GOSPEL HANGOUT Session is a PROJECT on GOSPEL HANGOUT designed to promote personal and corporate brands. It features personalities from different industries to tell their stories, answer questions, provide insights and share their ideas with the world. Today’s episode features Pastor. Edi London Edi also known as The Captain of Industry, An Employer of Labour, The Philanthropist.
EDI LONDON EDI is a young Nigerian committed to disrupting the political system in Nigeria to make life better for all Nigerians starting with his constituency. He’s the Labour Party candidate for Emohua constituency, Rivers State. Welcome to GOSPEL HANGOUT Session Pastor Edi London Edi.
Who is Pastor Edi London Edi?
My name is Pastor Edi London Edi, The Captain Of Industry, AN EMPLOYER OF LABOUR, DE-Express Integrated Industries Limited, A Philanthropist
I had my first degree in Pure Management from The University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I have Worked as a Part Time Lecturer at JOEMARINE OIL AND GAS TRAINING INSTITUTE, WARRI DELTA STATE, and a Former Chapter Chairman : Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Association Of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Which so many Benefited from my position via Employment, Former Branch Vice Chairman - Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Association Of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). A Certified Clergy (Pastor With RCCG) And an Established Business Man till date.
I have spent the last years of my life serving and impacting in the lives of many individual outside and within my jurisdiction of stay and even in my community at larg , contributing to policy-making and human capacity building through Empowerment, scholarships, and Employment of Labour. I am a trainer, Clergyman and writer.
What informed your decision to go into politics?
My drive in politics has been a long seated drive . That drive came in years back when I decided to Sponsor So many candidates in Various Political Parties while in ANPP and PDP I have sponsored and supported candidates to vie for several offices like councillors. Chairmanship of LGA and Assembly member. Looking at the communities and the activities that have been going on in the area. I decided that we can be more. Being that I been well exposed and well travelled and London Business Man and the difference- there is such a difference between the outside communities and Rivers State and more importantly Ubimini in Emohua which is my hometown. I decided that there will be a time at some point that I will have to be in position to make decisions on behalf of my community and Rivers State and contribute my own quota to make sure that Rivers State become better.
You were in a another party before now and suddenly you switched to Labour Party. Why did you do that ?
My Switch to Labour Party was based on integrity and empathy. The party presented a governorship candidate that does not agree with what I believe in and represent. I feel like that candidate is an injustice to the people of Rivers State. They are taking the people of Rives State for granted and I decided to leave the party as a proof that I take my people seriously.
What do you intend to do differently if elected ?
I’m looking back at what people who have been in office in the last four years have done. They have done nothing in terms of laws and policies and any form of administration except in the last few days, where they have become a tool for witch-hunting. What I intend to do is to bring the dividend of democracy to the people of my constituency. There are laws and policies that are not in existence and I’m looking at sponsoring bills and policies in that regard. On the side, I have my six points Blueprint:
- Impacting & Transforming Constituency Projects
- Promotion of sustainable Peace & Security in the Area
- Accessible Health Care & Welfare of the people
- Direct Empowerment for Widow & Students.
- Operational Constituency offices and Functional Board
- Sustainable Livelihood programme and Skill Acquisition Trainings:
Through this, I can bring development and value to my people and not go back to the age where they just share rice and wrapper and bring nothing valuable to the people.
So why house of assembly and not other elective position? Why constituency ?
I’m going for house of assembly because a lot of critical decisions are made there as it affects the life of Rivers people and those that live in Rivers State.
Let’s Talk About Your manifesto
I was thinking and asking myself, how do I bring the dividend of democracy down to the doorstep of the common man? The truth is the common man might not appreciate laws and policies unless it touches the sectors that affect them directly. An example is a policy of street hawking and roadside selling which might affect their income directly. And all these decisions are supposed to come from the house of assembly. So I created what I call the 6 Points Blueprint as follows:
Impacting & Transforming Constituency Projects:
We will ensure life Transforming & Impacting Constituency projects such as light/electricity and road in the critical areas of needs in conjunction with the Rivers State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) & other governmental agencies in ensuring regular & constant electricity & accessible good road networks in our communities.
Promotion of Sustainable Peace & Security in the Area:
We will work with the traditional institutions, Chiefs, Youths Representatives & bodies and CDCs of the communities in Emohua LGA in partnership with the Local Government Authority such as Emohua Local Government Vigillante Services (EMOVIS) in tackling Security challenges and ensuring that peace reign supreme across the 14 wards of Emohua LGA.
In similar vein, we will work with the security local vigilantes & outfits as approved by the relevant security agencies in the state.
Accessible Health Care & Welfare of the People
In health and welfare of our people (constituents), we will ensure that there is availability of basic health services in our primary health centres, community built health facilities & General hospitals in Elele-Alimini and Emohua will be revitalized and put to use to functionally cater for the secondary health needs of the people.
These will be achieved through the partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of health, local, regional & international health intervention agencies in the state.
Direct Empowerment for Widows & Students
There will be establishment of Scholarship schemes and bursuary allowances tenable within Nigeria for indigenes of Emohua LGA in Secondary & Tertiary institutions.Establishment of sustainable livelihood for widows & elderly through regular visits via monthly/quarterly stipends.
Operational Constituency offices and Functional Board
There will be establishment of 3 operational Constituency offices for the local Government Council and 1 Constituency Office in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area for easy access to those who reside & do business in Obio/Akpor & Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas. This is to ensure that our people have access to us thereby promoting open door policy and representation.
All the Constituency projects, programmes and activities will be garzzatted and implemented by the constituted functional Board.
Sustainable Livelihood Programme And Skill Acquisition Trainings
We shall roll out sustainable livelihood programme & skill aquisition trainings which will focus in 6 thematic areas:
A. Mechatronics & instrumentation Trainings.
B. Creative Arts Trainings.
C. Electrical & Plumbing installation trainings.
D. Seafarers & Marine transport trainings.
E. Welding and Fabrication Trainings.
F. Agricultural Sustainable Trainings (cassava processing, livestock management, cash crops processing, storage and marketing).
The above 6 thematic areas are targeted at improving quality of livelihood in Emohua LGA focusing on the youth, young men and women thereby making the Constituency to be a centre for trained manpower hub for the identified industries.
We will achieve all these through synergy with the local, regional and National organizations like
What message do you have for your people, the people of Emohua Constituency?
The message I have for the people of Emohua Constituency as always been my mantra- BE SINCERE IN ALL YOU DO. The next election gives us the opportunity to rewrite our narrative. It allows us to look back and reflect on the life we have lived and the Rivers State that we desire. At this point in time, we need to be Sincere and Truthful to these great minds in Emohua to take an opportunity and make out a meaningful life that they can beat their chest and say they are proud to be an emolgan. We have to do away with voting for our bragging rights and begin to vote for for our human rights. To question again, the quality of people we put in office and to check their history and be able ascertain if they have what it takes to bring the dividend of democracy. I think it’s high time we look back and say to ourselves, we will no longer elect people into office who don’t have the credibility, spending four years in office collecting salaries and doing nothing.
I want the people to be sincere with whatever the stand for and be brave in their lives dealings. They have a credible son who is stepping out and willing to bring tremendous change. A son, who is not only talking about what he will do but also how he’s going to do it, to see that the constituency and Rivers State at large experience the best parts of their lives going forward.
How can the people support you?
Firstly, come out and vote for me that day.
We need volunteers and we are looking at new members. Of course, it’s a stretch on our finances. So we are looking out for financial support .
You can send a mail or find me on social media @Edi London Edi
Email: edilondongrassrootmovement@gmail.com
Phone: 08033411727
