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Talk Edo, an offshoot of The Talk Initiative Nigeria, a project/programme founded in 2015, has announced the adoption of the immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, as a political personality of interest in the build-up to the 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

In a release signed by its Spokesperson, Joesph Iyamu Oronsaye Jr on Thursday, September 14, 2023, the Initiative said: “We believe the time has come to act by fully endorsing the aspirant and asking him to run for the upcoming elections in Edo state 2024.”

The Initiative stated: “Our state needs to thrive economically, uplift its people, and become a shining example of progress for Nigeria and the world.”

Created as a movement on all platforms to “air views and pay attention to the voice of the people, using our social media platforms, radio/television stations, and print media to advocate for good governance and development,” the Initiative said it was proud to announce its interest in Agba.

“The Talk Edo Initiative is proud to announce that its platform is now dedicated to creating awareness about a political aspirant who they feel is in line with the goals, vision, and mission, for which the Talk Initiative brand was created in 2015, which is to promote good governance, strong leadership, development at all levels of the state, promote values and our Edo culture,” the release quoted the movement to have said.

The release, which captured the rationale for the movement’s adoption, reads: “Edo State, located in the heart of Nigeria, in the South-South region of the state is a vibrant state with a rich cultural heritage and a history that dates back centuries, and also Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan, with a total population of 1,782,000 as of 2021,

“Benin City used to be the centre of Nigeria’s rubber industry; and, oil production is also a significant industry; it was an important city of the Edo kingdom of Benin, which flourished during the 13th to the 19th century.

“With the above history of Benin Kingdom and Edo state, there has been a loss of direction towards development and good leadership. Edo holds tremendous potential in various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and technology.

“In all this put together, we would agree that Edo state needs people of character, integrity, and someone with the capacity to help drive the Edo we need.

“The Talk EDO platform has (thus) endorsed the person of Prince Clem Agba, CON, a focus-driven man, a personality with integrity, capacity, and competence who had been tested at the state level as commissioner for environment and public utilities.

“Prince Clem Agba provided leadership in the urban renewal and drainage infrastructure drive of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration, which included beautification; greening of the streets, planting trees and ensuring that the state capital had functional street lights.

“He played a vital role in finding solutions to Edo State flood and erosion challenge with a robust stormwater project to tackle the problem of erosion in Benin city. It was a breakthrough that came more than 30 years after the last major stormwater project was done in 1979.

“This significant project was in addition to the clearing of the notorious costain Isonorho dumpsite in just five days; which posed as a problem that had overwhelmed over five governments [both military and civilian] for over two decades.

“Due to his unwavering commitment to service and development of society, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole invited him to join the Edo Rescue Team as a member of the state cabinet in 2009, a team fully charged and prepared to take Edo state to the highest possible height in political governance and development.

“While in office as the minister of budget and national planning, he focused on national planning, early budget submission to the national assembly, and strengthening the department of monitoring and evaluation in the ministry in order to effectively drive the national monitoring and evaluation process.”

The release continued: “The driving force behind this initiative, Talk Edo, is to extend a voice to the voiceless, advocate for good governance, and seek strong and credible leadership in Edo state.

“Talk Edo has a major responsibility to bridge the gap between Edo state and the world. It could be called ‘Edo meets the World’. The major goal is to promote the values of the state, and in Prince Clem Agba, we have seen all qualities that lead our vision and mission for a better Edo state.”

The movement said its objectives were to drive awareness about and conversation around the aspiration of Prince Clem Agba as a notable personality for the position of Edo State governor in 2024; as well as influence and lead key discussions around his achievements as commissioner and minister, among others.