Speaker, Edo state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Marcus Onobun ksc has harped on the need for positive engagement with representatives at all levels of governance rather than protests to draw attention to situations that need Government attention.
Rt Hon Marcus Onobun said this when he received members of Eguare secondary School old students association (ESSEOSA), who were in his office to felicitate with him on the occasion of his birthday as well draw attention to the deplorable condition of their Alma matter.
Rt Hon Marcus Onobun commended the association for deeming it fit to engage with his office instead of putting up stories on social media or engaging in violent protests which would not yield desired results.
He said the visit would spur him to ensure that the school is captured in the state Governments school rehabilitation program as the school is to house the mini stadium of the state government; stressing that the Assembly does not execute projects but draws attention to the needs of the people at the constituency level to the executive who in turn awards same.
The speaker thanked the association for the visit indicating that there is a lot of misinformation which had led to an earlier protest at the state owned AAU; maintaining that his duty first as the member representing Esan West and the speaker is to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
Earlier the president of the Association Mr Donald Osifoh intimated the speaker of the deplorable condition of the school which in time past was a citadel of academic excellence and sporting activities.
Mr Osifoh said the school has now turned into a Haven for criminals and drug addicts, while a sizeable portion of the school is being encroached upon.
He appealed for the renovation of the school and felicitated with the speaker on the occasion of his birthday.
Among the executive members of the association who were on the visit was the BOT chairman of the association: Pastor Sunny- Duke Okosun who made a presentation on behalf of the group to the speaker and prayed for him.
In the same vein, the executive members of Parliamentary staff association of the state House of Assembly were in the speaker’s office to felicitate with him on his birthday.
Leading other executive members, chairman PASAN EDHA chapter Alhaji Umar Farouq explained that staff of the Edo state House of Assembly have not had it this good in a long time, stressing that promotion
comes as and when due, welfare of staff is paramount to the house leadership.
Alhaji Farouq said with the Rt Hon Marcus Onobun leadership of the house, there has been more development and growth of staff; maintaining that the speaker does not politicize issues affecting staffs .
He prayed for God to continue to bless the speaker and give him more wisdom to pilot the affairs of the legislature.
Responding, the speaker Edo state House of Assembly Rt Hon Marcus Onobun ksc thanked them for the visit and for felicitating with him on his birthday.
Rt Hon Marcus Onobun said he has enjoyed a good working relationship with staffs and the union in the assembly since he became a legislator, and more when he assumed office as speaker.
The speaker promised to continue the open door policy, reiterating his plans to set a standard in the assembly that others after him would build upon.
He called on the union to extend same hand of fellowship to others after him as that would ensure more development and more welfare for the staffs
He said as the 7th Assembly continues it’s assignment at the House, there is a need to do more to improve the welfare of staffs and development of the legislature.
The PASAN EDHA chapter exco later presented a Birthday card to the speaker.