Special Report: Rep Francis Ottah Agbo (PhD) Takes Development To Enone

Before his foray into politics, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Narcotics Drugs, Rep. Francis Ottah-Agbo built a sterling career in journalism and media management working as media adviser to top government functionaries including the legendry Prof. Dora Akunyili and former Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson. Agbo who represents Ado/Obadigbo/Opkokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State is steadily taking developmental projects back to his people. This is even as he has brought the human touch to representation, just as he has given them a voice in the Green Chamber.

Ottah Agbo in an earlier interview with Frontline News Online explained why he is strongly committed to improving the lot of his people.https://frontlinenews.com.ng/why-i-donated-my-entire-salary-to-widows-orphans-rep-ottah-agbo/

Ottah Agbo has indeed be walking the talk with different projects and programmes being carried out. https://frontlinenews.com.ng/silent-revolution-in-enone-as-dr-ottah-agbo-moves-to-deliver-on-more-critical-projects/

Brief Scorecard

Wild jubilation as Ado Legacy Bridge is commissioned
…Why I had to use personal resources to fund project- Rep Ottah Agbo
… Restates commitment to starting and completing a project in every district in his Federal Constituency
…We thought his promise was a political statement, say Rijo people
… He is our messiah say Ekile and Ezza Elders& women
Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom has commissioned the Legacy Bridge at Rijo community in Ado Local Government of Benue State.
The bridge was commissioned at a colourful ceremony which was attended by many important dignitaries from the state as well as thousands of excited members of Rijo and surroinding communities who rolled out drums to mark the occasion.
The Governor who was represented by the state commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Chief Ekpe Ogbu, expressed delight at the project, saying it will complement the efforts of the government towards developing the rural communities in the State.
He said the completion of the Legacy Bridge by Dr. Ottah Agbo has added to the many success stories of the PDP in the area as it was under a PDP administration that light was brought to the area while many indigenes of the area have been appointed into key positions in government.
Gov. Ortom said the Legacy Bridge has shown that the PDP is a party that has the people at heart and urged the people to continue to support the party.
He urged the Honourable Member not to relent in his efforts of bringing smiles to the people, and promised to collaborate with the Federal Parliamentarian!
Dr. Ottah Agbo, popularly known as the Ozigizaga, in his remarks, explained that he was moved to embark on the project when he saw the hardship the people were going through to cross to other communities during raining seasons.
He said with the commisioning of the bridge, a major problem suffered by the community has been solved as it would link Rijo with Ekile, mbalakwu, Idele and other communities in Oju LGA, and ease transportation as well as boost agricultural and commercial activities in the area. The Feed Back Lawmaker also said with the bridge those hitherto cut off from the popular Idokpo Market would now access it with ease.
The Talk-Na-Do Lawmaker explained that he had to use his personal resources to build the bridge because at the time he came in 2019, the budget for the year had been passed and this left him with nothing to work with.
He said, “So I had to start the bridge outside the budget and using my personal resources in order that work could commence and for it to be completed in good time.”
Dr. Ottah Agbo reiterated his commitment to do a project in the old 11 Districts of his Constituency, saying by this time next year, he would invite dignitaries to commission electricity projects in Ichama, Ekile, Izzi, Ezza, and many more.
Agbo who is the Spokesman of the Minority Caucus expressed hope that the cutting of the tap by the governor through a representative, was meant to actuate the Governor to tar the entire stretch of the road from Rijo to Ekile. While stressing that he had graded and laterited the road before, there was need for the government to tar the road to compensate both Ekile and Utonkon for remaining law- abiding!
While calling on those who are yet to enjoy projects from his stable to be patient, Dr. Ottah Agbo said he would soon start commissioning of projects in Ogbadibo and Okpokwu, the moment “we are done with the ongoing work in those areas.”
PDP chairman in Benue State, Sir John Ngbede on his part, thanked the Honourable Member for initiating and completing the bridge. He said the PDP is proud of Dr. Ottah Agbo and is encourgaging him to do more for the people.
He called on the people to take good care of the bridge as it has now become theirs.
The Honourable Member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Hon. Samuel Godday in his remarks, said he appreciates what Dr. Ottah Agbo whom he described as his brother and friend has done.
He said Ottah Agbo has not only done well but has challenged other Lawmakers to go to their communities and do projects that will impact more on the lives of their people.
Former broad chairman of NTA, Hon. Patrick Ogbu said he is well pleased with the achievements of Dr. Ottah Agbo.
He said, “To whom much is given, much is expected. This is our son in whom we are well pleased. This is not the first time he is doing such a thing. This is a man who has donated his salary at the National Assembly to widows, orphans and the vulnerable. I’m not surprised he did this legacy bridge.
Assistant Secretary of the PDP in Benue State, Mrs Rose Ameh in her remarks, commended the Honourable Member for the initiative saying it will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the people of the area .
She urged the people to continue to support the Honourable Member saying he has shown commitment towards giving back to the people.
PDP Chieftain, Hon. Christian Adaba Abah, popularly known as Mad Lion, urged other legislators to take a cue from what Dr. Ottah Agbo is doing by embarking on projects that will help the people.
He said the Legacy bridge is evidence that the PDP is the party of the people and urged the the people to continue to support the party.
Members of the community who spoke to newsmen were pleasantly surprised at the timely completion of the project.
Many of them said when the Honourable Member made the promise to build the bridge, they thought it was a mere political statement and did not take it seriously.
Leader of the Rijo community, Chief Ebah Mathew said this is because they have seen many politicians who have promised them so many things but did not follow up on their promises.
“This is the first time we are seeing a Member who promised us and came back to fulfill his promise and for this we remain eternally grateful,” he said.
Clan head of Rijo , Chief Kenneth Ekema on his part said he thought the whole thing was a joke until he started seeing serious work going on at the site.
“We have not seen this type of thing before and we pray God to continue to bless him for remembering his promise to the people,” he stated .
Ekile and Ezza elders at the commissioning described Ottah as their messiah !

Operation Light Up Enone
…Jubilation Galore As Ijigban, Ulayi-Okpozi Now Enjoy Electricity For The First Time In History
…As Dr. Ottah Agbo Commissions Rural Electrification In Ijigban & Ulayi-Okpozi Communities…Communities Now To Celebrate Xmas Under Light
There was thunderous jubilation in Ulayi-Okpozi and Ijigban communities today, as the people roll out drums to celebrate the birth of electrification.

The projects were completed and commissioned by the Honourable Member representing Ado, Ogbadibo, Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo with pomp.
Since creation, these communities and in deed the entire Ari Zone, comprising Ulayi, Ekile and Ijigban wards have been in darkness until today, when the light was commissioned.
Having completed the projects in Ulayi and Ijigban, the rural electrification of Ekile Ward will be completed. He said he has captured the electrification of Ekile, Izzi, Ezza and more communities in the 2021 Budget!
The rural electrification projects were initiated by the former Senate President, Dr. David Mark, many years ago, when he was in the saddle.
The money appropriated for the project has since been applied and exhausted according to specifications, leaving the work uncompleted!
Aside Ari Zone, the Honourable Member has commenced the electrification of Royongo Ward in Utonkon District and Ichama District. He has also installed solar street light across Enone to lit up the land ahead of the yuletide!

Dr. Ottah Agbo revamps abandoned Orokam Water Project
…Promises to revive the Orokam Central Borehole
…Says ”I’ve no enemy to fight, my enemies are poverty, disease, ignorance, and underdevelopment and that is why I am tackling the challenge of social amenities in Orokam…
The Honourable Member representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo, has delivered on his promise to revamp the abandoned solar-powered borehole at Court Oko, Orokam, in Ogbadibo Local Government of Benue State, which provided water for the community but has been out of order for the past three years.
The borehole packed up in 2018 and was left to rot while the people were compelled to look for water from unhygienic sources.
Dr. Ottah Agbo, also known as the Ozigizaga, in one of his visits to the district during the 2019 elections, observed the stress people were going through to source for drinking water and promised to do something about it.
He was informed that the district had few facilities meant to provide water to the people but that some of them had gone bad over time.
The Honourable Member, known as the Cicero of Enone, then pledged to revive the facility at Court Oko and mobilised to commence for work on it afterwards.
The project was completed late last year and the Honourable Member was at the Court Oko, Orokam, on January 15, site of the facility to commision the project and present it to the people.
The Lawmaker, who is the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, while commissioning the project last Friday, said he took it upon himself to resuscitate the abandoned borehole when he saw the difference it would make on the lives of the people.
Dr. Ottah Agbo, who is also the Spokesman of the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, said having given the people his words, he didn’t sleep until the borehole was completely refurbished and upgraded.
The parliamentarian explained that he doesn’t make a promise that he cannot fulfil, saying that was why he remained agitated until he delivered on his promise to his people .
Dr. Ottah Agbo said now that he has commissioned the project, he would raise a team to look at the other bigger borehole at Orokam which has also packed up with a view to revamping it.
The Honourable Member said he considers it a privilege to serve. He said he is not tired of entertaining complaints from his constituents, noting that such is one of the beauties of constitutional democracy.
He said: “That people can approach their elected representatives to demand that, they’re provided with basic amenities is one of the beauties of democracy and I’m happy because it is when the people are happy that I’m happy.”
The Honourable Member also known as the Cicero and the Moving Train of Enone, said he is happy that people are beginning to appreciate the fact that he keeps to his promises saying that is why the Talk-Na-Do sobriquet given to him by his constituents is quite instructive and critical!
“The problem I had initially is the pessimism that associates with politiciand anytime they make promises; the people would say it is a political statement but gradually, as I began to fulfil my promises, I succeeded in changing the negative narrative and today, I am happy to report that the name, TalkNaDo has come to stay. When I promised Operation Light Up Enone , they thought I was day dreaming. Today, Ijigban and Ulayi Districts have light. Ekile, Royongo Wards and environs like Izzi and Ezza communities in Ado LGA will enjoy electricity next year. In Okpokwu LGA, Ichama District light is at the verge of completion. When I promised to deliver on Ichama power project, for example, they had thought I was playing politics, I put N30 million into the Ichama Rural Electrification in 2020 budget and thereafter I appropriated N45 million to complete Ichama and (Ezza Community) light project in Igumale District in 2021, and many more kept promises, the people are now beginning to see that I am a different politician, a promise keeper. I say something I do it, that is why I am Talk NaDo. I am a politician of conviction and my mission in politics is to change negative narratives.”
Dr. Ottah Agbo said he is only fulfilling the promise he made to the people and not playing politics as it is not yet time for another campaign.
“It is time to work for the people irrespective of their party affiliations. For me, campaign stopped the moment I won election as I am a representative of all the people in my constituency,” he said.
The Lawmaker pledged that every district in Enone will have a major project from him, saying this is not because he has so much money, but because he wants to leave a mark in responsive leadership.
“I’m not competing with anybody but leaving up to my promise.We are in politics to serve, if we support ourselves, we will make more and more progress, we should unite and work together. What matters is the development of our land and not politics.”
Dr. Ottah Agbo said he will work on the road from Ukwo to Itabono Owukpa and promised to construct a block of classrooms and rehabilitate a road in Otukpa District, all in Ogbadibo LGA, this year.
Chairman of the PDP in Ogbadibo Local Government, Hon. Vincent Amuche in his remarks, appreciated the efforts of the Lawmaker which has again, brought water to the district.
He said this is proof that the Lawmaker keeps to promise and prayed God to reward him for his good deeds.
Clan head of Oko, Chief David Abah Onoja, in his remarks, said the people have nothing to offer to the Lawmaker in return other than to say thank you.
He appealed to the Honourable Member to help the youth with jobs.
Mr. Anthony Abbah who spoke on behalf of the Orokam Water and Electricity Committee, said Dr. Ottah Agbo is the first person among the many people the committee approached for assistance that has responded.
He said this is quite commendable saying it shows the Lawmaker is a leader for all and not for those in a particular party.

Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo Receives Financial Support

Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, received financial support of N1million from the Honourable Member representing Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo.
Hon. Ottah Agbo presented the cheque of N1 million to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Innocent Ujah (mni) at a brief ceremony in Abuja yesterday.A statement signed by the Media Adviser to the Honourable Member, Mr. Andrew Agbese, noted that the support is in fulfilment of a promise the parliamentarian made to support the university to commence academic activities and function fully as a citadel of learning.
Dr. Ottah Agbo said he’s happy seeing a senior member of his constituency appointed as Vice Chancellor of a pioneer university that holds a lot of promise for his constituents and the nation in general. He said given Prof. Ujah’s track record of academic and administrative excellence, his appointment as VC is a crowning glory akin to that of a civil servant becoming a Permanent Secretary or a soldier, becoming a General.