.………Engr. Poweide who was born into the family of six is passionate about rural development said “I am always this kind of person that, what I’m afraid of , I don’t runaway from it, I go down straight try to resolve it until it’s solved , challenges empower me, challenges are just another way for me to improve , I don’t runaway from responsibilities , meet my responsibilities until it’s resolved., that has been the driving force that pushed me to where I am in life”
-By Harrison Akamule:
In a world that is going digital every passing minute, analogue approaches cannot proffer solutions to digital challenges that constantly confront man.
That accounts for the reason why youthful leadership and representation across the three tiers of governance should be given the needed support in Nigeria if we must catch up with the global trend.
It is in that light that Engr. Poweide Arepade Foburuku, an Electrical/Electronic guru has declared his intention to represent the Bomadi Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly 2023.
As a computer hardware and software engineer, he burns with the passion to revolutionalize legislative representation from analogue to the digital space where the constituents have a say in government as against the current tide where the electorates have no voice after elections.
A grassroots mobilizer and leader, the leadership abilities of Engr. Poweide Foburuku has been tested and proven, dating back to his primary school days as Excellent pupil in Onurun Primary School, Ogriagbene down to his secondary school as a Library Prefect, Government Mixed Model College, Bomadi. Bomadi LGA, Delta state, and his days in Petroleum Training Institute (PTI ) Effurun – Warri, Delta State where he was one time the Izon -Ebe president, was also the social director and Provost of his department Electrical / Electronic in the school.
Having utilized these leadership avenues, Engr. Poweide Arepade Foburuku has taught it necessary to explore the political space under the aegis of the Labour Party to seek representation into the Delta State House of Assembly with a bid to altering the current political narrative of exclusion to inclusion of the masses in the electioneering and governance process. According to him, “My drive have always being how do we change the lives of our people, how do we improve the life of the people? If there was going to be any effective positive change, it was going to be done by youths”.
Engr. Poweide therefore , without hesitation, beckons on the well meaning people of Bomadi L.G.A to give him a chance to bring to the fore his wealth of experience as a grassroots leader and influencer that will better the people of the local government.
To him, the need for youthful representation is paramount as the current generation of youths seems to be missing out in the nation’s scheme of events. It is therefore only pertinent that youths be given a place in governance to fill in the missing link.
Furthermore, the name Poweide connotes joy. Hon. Poweide’s birth brought joy and fulfilment to the family of Mr Foburuku Arepade and portends same for the people of Bomadi State Constituency which he seeks to represent in 2023.
A common phenomenon runs through mediocres who hide under the mask of rural environment to remain unproductive, but Hon. Poweide has weathered the limitations posed by the village environment to explore and appropriate adequately the opportunities in the global community. As an Engineer, he has proven beyond doubt that his mind is programmed for ultimate success. He has established the fact that living in the village does not make one a failure-it is failure mentality that limits one. For Engr. . Poweide, he has conquered the failure mindset and has invested his time productively for himself and for the society.
His ideologies and manifesto promises quality representation he will give the people of Bomadi in the programmes for youths, women, health, vulnerable persons and indeed infrastructural development.
In one of the fora, Mr. Poweide Foburuku said all candidates bearing the party’s flag in the forthcoming general election are driven by a passionate desire to effect positive change in the country. He noted: “From the first to the last, we are being motivated by our presidential flag bearer, Mr. Peter Obi, who is determined to make a real change in Nigeria”, he told newsmen in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Engr. Foburuku expressed joy over the successful primaries, verification and listing of his name as a candidate by INEC in the State. On the low participation of youths in election processes across the country, he expressed his determination to inspire and mobilize youths to come out enmasse and participate fully in the forthcoming general election. According to him, “youths should engage fully in different political positions in the country so as to make a visible change in the nation’s politics. You cannot make a change if you are outside the processes. When you are involved, you would be able to make a change that will enable people to come out of this political quagmire”.
“We need to dwell more on education of our people because we want them to be more educated and focused. If given a chance to represent my constituents at the State Assembly, I will sponsor bills that will be beneficial to the people and such that will attract development to the area. The forthcoming general elections in the country will be treated with much seriousness. We (youths) are against whatever that is wrong with the system of governance. This is our own chance to make corrections in the system of governance and the only way to make such corrections is to partake fully in the process of elections. I intend to reach out to more in the area of education, to enable the people see the qualities in me that will make them have hope in my candidacy. I will teach them on the need of not selling their votes on election days, that things have actually changed and their wise choice of candidate to cast votes must be done in the right place”. Engr. Poweide urged the electorates to vote with their conscience and not vote a candidate for pecuniary gains”.
“Now is the time, wake up, and understand that there is need to get your Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to enable you exercise your franchise by voting who you want come 2023.
“Anything that happens after that will make you know that you caused it and you were part of it. In Bomadi constituency, there are so many things still undone and they need to be done especially in the area of constructing bridges that will enable the people carry out their duties. Those things are our driving force because there are so many things that need to be done there. So I have taken it upon myself to make these changes by trying to see that there is electricity; to educate the youths to be serious with education and make the necessary consultations to better the state of our roads.” I am driven-by-need-for-positive-change. Foburuku said.
Engr. Poweide who was born into the family of six is passionate about rural development said “I am always this kind of person that, what I’m afraid of , I don’t runaway from it, I go down straight try to resolve it until it’s solved , challenges empower me, challenges are just another way for me to improve , I don’t runaway from responsibilities , meet my responsibilities until it’s resolved., that has been the driving force that pushed me to where I am in life”
For the forgone paragraphs, it is crystal clear that the young Engineer needs the attention of his constituents to help him get the chance to make his move to the Delta State House Of Assembly easy. The dexterity of Engr. Poweide to opt for DTHA seat at his age should be commended and encouraged by the good people of Bomadi Constituency in kind or cast.