Dr. Sylvester Onoyona, a technocrat, real estate morgul, and a PhD holder in Organisational Leadeship from the Northcentral University, United States. The Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area born technocrat, now 52 is vying for the position of a Senator to represent his people of Delta South Senatorial District.
In this interview with Oghenetejiri Nyerhovwo, the Emede Isoko-South Local Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC) bares his mind on the need for an inclusive leadership, the need for quality and purposeful representation, human empowerment, growth, development among other issues. Excerpts….
Question: Can we meet you Sir?
ANSWER: Iam Dr. Sylvester Onoyona. I hail from Emede in lsoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, South-South, Nigeria. An adjunct professor, real estate investor and a philanthropist.
QUESTION: Please tell us more about yourself:
ANS: Iam a transformational leader. I believe in servant leadership that is result oriented. A politician that is sensitive to the needs of the people with special interest in youth employment and empowerment, capacity building, human growth and material development.
QUE: Your family background Sir
ANS: I was born and brought up in Oleh, lsoko South LGA, Delta State. Had my primary and secondary school there. Iam from a family of 15. I am number 9 and first son of my father from the second wife. I have 6 younger siblings. My mum is from Ase in Ndokwa East Local Government Ares, an oil-rich are in the big heart Delta state. I am married with three children. Iam from a Christian family, my late father Chief Japheth Ogege Onoyona was a President General and community leader in Emede and lsoko.
QUE: Please speak on your political model, philosophy and approach to life?
ANS: Iam a transformational leader. A progressive politician, l am pragmatic and humble. I believe in servant leadership, modest and inclusive. Iam a voice for the voiceless.
QUE: Challenges in your chosen endeavour?
ANS: Iam motivated to join politics by the poor leadership of the political class who have failed our people in their poor representation. I have the zeal to take my constituents out of the woods of human and mental poverty occasioned by dearth of leadership. The challenges of our people in all areas of life, with special interest in economic development and security.
QUE: Pls compare educational system in the United States with that of Nigeria, what are the major differences?
ANS: Going to school in Nigeria is tough for lack of basic amenities and support system. Schooling in the United States is more contemporary with better support system, technology and good educational policies.
QUE: What’s your political view?
ANS: Iam a progressive, l believe in one equitable Nigeria where justice and fairness is common demoninator. Our common wealth should be managed properly to the benefit of all.
QUE: Can you be described as a true progressive, when and how do you add to the value on National question?
ANS: Iam a progressive with shared value for our common wealth. I believe there is strength in our diversity and that’s one area we have not as a nation explored to the fullest. We are yet as a people unlock the potentials inherent in our national diversity.
The different geopolitical zones of Nigeria should be a source of strength to develop Nigeria.
QUE: Do you believe in the Nigerian project?
ANS: I believe in the Nigerian project with the belief that there is need for new generation of political leaders to take the country there. The old political class has failed to embrace modern economic policies and has slowed development and this factor has been militating against our national growth and development. The youths with visionary leadership mindset should be the change agents.
QUE: Your comments on Delta politics.
ANS: Politics in Delta State has been dominated by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership for the past 24yrs and there is little or nothing to show for it. PDP mismanagement in Delta State has taken us backward making the state one of the poorest in the country in terms of poverty and despondency. Deltans suffer the scourge of mass illiteracy, avoidable deaths occasioned by poor health delivery system, visionless leadership and poor governance. The time has come for Deltans to embrace new political view and policies that will be people oriented. A government of economic development of the state, job creation/ human capital investment, security and basic amenities.That is what APC will bring to Delta state.If PDP has failed the state, it is time for the good people of Delta state to give APC a chance to do the needful.
QUE: What is your area of political strength?
ANS: The management of people and politics of inclusion. I believe in succession strategy for continuity and development. Iam a transformational leader.
QUE: Do you think you have the war chest to contest and win first, the primary election of your chosen party and secondly, your opponent at the general election?
ANS: Yes, l have what it takes to win my party primary because financial challenge is not a problem, it is about new vision, leadership style and people oriented projects. Fortunately, this is what the people are craving for. I have the necessary required qualifications, background and experience to win the general elections. It is about new energy and likeability deeply rooted in general acceptability.
QUES: What efforts have you made so far to warrant your confidence in your people’s (Isoko)support for you?
ANS: I have a Non-Governmental Organaisation (NGO), Delta Youths of Today Association (DYTA) that l have used effectively to reach out to the people in the areas of youth empowerment, community development and education. I am a philanthropist with no boundaries. Iam the new face of lsoko and Delta politics. I have a major strength in the areas humility, courage and likeability.
QUE: If given the mandate by your people of Delta South Senatorial District, what areas do you think that needs urgent attention?
ANS: The areas of focus would be youth employment, economic empowerment, job for all and security.
QUE: Do you think you have the support of your people?
ANS: Yes l do, because lsoko and Delta South Senatorial District are looking forward to new leadership. The Delta South Senatorial seat has been dominated by one man for close to 20yearrs now with nothing to show for it. My project is the people’s project and lsoko Development Union (IDU) has made a statement that Delta South Senate seat is a must for the lsoko come 2023. Additionally, Isoko people have supported an Ijaw candidate throughout his sojourn in the upper chamber and the time has come for pay back with their solidarity and support given to that man who has achieved nothing since being in the Senate. The narratives must change this time around. The people want new visionary leadership with proper representation at the red chamber, that is what l stand for.
I have the overwhelming support of the leaders, women and youths.
QUE: What are those things in Delta State socio-political and economic development that you think would bring total change?
ANS: Bad and inept leadership and mismanagement of government resources if corrected would trigger change.
The good people of Delta state deserve good governance that will provide economic development, attract investors to the state, create jobs, provide basic amenities and security.
QUE: Generally, how do you see Senatorial representation in Delta State?
ANS: The duo of DSP Ovie Omo-Agege and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi have taken Senatorial representation to a new height. They have made the people know that quality representation is possible with enormous value added.Through Senator Nwaiboshi, the people of Delta North are more united than ever before, he has pioneered development in Anioma just like the DSP Omo-Agege is doing with clinical efficiency in Delta Central and beyond. He’s a big value added to representation at that level.
QUE: As a Realtor, what’s your view and disposition to mass housing project?
ANS: It is a good idea but management of such housing projects is always a problem. I prefer low income and affordable housing for all.
QUE: Delta state electorate yearn for human growth and development, how do you think this hydra-headed issue can be solved?
ANS: PDP has failed to develop the state after close to 24yrs in government with 6 generations of bad and inept eadership. It is time to vote for APC for a change for the better, that is the only way forward. If not, you will continue to get the same PDP bad government of underdevelopment.
QUE: Do you think your party is strong enough in the state to earn you victory?
ANS: APC is getting stronger in Delta state with Senator Omo Agege as Deputy Senate President and his all inclusive leadership role in the state. He has taken representation beyond his primary constituency for the time in the political socio-economic life of Delta state. APC has dominated Delta Central by having the senator, members of house of representatives, minister and other appointments, which is a good thing.Delta North now have an APC senator which is a big added value. He has changed the political firmament and temperature in the state. Delta South is the least developed in the state and the people are ready to boot PDP for out for the APC. We are in the season of political transfer and more good people are looking forward to joining forces with the APC to rescue the state and exit it from the woods.That APC strength is spreading and taking root strongly in other parts of the state is no ruse. In this contest, we shall take no prisoner, we are seriously desirous of uprooting that failed party, the PDP from our state at the polls. The people of Delta state are tired of PDP leadership of underdevelopment and are ready for APC leadership. This is about good and bad choice.
QUE: What’s your relationship with the leadership of your party and how do you think you can bring more members into the APC fold?
ANS: I have a good relationship with the leaders of the party. I believe in leadership and loyalty, we must follow leadership to succeed. I will definitely bring men and women of integrity, transparency and trust, l will bring personalities into my party and surely victory is ours. More like minds are joining the party, while those who don’t believe or are impatient of working for the party’s success are leaving. That’s what happens in transfer season. We allow those whose desire is to kill the party from embryonic stage to go out of our party, the exit doors are open for them.
QUE: If elected Senator of the Federal Republic, which of the committees would you perform creditably well?
ANS: Iam a team player and will function well in any committee.
There are four groups and three major ethnic groups, lsoko, ljaw, ltsekiri and Urhobo in Delta South. I believe in inclusive political approach and all the four ethnic groups will benefit from my leadership. I will establish constituency offices in all the Local Government Areas where we interface with the communities, know their needs for us to represent them accordingly.
QUE: In Niger Delta politics, who is your political mentor?
ANS: I believe in good leadership and all our leaders with the interest of our people at heart are my mentors. My constituents are also my inestimable mentors because the mandate reside with them.
QUE: Do you have a political godfather?
ANS: No, in God l trust. God and the people are my godfathers. Support from the masses of our people is very crucial to what we represent.
QUE: What are those virtues you think distinguishes you from others?
ANS: Humility, integrity, trust, courage and servant leadership style philosophy. My expertise and approach to life nay human growth development marks me out. I believe in bottom-top approach to solving the problem of the people.
QUE: You have four distinctive tribes in Delta South Senatorial Districts, how do you intend relating with them?
ANS: With humility, courage to serve and being sensitive to the peoples’ demands for economic and social development. Like I stated earlier, I will establish constituency offices in all the LGAs, employ service oriented individuals from within the communities to man those offices for accurate feedback system. With that style in place, the people can bare their minds in regular interactions with their Senator.
QUE: Do you see yourself as an Isoko man or a Deltan whose priority are the entire constituency?
ANS: I see myself first as a good citizen of Delta State and a product of the Delta Douth-Senatotial District.
QUE: Do you believe in power shift rotationally?
ABS: Yes, because it encourages inclusiveness and peaceful political sense of belonging.
QUE: Your advise to Nigerians.
ANS: There is hope for a better Nigeria, let’s join forces together to build a more reliable, dependable, stronger and a virile Nigeria where we can call our home. There is unity and strength in diversity. The best is yet to come for Nigeria.
QUE: Are you contesting to win?
ANS: Yes, I’m contesting to win. My winning will bring hope and better visionary leadership to the people of Delta South and Nigeria at large. Iam the peoples’ choice and agent of change and accelerated development. My people need me in the hallowed chamber to bring change to bear in their lives. It’s a new dawn and the end of an era, new beginning. We have had enough of failed leadership, the people of Delta South Senatorial District are tired of deception and wants. For the first time in our history, Delta State will genuinely democratise in 2023. May God richly bless my people.
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