By Monday Oise
...appeals for state, LGA’s support
Uselu N’Ahor village in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State is just about 15 minutes drive from Ramat Park to the Benin bypass, depending on the traffic situation.
It sits on large expanse of land and has boundaries with Idokpa village on the Benin-Auchi Express Road, Eyean village before the Ahor village also on the bypass, Uhegie village, Ayen village, Uzalla and Evbuokhuenbo villages.
Uselu N’hor is one of the strategically located suburbs of the Edo State capital – Benin City
The people of Uselu N’A hor village, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State, have amid scarce resources embarked on aggressive self-help developmental drive to positively upturn their narrative.
A drive is fast setting them apart from their contemporaries for all the positive stories in Benin Kingdom.
“It is an uncompromising resolve for us to positively change the face of our locality not only from rural to urban; but also with the enabling environment created for all residents,” the Ohen of Uselu N’Ahor, Igbinedion Uwoghiren, and Mike Enotionmwan, the Okaighele of the village, asserted in an interview with our reporter, recently.
The Okaighele, Mike Enotionmwan appreciated the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, for his stance on opening up the area for the purposes of development, and His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, for ensuring that there is absolute peace through the resolution of conflicts in the villages not only in Edo South but also in the state in general.
This proximity to the Capital City is one of the comparative advantages the people have explored, in their push for what Enotionmwan termed: ‘uncommon development and growth.’
He narrates, “Towards making this resolve manifest, firstly; the youth groups were organised to become a formidable force against anything crime and criminality, insecurity in its entirety.
With the full support of the elders, it was easy to galvanize all residents in the locality to be peaceful and law abiding; with unwavering loyalty to the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II, the King in Benin Kingdom.
“Also, to the dictates of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in the State. In 2018, when we had some internal disagreement, the Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II, admonished us to go back home and work in one accord for the development and growth of Uselu N’Ahor village and by extension, Benin Kingdom.
“It was on this foundation, we against all odds have resolutely worked for the transformation of Uselu N’Ahor and the people, without unnecessary rancour.”
Enotionmwan enumerates, “In search of the required funding, we consequently resorted to self help, and now there is a functional bore-hole supplying the people water, the entire village have been electrified with the repairs of the 500KVA transformer, which was bad.
“Every year, the village roads are graded to make them motorable without waiting for the government or any other sponsor. This is as the natives, particularly the youths and women, are financially supported for various entrepreneurial ventures, to keep everyone engaged.
“Following the pervading enabling environment in the locality, as magnet attracts iron to itself, so Uselu N’Ahor attracts people of all tribes not only to reside but invest.
“The Kara Market at the by-pass; a beehive of activities daily, is an example; a business nest, which boasts of investment running into millions of naira. These apart, new business establishments are fast springing up in the locality.”
However, the people lament the burden is heavy on their shoulders and appeal for the quick attention and support of government at all levels, especially from the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.
More social infrastructure is needed in Uselu N’Ahor; health centre, public school, and tarring of the community roads for ease of movement and many more, they appeal.
Culled from THE NIGERIAN OBSERVER.