Edo 2024:”Give me more work”, Umakhihe urges Edo people as he hints on intention to govern Edo State

From Moshood Olawale Karim
Ahead of the 2024 Edo gubernatorial primary elections slated for February this year, a former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe has urged the people of Edo State to give him the opportunity to govern the State by nominating him as the All Progressive Congress (APC) guber candidate.
Umakhihe was speaking on Thursday in Benin City at a reception dinner organised in his honour on his retirement from the Federal Public Service after 35 years of meritorious service.
The event was organised by his friends and well-wishers as an avenue to appreciate and thank him for his significant contribution to the development of Edo especially at ensuring that the State is self-sufficient in food production.

According to him, the reward for hardwork is more work and if given the opportunity to govern Edo, he will prioritise agriculture to grow the State and improve its economy. He believes that agriculture holds the key to unlocking the State’s economic potential.
He said, I am a retired permanent secretary, my people are saying that I have tried. I have done a lot of work which is some good hardwork. My next question is, I want to work more, please give me more work. And I think, that more work is on a higher pedestal that is, governing the State or doing something greater than that.
Continuing, Umakhihe said: “My priority will be agriculture. I have made a point severally that, the State has a lot of arable land and all we need to do, is to farm all year round. When you do that, you will have a lot of production of our staple crops and even our tree crops and you can use that as a pivot to develop the State and grow the economy.“
He assured the people of good governance if given the opportunity to rule.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, described Umakhihe as an embodiment of wisdom and a versatile professional. He highlighted his role in strengthening international partnerships and commitment in enhancing food safety and agricultural systems aligned with global best practices. Arase also commended Umakhihe’s leadership style, which he said was one of collaboration, with a rare ability to inspire confidence and camaraderie within teams.

“Tonight, as we bid farewell to a distinguished public servant, let us not merely focus on the professional milestones but also acknowledged the person behind the title. Dr. Umakhihe’s journey is one of personal sacrifice, of long hours devoted in service of the nation, and of a commitment that went beyond the call of duty.” Arase said
The event was graced by several eminent personalities and groups, including members of the Otuo Exclusive Club, Forum of Retired Civil Servants, Staff of NIFOR, Forum of Retired Heads of Service, members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria ICAN, and many others