Pendulums are often used as tools for assessing growth and performance. Defined as objects attached at the end of a string or metal chain, when suspended from a stationary position, a pendulum will swing back and forth or in a circular motion.
The typical image of a pendulum is that of an object with four metal balls, such as that on an employee’s desk, also known as Newton’s pendulum. Alternatively, the image of a pendulum watch clock swinging back and forth may ring a bell.
Things are getting in place towards determining who succeeds Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as Governor of Delta State come 2023. First, with the rotation gone full circle, the pendulum is swinging steadier to Delta Central.
Secondly, in line with Governor Okowa’s advice, the DC-23 has pruned down aspirants from the zone from 12 to five and hoping to further scale down to three.
The job has however been made easier by the statewide acclaim of David Edevbie within the PDP, outside the PDP, among youths, women folks, public servants, students and local folks, as simply the best. The excitement over Edevbie ranges from his sound education, experience, proven capacity with track records, candour and charisma as a politician cum technocrat.
A graduate of economics from the University of Lagos with an MBA from Cardiff School of Business, University of Wales, and further learning in Investment and Development Finance at the world-renowned Harvard Business School, he cut his teeth at the globally reputed Barclays Bank, London, and grew to top Investment Executive at Hill Samuel Bank from where he was snatched by the Commonwealth Development Corporation as
Investment Officer for Asia and the Pacific, a position by which he contributed to the economic and social development of such nations as Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and the rest of the Asian Tiger countries
It was in recognition of these qualities that Governor James Ibori appointed him Commissioner of Finance from 1999 through 2007, to help establish the foundations of Delta State’s development journey.
It was in the same recognition of capacity, professionalism and invaluable contributions that Okowa chose him as Commissioner for Finance in his first term and Chief of Staff in his second term.
While he has contributed immensely to managing the development of the state and the agenda of the various administrations, the assignments accorded him the opportunity to better understand the development potentials, prospects and challenges of the State.
More than any of the aspirants, he knows best where Delta is coming from, where Delta presently is and where Delta is aspiring to in economic and infrastructural development, social services, the yearnings of various communities across the state, and funding requirements and the means to achieve them.
His experience in public service is not limited to Delta State. He was the Director of Finance and Strategy for Late President Umaru Yar’adua’s election and as a result of the excellent discharge of his duties, the President chose him as his Principal Secretary to replace his Chief of Staff and thus, to supervise and co-ordinate the policies, projects and programmes of his administration.
Edevbie worked assiduously at the Presidency to achieve the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and the activation of the Amnesty Programme which has ushered relative peace in the
Niger Delta, and the invigoration of the Niger Delta Development Commission. He was also the frontrunner for the actualisation of the 13% derivation, a commitment for which all Niger Delta States remain grateful to him.
