OGEDEGBE: THE TIGER OF IGUEBEN

Hon. Josie Ogedegbe the outgoing executive chairman of Igueben Local Government Council of Edo State for short deserves all the kind wards, encomiums and accolades often heaped on him. This well educated and unassuming natural project manager and public administrator while in office embarked on social and infrastructural transformation activities in furtherance of the goals of an educated and civilized society. 

He rose through the dint of hard work, perseverance and purposeful engagement with educated public and accomplished public officer that have served his fatherland in varied capacities to be an outstanding chairman. What he has done for the people of Igueben Local Government is believed to be what no other chairman has done before him.

Born to the family of Ogedegbe in Ebelle, Igueben Local Government Area   of Edo State. He attended St. Anthony’s Primary School, Uromi, Eghosa Grammar School, Benin and Edo College, Benin City for HSC and thereafter proceeded to the prestigious University of Benin where he bagged a Bachelor Degree in Engineering and  Building. He is a registered member, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Corporate Member, Nigerian Institute of Building (MNIOB), Associate Member, Nigeria Society of Engineers (AMNSE) and member, Nigeria Institute of Management.  

Hon. Ogedegbe has an enviable practice of his profession in many establishments and corporate organizations. He was Site Engineer at Landsesca Construction Company Lagos, part time Consultant on PTF Water Projects (Kaduna State), Technical Director, Lansdele Nigeria Limited, General Manager/CEO, BetonBau Nigeria Limited and Contemporary Group respectively. 

In 2018, he answered the call of his people and contested the local government chairmanship position under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) and won and was sworn in as Executive Chairman of Igueben L.G.A. on 5th April 2018. When he assumed office, the local government took a new look in the areas of Water, Health, Education, Roads and many more. 

His philanthropist gesture has been exemplinary. He took care of peoples welfare, became a man who sees other’s problems as his own, awarded scholarship to indigent students of Igueben Local Government who are in higher institutions within and outside the state and pay medical bills etc.

In the first year of his administration, he succeeded in raising the development profile of the local government area by working hard to ensure people’s oriented projects are executed throughout the 10 wards in the local government. 

Some of these are social amenities, provision of 160 Man Security Outfit, bought Security Patrol Vans for Police, the Shopping for School Children/Elderly, building of 180 Open Market Stalls and 10 Lock Up Stalls at Ebelle Market and model Abattoir in ldumogo, Igueben and Ebelle and others, grading of earth roads across the wards, creation of Fishing Village with the construction of 20 Fish Ponds still in progress, Renovation of Schools, support to the widows in the 10 wards of the local government which he said he has been looking for the opportunity to do in his life, Renovation of 1 Council Civic Centre and the Corper's Lodge, which the Council brought over.

In recognition of his selfless service to humanity, he has been variously honoured by various organizations, individuals and corporate bodies across the country which has earned him the sobriquet the TIGER OF IGUEBEN. 

Hon. Josie Ogedegbe is a member of many service organizations such as the Rotary Club of Oregun, District 9110 Nigeria; Honorary Member, Police College Officers Mess, Ikeja; Knights of St. John International (Catholic); Development Partner, Home Grown Feeding Programme Review Meeting (Presidency) to mention but a few. 

He is happily married to Pharm. (Dr.) Mrs. Judith Ogedegbe and they are blessed with five children. 

Now that the three years tenure of the local government council has come to an end, political agitation has risen to a high pitch with different types of politicians lobbying to be council chairmen. This crescendo has gone to a very high pitch especially among the outgoing chairmen whose tenure could to be best described as a tenure of a last three years.

So in the wake political actors are seeking their replacement except for those like Ogedegbe of Igueben who came saw and performed.

Apart from being a solid example to a democratic process, most of them could not initiate a programme or policy that truly addressed and resolved any social human crises at the grassroots. And none of them except for the likes of Ogedegbe could build a name that could outlive them.