By Francis Ewherido
Rev Francis Ejiroghene Waive, the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives is not your typical Nigerian Politician. In fact when he was contesting the election for his first time to the House of Representatives, I had my doubts because of his quiet mien and the fact that he is a pastor of a church. But the people of the constituency saw in him a man who can provide effective representation to the constituency. They massively voted for him. Of course, church leaders also mobilised and stood solidly behind him. The rest is history, he won the election. It was later my brother Emma told me that he was their student union president at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. I learnt he won student union election against entrenched interests and stiff opposition.
His representation of the constituency in the green chambers has been exceptional so far. It is always delightful watching Waive on the floor of the house. The primary duty of the legislature is law making and performing oversight functions. So far, Rev Waive has thirty-six bills and several motions on the floor of the House of Representatives to his name which have attracted national attention. They include the bill to exempt members of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme like their counterparts in the military, the bill to decriminalize suicide by abolishing the one year jail term for those who attempt suicide, but rather provide psycho-social support for such persons; amendment of the CBN Act to separate the office of Board Chairman from that of the Governor, the anti-kidnapping and hostage-taking Bill.
The bills for the establishment of Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Otu Jeremi and Federal Medical Centre, Ovwian, have just been passed into law by the House of Representatives and are awaiting concurrence from the senate before President Buhari signs them into law. With the synergy between Waive and Sen. Omo-Agege, the Deputy President of the for the benefit of the Urhobo Nation, you can consider these done deals. Waive also ensured the concurrence of the House of Representatives in the passage of the Bill for the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, where work is going on at a fast pace. Waive has to his name the National Infrastructure Development Bill and amendment bills in respect of the following: Bank Employees Act, Films and Video censors Board Act, Legal Practitioners Act and Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act. His contribution to the debate on the Water Resources Bill went viral and aided the House in the final decision of the House.
Waive speaks with candour and leaves you in no doubt on the floor of the House that he is intellectually sound. Watching him, I sometimes forget that he is a first-time legislator in the house. So far he has distinguished himself. I have no doubt that he will do better in his second term. That is partly why I am in full support of his ambition. Another major advantage of returning Waive to the house is that he will be a ranking member. We already have a precedent. Senator Ovie Omo-Agege was returned to the senate and he emerged the Deputy President of the Senate. Delta Central has benefited greatly from the position. Who says a similar thing (getting a principal position) cannot happen if Waive is returned to the House of Representatives. He has the intellectual prowess and carriage to achieve that.
As Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on power, he ensured the reconnection Okolor, Ekrota and Okperhenre, Ujevwu in Udu local government area as well as Agbowaime, Erhuwanrhen, Obi-Ayagha, Otor-Edo, Okobarho palace, JFM Radio and Owhawha in Ughelli South local government area to the national grid. He is making efforts to sort out the power challenges in other communities within the constituency. He also facilitated the supply and installation of transformers in Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Local Government Areas. He has also facilitated the installation of street lights in many communities in the constituency. He facilitated the construction of Solar Mini-grids in Okparabe town as well as in Ekakpamre Health Centre, Ekakpamre. This centre, which is the busiest in Ughelli South LGA now enjoys 24/7 electricity supply. Imode and Agbaghareh Communities in Ughievwien clan and Ofrukama, Orere and other Ewhu Urhie Communities have also benefited from Solar Home System wherein each home gets an independent solar system complete with panels, batteries, inverter, etc. In the educational sector, he has facilitated the construction, renovation and furnishing of class rooms across the constituency.
As a former union president, activism is part of his life. He was part of the group of House of Representative members that advocated for justice for those alleged killed during the EndSARS protests. He also lent his voice on the need to sack non-performing security chiefs, the institution of community policing, and institution of fiscal federalism, the need for moderate government borrowings and reform of the conduct of local government elections.
He has also stood by his constituency in times of crisis. He donated food and other relief materials during the COVID-19 Pandemic. When Uwheru Kingdom were attacked by alleged herdsmen, Waive provided relief materials to the displaced constituents. In my opinion, Rev Waive is the best legislator to have represented Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency since 1999. He deserves to be re-elected in 2023.
Francis Ewherido is a chartered insurance broker and Niger Delta Today columnist
