MILESTONES EDO LP CHAIRMAN, COMRADE OGBALOI BAGS POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2023

 By LEO EZEKIEL

The Chairman Edo State Chapter of Labour Party, LP, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, has uncommonly bagged the Edo State Politician of the Year 2023 award. The Award ceremony which had in attendance de-crème-de-la-crème in Edo State which is organized by the Leadership and Development Initiative Organization, a Highly Reputable Cooperate Organization to inspire People occupying Leadership positions and as well as promote good governance and impactful developments in the society. 

According to the project coordinator of the Leadership and Development Initiative, Mr. Duke Okosun states that the award is conferred on Comrade Ogbaloi based on his transformative leadership, rear dexterity in the administration of political affairs and non antagonistic style which had seen Edo State Labour Party moved from a low ebb position to a point where it has become a Party to reckon with in the body polity of Nigeria. 

The awardee, he says has distinguished himself as a humble, dogged, pragmatic and result oriented Politician whose leadership style has impacted on in general. Responding, comrade Ogbaloi, thanked and assured the organizers of the ceremony that the honour bestowed on him will spur him to sustain and work harder to improve on the already existing all-inclusive leadership styles to further promote developments and transparency. In his words “I am overwhelmed and highly elated by this honour. 

I am busy doing my best innocently, but, never knew some persons or organizations, are watching and fixing an appraisal about me from afar.   Yes, over the Years, I have played politics devoid of bitterness and that I think is the way to go if we are ready for our democracy to grow with the needed speed. “I dedicate this honour to Labour party, the obedient family and the ordinary Edo People who stood firmly with Labour Party to bring power back to the People” He however called on Edo People to be resolute and focused as the Governorship Election draws nearer. 

He states that his party, is working tirelessly to present a candidate that will bring good governance to the People if elected as Governor of Edo State. Comrade Ogbaloi further appeals to Edo Electorate to reserve their votes for Labour Party Candidate who will bring the dividends of Democracy to their doorsteps. Comrade Ogbaloi, was born in the early sixties to Chief T.A. Ogbaloi (a community leader) by his wife, Mrs. Ife Ogbaloi from Orake  Otuo, in Owan East Local Government area, Edo State. 

He attended Idesa Primary School and finished in 1976, got admitted into Edeki Grammar School same year for his secondary Education and finished in 1981. He was employed as a teacher and was attached to Iraua Primary School Otuo, where he did teach briefly before moving down to Benin City for a greener pastures.

In Benin City, the young Ogbaloi, was employed at "Wayne West Africa" an oil field services company where he got encountered with labour activism in 1986.  He processed the  advantages provided by the Nigeria Labour Congress and his union, the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees(NUSDE) an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and attended several seminars and courses organized by them at the Administrative Staff College, Badagry, Lagos NLC Hamattan School Bauchi, others were in South Africa and Kenyan respectively, He  was in the contingent of the Nigeria Labour Congress to the International Labour Organization,(ILO) session 106th, Geneva in 2017.  

At this time, Ogbaloi had gone through all the administrative layers of his Union, having served as State Chairman, NEC Member, Deputy President and Acting President.  He became the substantive Elected President of the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees (NUSDE), in its Delegate Conference, 2009 and automatically, a member of the CWC and NEC of the Nigeria Labour Congress, by his very rise to the enterprise level of his Union. 

Comrade, Ogbaloi who is currently a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA), attended the University of Benin and holds a Diploma in Public Administration, BSc in Political Science and Public administration and an MSc in Comparative Politics and Developments Studies. In 2015, Comrade ogbaloi was elected Chairman of Edo State Labour Party and ever since then he has given his best to reposition the Party. His tireless, dogged and pragmatic efforts has endeared the Party to all well-meaning Nigerians. 

These endless contributions have led to Labour Party parading Men and Women with high profile and Personality as Aspirants ahead of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Edo State come September, 2024. His unique leadership Styles led to NEC approval of one year extension as Chairman of Labour Party in April, 2023 in Asaba, Delta State to enable the party focus on the Governorship race. 

Comrade Ogbaloi no doubt has lived up to expectations, leading him to now  being recipient of many Awards, amongst which are "The Integrity Icon of Nigeria(ICON), Award of Excellence by the "Global Forum for Peace,  Justice and Human Rights" Award of Honors by "Edo Policy Round Table" He is a successful family man.