DIVINE MANDATE PROJECT 2019: WHO IS BENSON AGADAGA

PROFILE OF CHIEF. BENSON S. AGADAGA
GUBERNATORIAL ASPIRANT FOR 2019 ELECTIONS IN BAYELSA STATE ON THE PLATFORM OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. Philippians 4:13.

NAME: BENSON SUNDAY AGADAGA

SEX: MALE

DATE OF BIRTH: 12TH JUNE, 1956.

HOME TOWN: OLOGOGHE IN OGBIA KINGDOM OGBIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAYELSA STATE, IN THE IJAW ETHNIC NATIONALITY OF NIGERIA.

MARITAL STATUS: MARRIED WITH CHILDREN

NAME OF SPOUSE: MRS. REGINA APUEGA AGADAGA

FATHER’S NAME: CHIEF SUNDAY EBENEZER AGADAGA

HOME ADDRESS: OLOGOGHE OGBIA

MOTHER’S NAME:
MRS. VIRGINIA ERENIMUGHA AGADAGA

HOME ADDRESS: OTUABULA 1 IN OGBIA KINGDOM, NEMBE BASSAMBIRI IN NEMBE KINGDOM.

RELIGION:
CHRISTIANITY

SCHOOLS ATTENDED DATES

ST. LUKE SCHOOL, OLOGOGHE 1961-1967

ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL, OLOIBIRI 1969-1970

MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL, IMIRIGINGI 1971-1975

RIVERS STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, PORT HARCOURT 1976-1979

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA 1981-1983

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR, CALABAR 1998-2000

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI 2001-2004

QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED DATES

1) WASC – 1975

2) GCE ‘O’ LEVEL -1976

3) NCE CHEMISTRY/BIOLOGY – 1979

4) B.ED (SC. ED) – 1983

5) POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA (MGT)– 2000

6) MBA (HUMAN RESOURCE MGT)– 2004

WORK EXPERIENCE

POSITIONS HELD
PLACE OF WORK
DATE

I) PREVENTIVE OFFICER
Department of Customs & Excise, Port Harcourt
1975-1976

II) MASTER GRADE III
Government Secondary School, Ogbia Town
1980-1981

III) PRINCIPAL
C.S.S, Okoroma
1984-1988

IV) PRINCIPAL
C.S.S, Kolo
1988-1993

V) ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Zonal Post Primary Schools Boards, Ogbia Town.
1994-1995

VI) SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Akpalakpa Grammar School, Ukubie
1995-1996

VII) SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Community Secondary School, Zarama
1996-1998

VIII) PIONEER DIRECTOR
General/Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Information, Culture, Tourism, Youths And Sports, Bayelsa State.
1998-1999

IX) PERMANENT SECRETARY
Bayelsa State Post Primary Schools Board
1999-2000

X) SECRETARY
Bayelsa State Post Primary Schools Board
2000-2003

XI) HON. COMMISSIONER
Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism, Bayelsa State.
2003-2004

XII) EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Universal Basic Education Board, Okolobiri, Bayelsa State.
2006-2007

XIII) SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE
Establishment Affairs
2016-2019

XIV) NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
Ogbia Brotherhood World Wide
2015-Date

HOBBIES:
GARDENING AND READING.

POLITICAL BACKGROUND:
“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God”. Psalm 62:11
My Political life started at Kolo in 1989, when as the Principal of Community Secondary School, Kolo, one Mrs. Faith Opuene introduced me to a political group known as Liberal Movement (LM), founded by Chief Michael Ibru. I was co-ordinating Ogbia with her until we had our first state congress in the then Rivers State on the 17th June, 1989 where Engr. N. Daye became the State Chairman and one Raymond Anyawanta was the Secretary.
When eventually the Federal Government abolished private parties and formed NRC and SDP as political parties, I pitched my tent in NRC and initiated preparations to contest the gubernatorial election in Rivers State. I was to contest with Chief Zebulon Abule, Chief Pere-Ajua, Late Chief F. K. Agara and others. At that initial stage, the name of Ada-George was not known as a contestant.
When I received indications that an Okrika man was destined to rule, I started wondering because no candidate from Okrika was known to be in the race. I decided to withdraw. Chief Abule and Pere-Ajua were causing waves and were at each others throat. Many are living witnesses to the miracle that occurred at that time when finally, Abule took the flag of NRC and Sgt. Awuse succeeded in SDP. Suddenly, there was a wind of change which brushed the two aside, which led to the emergence of Chief Ada George in NRC and Chief Eric Aso in SDP. Remember that Chief Francis Dokpolagha contested the primaries with Ada George but lost out to the surprise of everybody. Ada-George miraculously won and eventually became Governor of Rivers State. Chief Ikuru was NRC Chairman in Rivers State. I knew it was not yet time for me, so I decided to wait patiently for God’s time.
In 1993, I made another attempt again to contest the Chairmanship of Ogbia Local Government Council, but just about two days to the time, General Abacha seized power from Chief Shonekan, the then Head of the interim National Government and declared himself Head of State. All political structures were therefore dissolved including all elected officers. By then, I had already applied for voluntary retirement and had packed to Ogbia Town for full time politics.
In the circumstance, I had to secure re-instatement and was posted to the Zonal Office of the Post Primary Schools Board at Ogbia Town. From there, I was posted out to teach at Community Secondary School, Agudama-Epie before my final posting as a principal to Akpalakpa Grammar School, Ukubie in 1996. Following the creation of Bayelsa out of Rivers State, I got transferred to Community Secondary School Zarama, where I served up to 1998 before my appointment as the Pioneer Director-General of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Tourism, Youths and Sports, by Navy Captain Olubolade. I was later transferred to the Post Primary Schools Board as Permanent Secretary and Head of the Board. Thereafter, when the Board was formally inaugurated, I was made the Secretary. A position I held until my appointment as Honourable Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism which marked the end of my 23 years of public service from my teaching appointment in 1980.
You will agree with me that from the time I made up my mind to contest for Governorship in Old Rivers State in 1990 to date, I have been following up administrative and political developments in the country and learning in the process. I have served as a returning officer in Ogbia, Oporoma and Ekeremor Local Government Areas in previous elections. I worked as a Director-General/Permanent Secretary under the Military Administrations of Navy Captain Olubolade, Colonel Edor Obi and part of the Government of Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha. Similarly, I served as the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism under Chief D.S. P. Alamieyeseigha, Executive Governor of Bayelsa State. I also served as Executive Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board under former President Goodluck Jonathan when he was Governor of Bayelsa State. I am currently in the Restoration Team of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson serving as Special Adviser on Establishment Affair.
The field of politics, public and political administration is therefore a familiar terrain to me. I will galvanize the experience already gathered and my grassroot support to place the State on a fast lane of development.

RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTS
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Prov. 29:2).

Benson Sunday Agadaga is an achiever in life as I always come out with shining colours in all my endeavours. My testimonials in all the offices I served speak volumes of my inherent ability and capability to perform and achieve set goals and objectives. As a principal at C.S.S. Okoroma from 1983 to 1988, my students were always coming up with best results in all Nembe Ibe Schools in Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of the State. The trend was such that for three consecutive years, C.S.S. Okoroma received awards as the best performing school in WAEC examinations in all the Schools in Nembe and Brass.
It is unimaginable that a small school like Okoroma could perform better than famous schools like Nembe National Grammar School, (NNGS) Nembe, Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Bassambiri, Government Secondary School, Twon-Brass, to mention but a few.
This feat was largely attributable to hardwork and administrative competence. For instance, as small as this school was, I saturated it with many qualified teachers which reduced the teacher/student ratio to the minimum for maximum interaction. Moreso, as the principal of the school, I was also teaching even at late nights with the help of electric light, just as I made evening prep compulsory. The same also applied, while I served as Principal at C.S.S Kolo from 1988 to 1993, at GGS Ukubie in 1995 to 1996 and at C.S.S. Zarama from 1996 to 1998. To God be the glory.

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION:
As Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, under Mr. Paul Oriewari as the Honourable Commissioner, I was a signatory to the contract awarded for the establishment of Radio Bayelsa. We interviewed the contractors and finally awarded the contract. I also contributed to the establishment of a monthly magazine – Bayelsa STRIDES – which was cataloguing the activities and achievements of the Government every month.
As the pioneer Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, I worked tirelessly to ensure that the staff of the Ministry still hanging in Port Harcourt after the creation of Bayelsa State, relocated to Yenagoa and got settled for serious business. This I did, by introducing welfare packages to enable them secure accommodation in Yenagoa.
It was at my time as Permanent Secretary that the foundation for a flourishing Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture was laid. Additional cultural dancers were employed to beef up the scanty and skeletal cultural troupe that came down from Rivers State.
On the return march to the Ministry as Honourable Commissioner after five years, I assessed the situation and asked myself the questions. ”why am I here as a Commissioner with no projects to commission”? And ”why am I used as the image maker and number one journalist of the state without any government owned functional media outfit”? At that time the only existing media house in the State-Radio Bayelsa was sick and epileptic. The coverage could not go beyond the radius of Yenagoa. That is to say, beyond Igbogene nobody listened to radio Bayelsa.
There was neither a newspaper nor a state television. However, plans were on ground. I had to swing into action and used the opportunity of budge preparation to put in estimates to kick off the state’s newspaper corporation which had a big building with a lot of obsolete equipment. I approved the name Newaves as the newspaper of Bayelsa State. I also appointed Matthew Miesegha as the first General Manager of the corporation. Approval was also given for the employment of Staff with a take-off grant. At this point the State’s Newspaper had come to stay, and Newaves was having regular weekly production. The Ministry usually issued daily news bulletins to all media houses in the state to facilitate news gathering and dissemination.
To enhance effective information dissemination, my office encouraged publishers and correspondents in the state by giving them grants. I resuscitated and revived Radio Bayelsa by awarding over N302 Million contract which supplied new equipment including new transmitters and UPS. Radio Bayelsa was therefore reaching out to Calabar, Umuahia, Benin and even beyond. Furthermore, I –

i) Supplied for the first time, two outside Broadcast Vans (OBV) to Radio Bayelsa.
Promoted capacity

ii) building by sending staff for further training, workshops and seminars.

GLORYLAND TELEVISION
I awarded a contract of over N731 Million naira for the construction of a 1000ft mast with the aim of procuring OBV in order to commence effective broadcasting, pending the completion of the main building project at Gbarantoru.
In the hospitality unit of the tourism Section, there was no single qualified persons to manage the area at my time. In the spirit of manpower development and capacity building, I had to send some workers for training in the North and have since returned as graduates in that field.
As a human resource manager, I always maintained good rapport, mutual understanding and favourable working relationship with my workers. And that explains why my workers were operating at maximum productivity.

GLORYLAND CULTURAL CENTRE

As Information, Culture and Tourism Commissioner, I received approvals from Governor Alamieyeseigha with which the cultural complex and its lightening system and furniture were completed.
The Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe was at its best at my time as Honourable Commissioner, as they won laurels in national and international events. Cultural festivals were promoted as every community that wrote for assistance was given grants at my time. To God be the glory.

MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS;

As Permanent Secretary and head of the Post Primary Schools Board in Bayelsa State –

1) I employed more than six thousand academic and non-academic staff throughout the state on the approval of His Excellency, Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha.

2) Received approval and established additional 60 post primary schools in the State.

3) Increased principals allowance from N7,000.00 to N20,000.00 per month.

4) Increased science masters allowance from N250 to2,500 per month.

5) Maintained regular and prompt payment of staff salaries and allowances.

6) Erring teachers and principals were disciplined to serve as deterrent to others through the disciplinary committee.

7) Strengthened school supervision in order to maintain quality and check absentee teachers.

8) The present office space where the board operates was secured by me through the former Head of Service, Deacon Bob Ozaka. While the extension at the back was jointly executed by the former Chairman of the Board Chief Dennis Otiotio and myself as Secretary.

9) My plan for the Post Primary Schools Board was for a befitting office structure to be constructed with adequate premises to accommodate the teaming population of teachers who turn up from time to time for office transactions. To this end, land was already secured from the Ministry of Lands and Housing with a special assistance from the then Honourable Commissioner, and former vice principal and now distinguished Senator Emmanuel Paulker who was a teacher before his appointment. The building project even had a budgetary provision of N50 Million but the inauguration of the Board slowed down the whole process of execution and it finally fizzled out.
Bayelsa State Post Primary Schools Board deserves a more befitting office accommodation than office and pull it presently occupies.

AS EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, BAYELSA STATE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION BOARD

My successful performance in that Board from 2006 to 2007 is underscored by the National Award given to the Governor of the State, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (former President of the Country) as the Most Teacher Friendly Governor, South-South Zone of the Federation. My footprints in that direction could be seen from the moderate achievements recorded hereunder:-

1) Within about a year in office, I was able to complete 95 building projects (six and three class room blocks) across the state drawn from the Federal Government Intervention Fund and the counterpart fund from the State. A visit to places like Amarata, Zarama, Ologoghe, Okpoama, Agbura, Oweikorogha, Ologoama, Bassambiri, Akassa, etc. will convince you.

2) Staff salaries were regularly paid on the 25th or 26th of every month. Just as promotion arrears and annual increments were paid as at and when due.

3) Headmasters imprest was increased from N5,00.00 to a total of N15,000.00 per month.

4) A total of N140 Junior Secondary Schools were established within one year throughout the State during my service.

5) I encourage Local Education Authorities to supervise their schools once every term, while the Board Headquarters also supervises throughout the State termly to enable the Board compare reports for necessary action.

6) One thousand Junior Secondary School teachers and 750 non-academic staff were employed by me on the approval of Governor Goodluck Jonathan within a period of one year.

7) All contracts were awarded with strict adherence to due process and transparent open bidding method.

8) To enhance the capacity of principals all were sent for a two week training at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) at Ondo.

9) Classroom teachers were equally properly trained by approved University Consultancy Services from the University of Port Harcourt.

10) In my desire to implement free Universal basic Education in the true sense of the word “Free Education”, examination fees were even paid for all Junior Secondary School Students throughout the State. Similarly, all forms of levies were instantly abolished.

11) Free books were shared to all Primary and Junior Secondary School students through the State.

12) Schools were adequately furnished with writing desks, teachers’ tables and chairs.

13) Finally, when I was suddenly removed from office on the 29th of July 2007, I handed over more than One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000.00) to the office. This itself is a resounding testimony to prudent management of resources and my high sense of honesty and transparency.

14) To further attest to this ICPC gave me a clean bill of health after a nation wide investigation of State Universal basic Education Boards in the country.

15) It may interest you to note that as a way of trying to establish reasons to indict me and ignominiously sack me from office, five panels were constituted against me, but I came out triumphantly.

All the spurious
allegations against me could not be established. Infact, the House of Assembly Panel that investigated the matter in their report recommended my immediate re-instatement and other member of the Board after a thorough examination of the issues involved. Consequently, the State Government felt obliged to pay us all our entitlements covering the remaining part of the four year tenure, in accordance with the provisions of the Law establishing the Board.
From the above score card, it is crystal clear that Mr. Agadaga is a man of proven integrity. He has been Tested, Tried and Trusted. He is infact, a prudent manager of resources and can effectively manage our finances to glorious heights. He is an achiever who will effectively and holistically transform the State a better BAYELSA. To God be the glory.

    *VISION*

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. Philippians 4:13.

My vision of Bayelsa is that of a joyful State, full of peace and prosperity anchored on social justice, fairness and equitable distribution of resources.

       *MISSION*

“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” Psalm 127:1.

When voted in to power as Governor of Bayelsa State, come November, 2019, my government shall achieve the above vision through the underlisted strategies:

1. PURSUE RADICAL EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT:
In pursuance of radical educational advancement in the State, my government shall ensure:-

A) Promotion of Free, Compulsory and qualitative education from Primary to Senior Secondary School Level in the State.

B) Embark on substantive bursary award for all under-graduate students in Nigerian Universities.

C) Award scholarship and in-service training for indigenous students undergoing Post-Graduate Studies.

D) Upgrade all educational facilities in the State.

E) Enhance the working condition of teachers and non-academic staff in the State.

F) Promote a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

G ) Improve the standard of our State Universities and other tertiary institutions and tailor them towards professionalism and promotion of technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

H) Establish 9 model boarding schools in the state (at least one in each Local Government Headquarters of the State.)

I) Establishe central Nursery Schools. (Early Child Care Development Centres “ECCD”), in the State as feeders to Primary Schools as to enhance the communication and numerical ability of pupils in accordance with the national policy on Education.

J) Human resource development and capacity building through training and retraining as well as seminars and workshops shall be vigorously embarked upon.

K) Ensure that all first class university products of Bayelsa State origin will be entitled to scholarship up to Ph.D level in any university of their choice.

I) Pay adequate attention to the education of the handicapped and the physically challenged so as to integrate them into the Labour force for meaningful contribution to the economy of the State.

M) Strive for the provision of qualified and sufficient teachers as the key to educational advancement in the State in this direction, the State College of Education shall be given proper attention and attractive incentives provided for students.

n) Our Niger Delta University shall be adequately funded to enhance standard and quality, as well as encourage research and consultancy services.

2. BOOST AGGRESSIVE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR:
Youth and peasant farmers shall be encouraged to invest in food production in order to attain food security in the State.
A) To this end, my government will collaborate with the Private Sector for the establishment of Agro-Allied Industries for food security, economic self reliance and employment generation.

B) My government shall pay special attention to the establishment of sugar industry, palm oil mills, rice mills, garri processing machines, fish canning and preservation industries, saw mills, poultry, as well as effective marketing strategies.

C) Similarly, Government shall concentrate on massive production of food crops which Bayelsa State possesses comparative advantage on. Such include, sugar cane, rice, oil palm trees, banana, fish farming, cassava, plantain, raffia palm, etc.
3. PROMOTE ACCELERATED HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT:

A) To achieve this objective, priority shall be given to the establishment of a functional Works Department for the prompt execution of certain categories of roads, drainages, estates, jetties, bridges, embankment, land reclamation etc.
In furtherance of this, my Government shall acquire earth moving and road construction equipment as well as dredgers for effective execution and road maintenance.

B) My government shall concentrate on construction of internal roads and drainages to put an end to the existence of monkey bridges in the capital city.

C) My government shall work towards the completion of the 3 Senatorial roads as a way of opening up the interland in order to attract investors, promote Tourism and enhance security of lives and property.

D) Collaborate with the Private Sector to provide low and medium scale housing estates in the State.

E) As a way of bringing respite to typical oil producing communities in the State, Bayelsa State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (BASOPADEC) shall be established to take care of virile infrastructural development in those areas with emphasis on provision of link roads, water, electricity, jetties and drainages.

F) Provide adequate water supply through effective reticulation of treated and purified surface water.

e) Boost electricity supplies in the state capital and ensure rural electric power supply.

h) In order to ease the cost of water transportation in the riverine areas, my administration will work towards the establishment of NNPC mega stations by the Federal Government at all Local Government Headquarters in the State.
4. VIRILE HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY

a) My administration shall make all the existing health facilities functional and put an end to “No Drug Syndrome” in our hospitals and health centres.

b) To enhance effective health service delivery, priority shall be given to well equipped and properly staffed health centres in all strategic communities in the State in order to carry out effective Primary health care service delivery.

c) Each Senatorial District in the State shall have one hospital upgraded to standard to serve as referral hospital to take care of patients from community health centres. Emphasis shall be on preventive medicine.
d ) Free Medicare: All pregnant women and children below five years and adults above 65 years shall be given free health care service.

e) Equipment of Health Centres:
Health Centres shall be properly equipped and manned by qualified Health Practitioners.

f) Completion of General Hospital:
Ensure the completion, equipment and commissioning of the General Hospital in Yenagoa to serve as a referral hospital to all the cottage hospitals and Health Centres in the State.

GOVERNANCE IN GENERAL
a) Steps will be taken to enhance rural telephony as a way of enhancing the communication ability of the citizenry and promote security.

b) I will promote gender equality through the full implementation of the much needed 35% Women Affirmative Action.

c) Provide adequate security on our water ways through the use of marine police, navy and vigilantes.

d) My government will attract Development Partners such as UNICEF, World Bank, UNDP, USAID, NGOs etc. in order to contribute their quota in the development of the state.

e) Erosion Control Land slide and erosion affected communities shall be given desired attention in order to halt all the washing away and displacement of communities.

f) Check Rural Urban Drift: There will be a deliberate policy to provide electricity, water, road network and local industries in rural areas as to check rural urban drift.

h) Provision of Jetties and Clearing of Water Ways: Jetties shall be provided to deserving communities and our water ways regularly cleared for easy and safe navigation.
h) Promote Culture and Tourism in the State and stimulate our youths and Bayelsans in investing in the Film Industry as a means of creating jobs for the teaming population of our youths and showcase our rich cultural heritage.

i) Overhaul and re-position all our media houses – Radio Bayelsa, Newspaper Corporation, Gloryland Television for excellent performance as effective agents of information dissemination in line with the global age of digitalization.

j)The Judiciary under my administration would be strengthened to encourage timely, quick and efficient dispensation of justice.

k) To operate an all inclusive government as to restore a sense of belonging to all stakeholders, and minimize hatred.

l)My signature has placed food on the table of over 7,000 Bayelsans in form of employment in the State and will ensure the creation of more job opportunities for our youths. This is aimed at reversing the ranking through Agriculture, Tourism and industrialization of Bayelsa as the State with highest rate of unemployment in the country.
My administration shall ensure probity, discipline and accountability in the management of public resources through regular internal and external auditing of accounts and prompt submission of reports in line with the freedom of information Act.
Promote the physical and mental health of individuals through healthy sports competition at all levels and strengthen youth development programmes.
Establish low interest housing loan scheme for workers.
The Chieftaincy institution shall be strengthened to enable them contribute their best as custodians of the customs and traditions of the people and as ambassadors of peace and mutual co-existence.
vote Mr. Benson Sunday Agadaga for Governor of Bayelsa State come November 16th 2019, Vote Agadaga for the primaries, on the 3rd of September this year. Vote the man of proven integrity, the achiever, the prudent manager, the anointed; for joy, peace, prosperity and effective transformation of the State. He is a grassroot politician, Tested, Tried and Trusted. He is a transparent Leader and an astute Administrator. Vote for glorious Bayelsa and guarantee our future.

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