ABOUT WEST – IDAHOSA Hon. Ehiogie WEST - Idahosa (MNIM) was born to the family of the late Hon. Justice J. O. Idahosa (Rtd.)of Benin - City 51 years ago. Ehiogie WEST - Idahosa attended Government Primary School- Benin - City, Kelly College - Benin -City, and the prestigious Edo College, also in Benin - City. He obtained the LL.B (Hons) degree in Law from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in 1984 and qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1985. He has an MPA in Public Administration, M.sc in Policy Analysis and Public Administration (PAPA) and various higher diplomas. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Policy Analysis at the University of Abuja. A prolific students’ union activist in his time, he was the Public Relation Officer of the Students’ Union, University of Benin (UNIBEN) in 1982 /1983 and a member of the Students’ Union Congress. As a Bar Activist, WEST - Idahosa became General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin - City branch in 1989. A position he held until he got involved in partisan politics in 1990. He was elected to the House of Representatives on the ticket of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in 1999, 2003, and 2007, to represent Ovia South - West / Ovia North - East Federal Constituency of Edo State. For twelve (12) years, WEST - Idahosa distinguished himself as a reputable, dependable, responsible and patriotic Legislator. His hardwork, articulation of issues, sagacity and oration were of tremendous assistance to the House of Representatives. He remained a formidable patriotic voice on all issues of legislative and national importance. His determination to build his legislative capacity has earned him certificates and diploma in: • Oil Pollution and Environmental Management organised by the Committee on Environment, House of Representatives, Nigeria (2001). • Petroleum Economics for Nigerian Legislators (2001) organized by Shell Petroleum Development Company. • Restructuring of state owned enterprises into the 3rd millennium (organized by Business -in Africa 2001). • Fundamentals of Petroleum Industry organised by the Centre of Energy studies, Lonisiana State University, U.S.A. • Parliament and the Rule of Law (organised by the Congress of Deputies (Spain - 2007). • Public Administration for African Countries organized by Perking University, China. He has had the esteem privilege of serving as : • Chairman, House Rules Review Committee (1999); • Chairman, Joint Conference of Committees on the Niger Delta Development Commission Bill (1999-2000); • Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (1999-2002); • Member, House Committees on Solid Mineral, Judiciary, Rules and Business, Water Resources, Information and Army; • Chairman, House Committee on Internal Affairs (2003 - 2007); • Chairman, Special Ad-Hoc Committee on National Security (2004 - 2007); • Chairman, House Committee on Interior (2007 - 2009). His leadership of the Petroleum Committee in no small measure added value to Nigeria’s oil and gas resources. The pro-active oversight activities, clamour for indigenous participation and review of industry standards were no doubt valuable gains for the nation. Under his leadership, the Committee on Interior of the House gained new momentum. His exposure of the Nation’s badly abused, faulty and unpatriotic Expatriate Quota policies has led to major reforms in Immigration policies and processes in Nigeria. His campaign for the rescue of the Nigerian Prison System has gained national attention. He contributed tremendously to the exposure of the faulty National Identity system in the country and played a frontal role in the consideration and passage of the Bill that created the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) which was charged with the duty of introducing a unique identification scheme and a supporting multi-purpose card. It was to his credit that the Nigeria Prison Services, in 2004, received its greatest budget in 25 years with a focus on the provision of health-care, transportation of detainees to and from trial places, appropriate feeding, sanitation etc. WEST - Idahosa chaired the all important Ad-Hoc Committee on National Security set-up by the House of Representatives to organise the huge Security Summit which took place in Abuja in August 2004 and declared open by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. His speeches, insight, rules interpretation and floor management at Plenary sessions qualified him for various awards. Among these are:- • 15 men who make the House move (Thisday - November, 2001); • Excellent Service to the Oil Industry by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (2001 & 2002); • Delta indigenes Forum Crusader of the year 2002; • One of the 60 Most Active Legislators of this dispensation by the Legislative Platform (2003); • A role model of an excellent representative by the World Youth Congress (2003); • Encomium Award for Political Leadership (2003 – 2004) as Best House of Reps. Member (South – South); • Invitee of the Annual Dinner by the British Parliament for distinguished Legislators (2004); • Award of Excellence (2004) for his ability to create positive impact by Courier Press Club; • Constituency Empowerment Award by Edo State National Assembly Forum (2007); • Long credible Service Award by Wave Magazine (2009); • Pace Setters Prestigious Award (2012) by Pace Setters Academy. He led several parliamentary delegations on International facilities’ visits and tours to Ghana, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Sultanate of Oman, Brunei, Canada, United Arab Emirate, Gabon, France, Italy, Thailand and Singapore. TENURE MILESTONES • Headed the Committee that made the Rules of the House of Representatives in 1999; • Pushed the Policy that restricted the concessioning of Marginal Oil Fields to only indeginous Companies; • Pushed and actualized the resolution of dispute over the Ologbo Oil Wells between Edo and Delta State in favour of Edo State; • Headed the House Petroleum Committee that recommended the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta in 2001; • Initiated and pushed for the actualization of NNPC mega stations in Nigeria; • Pushed and proposed legislation that led to the restructuring of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (including the creation of an Armed Squad for the Corps); • Proposed and actualized the creation of a special capital vote for the renovation of existing Prison formations and construction of new ones in 2003 – 2005; • Sponsored several bills including the Agriculture infrastructure bill, the Diplomatic Passport control bill, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (Amendment) bill and a host of others; • Chaired the Committee that marked up the Bill for the Niger Delta Development Commission; • Led several debates on the floor of the House including championing international campaigns for the development of the Niger Delta region; • Pushed and actualized the provision of adequate funds for the sustainance of the E-passport in several Appropriation Acts; • Provided hundreds of employment opportunities for Constituents of Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo indigenes in general, in various Federal establishments including Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prison Service, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Fire Service, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Petroluem Equalization Fund (PEF) and the Petroleum University in Delta State; • Pushed for the return of Bini Artefacts vide the Resolution of the House of Representatives upon motionmoved by him to that effect; • Pushed for the actualization of several constituency projects such as the Computer Centre in Usen Town, various health Centres, Schools, electricity project etc. scattered around Ovia Federal Constituency; • Engaged in several philanthropic activities including the provision of free educational materials to indegent persons, financial support for ravaged communities, and material support for the needy. • Pushed and actualized the inclusion of the Gele – Gele River for development as a Port through the Ministry of Niger Delta as part of Ovia Federal Constituency project; • Renowned for fighting corruption throughout his tenure in the House of Representatives and was once suspended by former speaker Dimeji Bankole for publicly criticizing his corrupt activities. A member of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), International Bar Association (IBA), the Petroleum Institute, London and Society of Black Lawyers of England and Wales. WEST - Idahosa extends his warm hand of fellowship to all.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 08:15:10 +0000