Kingsley Ohens reporting
As Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea approaches his first anniversary in office, Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene, Special Adviser on Political Matters to the senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, has highlighted the senator’s interventions in economic empowerment, constituency engagement, infrastructure advocacy and grassroots development.
Speaking during an interview with Central News, Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene said it would be premature to judge Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea solely on constituent projects, noting that the senator emerged from a by-election and had only a relatively short period within which to participate meaningfully in the federal budgetary process.
According to him, the prolonged process leading to the by-election meant that Edo Central had no elected senator participating in the preparation and passage of the 2025 Appropriation Act.
He explained that despite these limitations, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea had made economic empowerment a priority, particularly through direct support for vulnerable traders and other grassroots groups.
“Of recent, we empowered almost 500 market women and petty traders across Edo Central,” he said, explaining that each beneficiary received N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only) to strengthen or expand their businesses.
Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene said the initiative was designed to reach ordinary traders whose businesses operate on very small capital, stressing that for many petty traders, N5,000 or N8,000 may represent their entire trading capital.
He added that the selection process was deliberately structured to minimise political considerations, with market unions and other recognised associations involved in identifying beneficiaries.
According to him, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea’s engagement extends beyond market women to professional and community groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Medical Association, artisans, timber dealers, water dealers and other organised groups.
He said the senator had also commenced a town-hall engagement with stakeholders, describing it as an important mechanism for accountability and direct communication between elected representatives and constituents.
“The town hall meeting was the first of its kind, and it is expected to be held almost every quarter,” he said.
On how Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea should be assessed, Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene argued that the senator should be judged within the context of the time he has spent in office and compared with what previous senators achieved during similar periods.
He maintained that Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea had made significant progress within the limited period available to him and deserved the opportunity to complete his tenure before a comprehensive assessment of his performance.
One of the issues Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene identified as particularly important to Edo Central is erosion and other ecological challenges affecting communities across the senatorial district.
He disclosed that Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea had initiated legislative efforts aimed at improving access to ecological funds to address erosion and related environmental challenges.
“Erosion has been a very big problem for our people,” he said, adding that Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea was following up on the matter within the National Assembly.
He also pointed to the senator’s advocacy on deteriorating roads within the district, including the Ugboha–Ubiaja axis and other major routes, while acknowledging that large-scale road construction requires substantial federal budgetary intervention.
Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene also commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for ongoing road interventions across the state and efforts to attract federal attention to major road projects, including sections of the Benin–Agbor road and routes around Ekpoma and Irrua.
He said Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea was seeking to ensure that Edo Central benefited from such development initiatives.
Reflecting on Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea’s previous public service record, Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene said the senator was not new to grassroots development.
He recalled Ikpea’s involvement in the administration of former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, particularly in the implementation of grassroots infrastructure and security initiatives.
According to him, some security posts constructed during Ikpea’s tenure as a local government chairman along the Ubiaja–Ewohimi axis are still being utilised by security agencies.
He further stated that Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea was recognised during the Oshiomhole administration as one of the best-performing local government chairmen and received written commendation for his performance.
“These are verifiable facts,” he said.
On his role as Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene described Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea as receptive to counsel and corrections, saying their engagements largely centre on finding practical solutions that advance the interests of the people.
He described Ikpea as a committed member of the All Progressives Congress who believes in grassroots party development and supports the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Edo State Government.
He, however, stressed that the senator’s primary consideration remained the interests of the people he represents.
Speaking on youth participation in governance, Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene advocated meaningful youth inclusion while also urging young people who aspire to public office to develop the experience, maturity and competence required to effectively discharge their responsibilities.
He commended the Okpebholo administration for what he described as its efforts to involve young people in governance, citing the appointment of young people as commissioners and heads of government agencies.
He also called for greater youth participation at the local government level, particularly among local government chairmen and councillors.
However, he cautioned young people already occupying public positions to understand that their conduct could influence opportunities available to the next generation.
“If you are a youth and you are appointed into a position and you misbehave, you are blocking the chance of other youths,” he said.
Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene urged young people in public office to take their responsibilities seriously and demonstrate competence, integrity and commitment.
As Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea approaches his first year in the Senate, Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene expressed confidence that the senator’s legislative and constituency interventions would become more visible as he gains greater opportunity to participate in the federal budgetary process.
He said the senator had already established a foundation through empowerment programmes, stakeholder engagement, legislative advocacy and grassroots development, while noting that more interventions were expected in subsequent budget cycles.
Ambassador ESV Anthony Okonigene also identified himself as a Chartered Estate Surveyors and Valuers
and Principal Partner of Tony Okonigene & Co., as well as Secretary-General of the Late Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu Foundation, which he said was established to preserve the legacy of the late Aikhomu and promote access to quality medical care for people in need.
He maintained that Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea’s record should ultimately be judged by the measurable impact of his legislative activities, empowerment initiatives and development interventions on the people of Edo Central.
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