 

Hon Kenneth Gbandi, the Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Media Network and former Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) in Europe is in the race to the senate to represent the Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State. In this interview, so rich in assessment of the Nigerian political clime, Hon Gbandi reveals to PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE), a media personality, his reasons for joining the Nigerian politics, pursuit of the senate to represent his people and series of projects proposed to the Government that never saw the light of the day. He unveils his parental background in Akwukwu-Igbo, headquarters of the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and lets the people into his manifesto for their effective representation as the senator representing the Delta North in 2023 if he voted into office. Excerpts.  

 

Pen Master: Very many Anioma people have now heard this name, Hon Kenneth Gbandi. Still, it is proper that our readers meet you.

 

Gbandi: Thank you very much, Pen Master. Well, I am the last of ten siblings, seven brothers and three sisters, children of Chief E. O. Gbandi, (The Inwagwe Oji Iba of Akwukwu Igbo) and Ezinne Victoria Gbandi (Ada Ogbo, Ezinne of St John), both of Akwukwu Igbo Kingdom in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. My father was an excellent Administrator. He was a prime traditional leader and a political leader too, a core member of the traditional rulers -in- council that helped engineer a string united and progressive Akwukwu Igbo during his time and was for a very long time the secretary of Allor traditional institution, a core traditional heritage of the Anioma people, helping to initiate many reforms that is stilled being enjoyed in the town till date. My mother, another excellent administrator, a teacher, an entrepreneur, an excellent communicator, a community and political leader of her time and a strong protector of the Christian faith till her death at the age of 87. Little wonder she continued to get a post-humus Award both in St. John Anglican Church for her leadership and for the development of the town. It is only natural that I will follow in my parents’ footsteps of selfless service. I have distinguished myself through quality and inclusive representation of Nigerians and Africans in different places and capacity across the globe. Basically, during my leadership at Nigeria Global Professional group, we were not only thinking of how best to bring development back home by joining in hosting virtually all the past presidents including President Obasanjo, President Yar’ Adua, President Jonathan and even President Muhammadu Buhari and other business delegations all in search of homeland development. We were also concerned on how to contribute to the political reengineering of Nigeria by bringing in the international best practices. A typical example was the Diaspora housing project where we were able to secure 2.3 billion US Humanitarian Fund for a hyper market in the housing industry for 660 housing units. Following due process, series of meetings in Nigeria with the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government and other agencies and stakeholders to draw down the project into the country. That project was to deliver 650.000 housing units and create millions of jobs for the youths and SMEs. Sadly, at the end, the project did not fly, because of political intrigue and personal interest. People in government did not simply want it to fly. 

 

Pen Master: (surprised) It is sad to know that the project never flew but why did you particularly enter this senatorial race to represent your Anioma people (Delta Senatorial District)?

 

Gbandi: Delta North have too much brainpower and resources to remain where we are today…

 

Pen Master: …as a leader in the Diaspora that you once were, are there achievements you can further count on as additional precedents?

 

Gbandi: Well, as a follow-up to my earlier enumerations, we also proposed to the establishment of Delta State Investment /Liaison office in Europe at no single cost to the Delta State Government, to help source trade, tourism, and investment for the state. The State Investment /Liaison office will be hosted by a leading Investment giant in Europe, starting with a pilot project in Germany at no cost to the state. The Investment office will be providing regular interaction with captain of Industries, investment agencies and non-governmental organizations on behalf of the state to make Delta State the 1st choice Investment destination and most preferred location to site for new industries in Nigeria. This unfortunately never saw the light of the day. 

 

Pen Master: …were there other similar proposed projects to the Government?

 

Gbandi: Other examples, we drove the facilitation of a 500MW Electrical Plants by means of Hybrid Generators (EPHG), a multiple power plants in strategic locations, as close as possible to existing Grids (National or State) and Sub Stations across Delta State, again at no cost to the Delta State Government. This Hybrid Electricity Generating Technology combines five (5) different Renewable Energy Solutions to generate a continuous, uninterrupted, and completely green energy all year round (24/7/365) on a Build, Own, Operate and Maintain (BOOM) basis, with up to 25 years’ period of maturity of a power purchase Agreement (PPA) at no cost to the Delta State Government. This never saw the light of the day. That was the turning point and final push for me, it was an eye opener to the realization that if sincere and responsible people do not get involved in Nigeria’s politics, we may never experience quality leadership or good governance and my people come first. Straight to point, the high prevalence of corruption in our polity demands for audacity of hope.

 

Pen Master: You seem so pragmatic, organized, experienced and resourceful and determined to give the people initiatives but let me ask you this particular question: Do you think other senatorial representatives of the region have done well? 

 

Gbandi: If you are of the opinion that a robust representation have brought us so far the lowest youth unemployment, in Delta North, If you are of the opinion that a robust representation have brought us best infrastructure in Delta North, If you are of the opinion that a robust representation have brought us best deal from Nigeria considering our huge natural resources, If you are of the opinion that a robust representation have brought out our best arable and rich agricultural productivity, if not then it’s clear that Delta North have too much brainpower and resources to remain where we are today.

 

Pen Master: …but what's the particular thing you now want to change?

 

Gbandi: In the continuation of passionate and selling service to our people and our nation, I have decided to take the service of my Delta North and Nigeria to a higher political pedestal by presenting myself as aspirant for the position of Senate in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing the good people of Delta North under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) political party, one of the leading political parties in Nigeria. A party that is free from domination by a few individuals, a political party that is transparent and accountable to its electorates. An inclusive and diverse party that embraces all and their opinions on critical issues. A party where Humanity is the core value, which cater for Women, Youth, Diaspora, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). My first obligation is a robust and not rubber stamp representation of the people of Delta North and will pursue reform and a rigorously effective oversight on the functions of our government as well as on our institutions of governance. To this end, my first Bill as Senator Gbandi will be to address income inequity and to put a stop at the irresponsible “Jumbo” Senate Salary & Benefits. While awaiting the passage of the Bill into law, I will dedicate a considerable chunk of my Senate Salary to support a sustainable Youth/Graduate Startup program to create wealth for the people of Delta North and Nigerians. I will equally dedicate a considerable portion of my salary towards Health Care Support for the most vulnerable in my constituency, especially the women and the retired senior citizen that have worked and served us for years but unfortunately still waiting for their pension fund or pay peanuts for their hard-earned contributions to pensions funds and some dying for heartbreak and disappointment. 

 

Pen Master: With what agenda and mechanism are you hoping to achieve all of these?

 

Gbandi: From day one as a Senator, I will commence building cross-party alliances to remove big money out of politics and to make our electoral system fit for purpose, such that your character, compassion, and vision especially as young Nigerians determine your journey into politics, and not how deep your pocket is, or how connected you are. The expected massive youth involvement in politics, that will bring about a new set of transformational leaders will remain elusive if Big Money continues to play a central role in our politics. We already started this at the party level, and we will scale it up to national level. As a Senator, Delta North and Delta State will champion a paradigm change in our approach to international development. Dipping into my Diaspora exposure and experiences, we would change the current “beggar” status. We seek no handouts. Rather we are a State with huge reservoirs of resources offering mutual benefits to international partners. We will build Global investment and partnership alliance making towns in Delta North an example of Global twin-city and Global partnership. As a Senator representing Delta North, we will enter a new era of comprehensive development and commitment. Our state and people will experience the rebirth and renewal of our natural resources, tourism, education, agriculture, and healthcare. Our constituency will experience growth in Youth Capacity Building and Business Development in Agriculture & IT. Dipping into my Diaspora connection, I will roll out Green4Life initiative is in collaboration with African-German Information Centre (AGIC) and Green Leben Initiative (GLI) integrated agriculture consortium Germany and Portugal for the establishment Agro-enclaves, called Green Village Green Village in all the 9 local government areas of Delta North.  Each Green Village when fully developed will be at least 1,000 acres big and would be a self-sufficient closed-looped agro-business community that produces High-Value Crops (HVC) through all the economic value chain of agriculture and industry. The Green Village will consist of over 300 smallholder farmers. A total of up to 4,000 direct jobs, 10,000 indirect jobs and 120,000 jobs is expected to be generated within 4 years with associated wealth for the indigenes of Delta North and their families. 

 

Pen Master: I noted that your agenda for the people seem developmentally modern. Nevertheless, what more difference from what the people have seen are expected from your senatorial representation?

 

Gbandi: Our Center for Sustainable Agriculture in Rural and Urban Development (CSARUD) will undertake continuous practical training in modern/precision agriculture for smallholders’ farmers, academics, entrepreneurs, supply chain managers, students, and agriculture enthusiasts. CSARUD will also develop a life-long-learning and mentoring program, like: “Catch Them Young”, Street Vendor to Entrepreneurs, (VTE) to make Delta North food basket of the state.  We will continue with Youth and Capacity Building & Business Development strategy that have already trained over 200 youth in delta state. This will make Delta North a regional IT hub. We will intensify on our ICTechnology and Business Efficiency so that Delta youth have the enabling knowledge and capacity of using IT in streamlining, optimizing, and automating processes across board. We will further key into Professor Mogahlu´s Fish for life Digital skill initiative, Chukwuka Monye´s technology sectors initiative or Dr. Favour Ayodele´s Internet of things initiative, Dr. Davison Global technology initiative and Joyce Nsaka Youth innovative skills acquisition to make Delta North innovative hub of the state and lifting Delta North youth and Nigerians youth out of poverty. In collaboration with The African - German Information Center (AGIC) of Germany, we will implement Skills in Solar and renewable energy designed to train youth who have attained a minimum level of education to acquire and create an energy society that is flexible, friendly, sustainable, and affordable and above all to make a conscious effort for a transfer of solar technology to Delta North and Nigeria. The solar training is designed for the optimum acquisition of solar technology knowledge and skills within a very short time. The model is designed after the award-winning UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development Decade 2012/2013 program. Youth will be equipped at the end with certification as solar technician for streetlamps, solar technician for solar house installation of up to 20 rooms, solar technician for connecting generated solar power to a public power system. To be sure we not only achieve this, but a sustainable economic development and transformation to build a society where everyone is treated with dignity and has an opportunity to attain their God given potentials, deep reform is needed. From day one as a senator, I will build cross-party alliances for deep constitutional reforms, including security sector reforms, resource management reforms, Tax reforms and Diaspora Voting Rights. As Senator representing Delta North, I will bring international best practice in executing Constituency Projects. The process will be all inclusive and designed to the needs of the community, gauged via robust consultations and town hall meetings. I will not only advocate for, but will mirror Meritocracy, Equity, Solidarity, and Innovation (MESI) in the running of my office, especially Constituency Projects. We will find the answer if we don’t have one and I will work tirelessly to accomplish these solutions. 

 

Pen Master: A more important question is how possible is it to beat other contenders?

 

Gbandi: Pen Master, I am more concerned on how to reach the good people of Delta North with the transformational good news via my manifesto to assure them of a robust representation and not a rubber stamp representation if elected. Today, Nigerians in our villages, towns, cities and even those abroad, irrespective of personal comfort and international accomplishments, are seriously worried about Nigeria and the set of current leadership. Political corruption, criminal insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, poverty, youth unemployment, poor infrastructure, increasing regional agitation and insecurity across the country are the order of the day, yet the political class seems unwilling or incapable of solving these problems. APCPDP raised 7 billion Naira just from selling forms and it’s obvious that the God fathers are so rich and powerful and will control both the party any individual in power. We cannot keep doing the same think and expect a different result.  It’s time to try something different and I represent a new political fresh breath, a generational switch, and the best new alternative. I come with no political excess baggage or ‘godfatherism.’ I bring competency, integrity & authenticity.

 

Pen Master: Funnily, due to the failures and other unpleasant experiences, not a few Nigerians hold the belief that politicians jostling for this position are attracted by the juicy office. Is it the same for you?

 

Gbandi: Who will bale them? Mr. Peter Obi recently asked if we are cursed in Nigeria or if we are the curse? My answer at first is neither of them, but if we chose to do same thing over and over again for the past 22 years expecting different results, then maybe, just may be! For over 22 years, the political elites PDP-APC took advantage of our collective goodwill and drove us to the bottom of Global poverty and insecurity index. For the past 22 years the political cartels and their cronies have mortgaged our common future using ethnicity, tribes, and religion as a formula to divide us and to negotiate political favour for their children and relatives for choice jobs in banks and oil companies, appointments to various boards, and contracts while the rest of us scramble for survival. For the past 20 years, the political elites and their cartels, same people in APC-PDP kept changing parties and positions from governors to senators, from party leaders to party candidates and the result has been poverty capital of the world, insecurity, and banditry. So, the question is, are we going to do same thing again in 2023 and expect a different result? God forbid! We are not cursed, and we are not the curse. 

 

Pen Master: (Laughing aloud) so are you the typical Nigerian politician?

 

Gbandi: No, I am not a typical politician. I am a nation Builder. I am quite comfortable in Germany and could chose to remain there and enjoy the good life, but the comfort and wellbeing of my people is stronger than my personal conform. My first bill is to address income inequity to put a stop at the irre

sponsible “Jumbo” Senate Salary and Benefits and while awaiting the passage of the Bill into law. I will be dedicating a considerable chunk of my senate salary to support Youth/Graduate Startup program and Health Care Support for the most vulnerable in my constituency, especially the women and the retired senior citizen.

 

Pen Master: Thank you very much, sir, for speaking to me

 

Gbandi: Thank you too for your time, Pen Master.