By: Afolayan Timi
Over the past few days, the name Marcus Onobun has formed the pith of most political cum social discussions in Edo State and even beyond.
The energetic and ambidextrous young trailblazer was recently elected by an overwhelming majority as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA).
It noteworthy that Rt.Hon Marcus Onobun is not a neophyte in the Edo political set-up. He has a rich long-running history which bespeak of his immense capacity, and altruism.
The subsequent lines of this piece will be luminous exposition on the golden antecedents of this man.
Rt. Hon. (Amb.) Marcus Onobun was born into
the family of Mr. and Mrs. Issac Iregbeyen Onobun of Idumoza Quarters, Iruekpen, Ekpoma, in Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State. He had his primary and post-primary education in Ekpoma, before gaining admission to study Geography and Regional Planning, in Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, where he bagged a B.Sc. (Hons).
In a bid to satisfy his thirst to positively affect the lives of his people through the instrumentality of government, he upon graduation joined the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. (Amb.) Marcus was the Pioneer Coordinator, Action Youths for Oshiomhole, General Secretary, Edo in Safe Hands Group, Lead Partner, Esan Coalition, and President, Esan Peace Initiative.
A mobiliser and trail-blazer of no mean repute, Rt. Hon. (Amb.) Marcus rose to the position of Deputy Chairman, Together we can Great things Initiatives (TGID), a local NGO commutes to youth advocacy and empowerment.
He was also a Frontline Leader of the All Progressives Congress in Esan West LGA and a former Special Assistant to former Governor Adams Aliyu from 2008-2012.
Following his outstanding and incredulous performance, dedication to duty and penchant of progressiveness, he was elevated to the position of Senior Special Assistant on Youth Matters to then Governor (Com) Adams Oshiomhole in December 2012. He was right on every front.
Barely 4 months into his newly elevated position with positive and laudable initiatives that speaks volume and convinces beyond every ounce of doubt, he was elevated to the office of an Executive Director, Youth Affairs, Edo State. A position occupied until November 2016.
His a worthy role model of peace, one whom Edo youths across all divides are proud of his exemplary leadership feats, he is a Change Ambassador, Common Wealth Society of Nigeria, Youth Ambassador of National Youth Council of Nigeria(South South Nigeria) and Ambassador of Peace, Global Forum for Peace, Justice, and Human Rights.
In recognition of his sterling achievements, He has received several awards from religious, corporate, youth, and student organisations, among others.
In furtherance of his quest to ventilate dividends of good governance to the people through efficient representation, Rt. Hon. (Amb.) Marcus contested and won election into the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) representing the very good people of Esan West Constituency.
He was thereafter elected Deputy Leader, EDHA, following his swearing-in, Chairman, House Committee on Infrastructure, Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Member, House Committees on Education, Local Government/Community Affairs, Environment/Sustainability, and Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs.
He has sponsored several bills and moved numerous motions on the floor of the House. He rose to the Position of Chief Whip, EDHA.
Few months to the recently concluded Edo State Governorship Election, he joined Governor Godwin Obaseki to port to the Peoples Democratic Party so as to continue Making Edo Great Again.
By his election today as Speaker, EDHA, Rt. Hon. (Amb.) Marcus Onobun is unarguable, the Youngest Speaker EDHA has ever produced. He represents a beacon of hope for the Edo and Nigerian youths in general.
There is no mincing words that with the potentials Rt.Hon Marcus Onobun has exuded, he will catapult the legislative arm of the Edo State Government to astronomical and admirable heights in his spell as Speaker, even as we know he will continue to rise to become one of the iconic political leaders of our dispensation.